Tigers FC secured a Hahn Australia Cup Qualifying Semi-Final showdown with Queanbeyan City after seeing off the gallant challenge of Gungahlin United, finally defeating the ten-men 3-1 after extra-time at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval in their Quarter Final match-up.
The dismissal of Bailey Dickinson moments before the final whistle, the midfielder sent-off after accruing a second yellow card, was a pivotal turning point, Gungahlin thereafter forced to attempt to cling on with a numerical disadvantage after a spirited second-half display.
The Tigers, who were the pre-match favourites, lived up to that billing by taking the lead in the thirteenth minute. William Akio sprinted down the left flank, exchanging passes with Augustine Bangura before his cut-back was inadvertently steered into his own net by Gungahlin goalkeeper Aiden Munford.
Having failed to net a goal in competitive football for over 400 minutes, their last having been Dennis Ayo’s 89th minute clincher against O’Connor Knights in the previous round, Gungahlin broke that drought in spectacular fashion in the 58th minute.
Dickinson accelerated into the penalty area and laid off a square pass to forward Luca Florez who controlled and lashed a stunning strike high above the head of Tigers custodian Willem Lejeune and into the top corner of the net.
At the other end, Munford made a magnificent stop from substitute Nik Popovich to preserve parity, Archie McGregor’s follow-up effort striking the base of the post, as Tigers sought to reestablish their lead, but they were forced to wait until deep into the added extra half-hour to do so.
When the goal came it was as routine as it could possibly be. Nik Taneski swung in a right-footed corner into the six-yard box and McGregor rose unchecked to nod home from close range giving Munford no-chance.
And Tigers were to seal progression in stoppage-time. Munford had committed to the attack and when the visiting team cleared, Tomohiro Ogawa fed substitute Nikos Kalfas who was to race away and curl in a finish with the outside of the right boot into the gaping goal.
RESULT
AUSTRALIA CUP QUALIFYING ROUND 5
Wednesday 7 May
Gungahlin United 1 (Florez 58’) Tigers FC 3 (Munford 13’ (og), McGregor 112’, Kalfas 120+1’)
