Tigers FC have sealed back-to-back FFA Cup Round of 32 appearances after a thrilling 5-2 win over Monaro Panthers FC in a fiery encounter at Deakin Stadium on Saturday night.
It was the perfect start for Tigers, as they found themselves in front inside the first two minutes. A dangerous ball in came to Josh Calabria, but the defender failed to control it properly and watches his deflection go into the back of the net.
Panthers would bounce back with a chance off a corner not long after, only for Stephen Domenici to see his attempt cleared off the line by Luke Dark.
The visitors would have another great chance as Sam Habtemariam shot from the edge of the box but was denied by a reflex save from Jakob Cole.
After a sustained period of pressure, Tigers managed to double their lead off a great counterattack. Receiving the ball in his own half, Josh Gulevski sent a perfectly hit pass out to Jay Kelly, before storming forward to smash the ball home.
Panthers would pull one back not long after with a great strike from Kofi Danning. Unmarked in the box, Danning cut back onto his right and fired the ball into the top corner.
It would count for little however, as Tigers restored their two goal lead from the spot. After being brought down in the box, Roko Strika stepped up to smash it home right before the break.
It was a much more tense start to the second half, with Monaro looking the more dangerous early on. Sam Roestbakken looked dangerous in the middle of the park, as he continuously launched his side forward.
It would be Tigers who would score next however, with Gulevski grabbing his second. Playing a quick one-two with Lachlan Harrington, Gulevski was again unmarked in the box and fired home to give Tigers a foot in the Round of 32.
Panthers would bring one back as Ben Basser-Silk got on the end of a deflected cross and hit an incredible volley into the bottom corner.
But it would be too little too late, as Tony Madaffari sealed the win with a great strike from out wide that sailed into the top left.
That would effectively be the final action of the game as Tigers sealed their place in the Round of 32.