Canberra Croatia squeezed into the Federation Cup Final by the thinnest of margins as they defeated a gallant West Canberra Wanderers in a nerve-shredding penalty-shoot-out at Deakin Stadium, ultimately triumphing 3-1 from spot-kicks after 120 gruelling minutes had ended 0-0.
Wanderers’ stand-in goalkeeper, Ellen Brown, performed heroics to get her side to the denouement, her penalty miss forgivable amidst circumstances that saw the centre-back turned custodian push Isabella Barac’s penalty onto the post having earlier made a trio of superb saves to preserve parity.
Brown palmed a Barac free-kick onto the crossbar in the 52nd minute, followed that up by reacting smartly to smother a half-volley from Eliza-Jane Norris twenty minutes from time and, perhaps most significantly five minutes later, dived to her right to push a Barac curler around the post.
The latter effort culminated a spell of Croatia dominance, the home team visibly lifting in attack upon the introduction of record goalscorer Brittany Palombi, called from the bench with 68 minutes player to try and break the stalemate. However, Palombi drilled over when well-placed.
Wanderers had players throughout who stood up and were magnificent, but Emma Leonard was arguably the pick of the bunch, the central defender time and again foiling the Croatia attack with timely interventions and courageous defensive blocks and clearances.
In midfield, Audrey Ward was immense, here, there and everywhere in a bustling display that thwarted the much-vaunted Croatia engine-room. Further forward, Tamara Cochrane and Alexandra Gidis offered an outlet but, in the main, were well-marshalled by a solid Croatia defensive unit.
With nothing to separate the teams, the penalty shoot-out would decide the finalists and, after Cochrane, Brown, and Olivia Hicks all missed, Michaela Thornton drilled high into the top-corner to send Croatia through.
RESULT
Federation Cup Semi-Final
Tuesday 13 May
Canberra Croatia 0 West Canberra Wanderers 0 – after extra-time, Canberra Croatia won 3-1 on penalties
