A brace of second-half goals from Isabella Barac enabled Canberra Croatia to ease into the semi-finals of the Federation Cup with a 3-0 win over Tuggeranong United at Kambah 2.

Whilst progression was achieved for the visiting team, and they always looked in control of the cup tie throughout, Tuggeranong put in a performance that belied some that they have shown in recent years, showing a cohesiveness and togetherness that visibly rattled their much fancied guests.

Defensively Jemma Toms was a colossus, halting many Croatia attacks with a combination of silk and steel, whilst Claire Kennedy-Spencer proved to be a nuisance in the centre-forward role, her physicality ruffling the feathers of the Croatia defenders.

Croatia had a couple of early chances to break the deficit, Arusha Chew skewing wide from a glorious position after wonderful approach work from Michaela Thornton, the same player then denied by United stopper Isla Allaway, who would block a Barac shot in fine fashion in the second-half.

The visitors eventually broke the deadlock on the half-hour, Riley McQueenie adjudged to have been bundled over when attempting to get on the end of a Barac corner amidst a cluster of players. The referee saw the infringement and awarded the spot-kick from which Jamie Berkeley converted.

It took until twenty-six minutes from time for Croatia to grab the sealer. Barac lofted an effort at goal from some thirty metres that looped spectacularly over Allaway who was barely a yard off her line when the ball dipped into the net.

United tested Ellie Summers with a Tarah Manthongsy snap-shot and offered a threat via the pace of the rapid Acacia Argento but were killed off with twelve minutes to play. Awarded a free-kick midway inside the Tuggeranong half Barac took aim for goal, the ball spitting horribly off the greasy surface to deceive Allaway for the third.

RESULT

Federation Cup Quarter Final

Wednesday 23 April

Tuggeranong United 0 Canberra Croatia 3 (Berkeley 30’ (p), Barac 64’, 78’)