Canberra Croatia secured a Federation Cup Semu-Final against Gungahlin United as they finally bested Canberra Olympic, by the thinnest of margins, as Jamie Berkeley’s early second-half goal proved the difference in the last-eight clash at the Australian Institute of Sport.

After the blues had ousted the reds in their last two Federation Cup duels, a goal three minutes after the restart from midfield schemer Berkeley, proved enough to see Croatia through in this clash of the giants.

Bessie Riethmuller’s glorious opportunity within a minute of kick-off seemed to be steering the game towards a similar outcome as the last five times these two teams met, but the forward steered her shot the wrong side of the post when taking advantage of a ball over the head of Zoe Sobczak.

Canberra Croatia, lining up in an offensive 3-43-, decided replied in kind, bringing the fight to the reigning WNPL champions. By the end of the first half, Tatum Mazis had forced Victoria Jamieson to a last second slide tackle to avoid a sure goal, Isabella Barac had hit the crossbar, and the Diane Wilson – Ella Palframan –Berkeley trio had taken over the midfield.

Palframan was immensely impressive, showing physicality and a willingness to track back that stifled Olympic at source.

The second act started ideally for the visitors. A clearance from the Olympic defence bounced fortuitously off Tatum Mazis and fell perfectly for Barac. There was still plenty to do, but Barac weighted a perfect ball into the path of Berkeley, whose powerful right foot shot from inside the area left Janet King, untroubled until then, no chance.

Rather than sitting low and defending, Zoran Glavinic’s side kept the pressure up, spending minutes at a time in the Olympic half, without necessarily finding an opening for the second goal.

Olympic very nearly earned their equaliser thanks to new entrant Ella-Rose Brown, who saw consecutive chances hit the post, and fly over the crossbar., after brave goalkeeping from Ellie Summers had denied Jaya Bowman. Summers then diverted an angled drive from Tehya Aspland away for a corner.

Try as they might, Olympic could not find the leveller and Canberra Croatia joined Gungahlin United in the semi-final. It is Olympic’s first loss of the season, as well as their first game without finding the back of the net in 2024.

RESULT

Wednesday 24 April

Federation Cup Quarter Final

Canberra Olympic 0 Canberra Croatia 1 (Berkeley 48’)