After a round of surprising victories and close encounters, Queensland’s qualifying teams for the FFA Cup Round of 32 have been confirmed.
A surprise elimination of a Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) powerhouse and a penalty shootout nail-biter featured in Round 7 of the FFA Cup.
Gold Coast Knights 1 def. by Brisbane Strikers 5
Brisbane Strikers are through to the national stages of the FFA Cup for a fourth time after defeating NPL Queensland peers Gold Coast Knights in their Round 7 clash on Friday night.
The hosts took an early lead thanks to Jayden Prasad’s deflected shot in the sixth minute, but Strikers hit back to head into the break on level terms.
Many fancied Knights’ chances in front of a home crowd and against mid-table NPL Queensland side Strikers, but the visitors dominated the second half, scoring an impressive four goals to deny Knights their second straight Round of 32 appearance.
A double to Zach Maltby and goals to Jake McLean, Andy Pengelly and Fraser Hills helped Strikers to their convincing Round 7 victory.
Surfers Paradise Apollo 1 def. by Olympic FC 2
NPL Queensland’s Olympic FC have booked their spot in the FFA Cup Round of 32 for a second straight year after defeating Surfers Paradise Apollo 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 29th minute through Shelford Dais, taking a 1-0 lead into the break before Surfers Paradise Apollo hit back to equalise in the 71st minute.
Having previously knocked NPL Queensland side Moreton Bay United out of the competition, the Gold Coast Premier League team worked hard to produce another cupset, but an 80th minute Chris Lucas goal was enough to secure the win for Olympic and lock in their place in the FFA Cup national stages.
Brothers Townsville 1 (2) def. by Magpies Crusaders 1 (3)
Magpies Crusaders secured their spot in the Round of 32 in dramatic fashion, defeating Brothers Townsville 3-2 on penalties in their Round 7 match.
While the visitors were favourites, a strong performance from Brothers Townsville in their Round 6 win against FNQ Premier League side Leichhardt FC gave the hosts some confidence coming into this match.
The confidence was evident throughout the game, with the teams unable to be split and scores locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes before NPL Queensland side Magpies prevailed in the penalty shootout to book their maiden appearance in the FFA Cup national stages.
Coomera SC 2 def. Logan Lightning 1
Gold Coast Premier League side Coomera SC have booked a spot for their debut appearance in the Round of 32, defeating FQPL side Logan Lightning in a surprising 2-1 victory on Saturday night in Round 7 of the FFA Cup.
Having beaten another FQPL team in Holland Park Hawks in Round 6, Coomera continued their winning streak to knock top two FQPL side Logan Lightning out of the cup competition.
A very late goal to the visitors proved only consolation as Coomera became the only Gold Coast team to progress to the national stages of the FFA Cup for 2019.
The Round of 32 draw will be held on Wednesday, 26 June.
Image: Alison Langevad/Magpies Crusaders