Tigers FC 2 (Nicolas Villafane 10’, 17’) def. Tuggeranong United 2 (Shane Murray 22’, Regan Walsh 90+1’) Tigers win 3-2 on Penalties

Tigers FC booked a spot in the 2018 Preliminary Final with a thrilling penalty shootout win over Tuggeranong United at Deakin on Saturday afternoon.

United scored an equalising goal in second half stoppage time to send the game to extra-time at 2-2, before Tigers were reduced to 10 men and prevailed on spot kicks.

It was Tigers that started strong on a pleasant afternoon as a rocket from Nicolas Villafane buried in the top corner 11 minutes in to give his side a lead.

Tuggeranong looked stunned and struggled to respond and when they failed to deal with a ball drop six minutes later Villafane was on hand to volley home on the bounce and give his side a two-goal lead inside 17 minutes at Deakin.

But this time Tuggeranong would respond well, and a strong finish from Shane Murray beat Jakob Cole in the 22^nd minute to pull his side back within a goal early in the game.

The contest was a spicy affair and a number of yellow cards were handed out in the first half as ill-discipline crept into both sides, but the game remained under control and scores remained 2-1 at the break after a pulsating first 45 minutes.

Jakeb Wiseman did well to keep out Nikos Kalfas early on in the second half and keep his team in the game, while Regan Walsh had an early chance from a set piece but was unable to convert.

United began to pin Tigers back in their own end and had the best chances of the second half including Aisosa Ihegie striking the upright twice, with Jakob Cole playing a hand in the second effort as he managed to keep the strong effort out off the post.

Cole was booked for time wasting as time wound down in the second half with his side up by a goal but in the first minute of stoppage time United found a way through as Walsh ghosted in unmarked at the back post to fire home and draw his side level.

Mitch Stevens’ side continued to produce the better chances as the game went into extra-time with Cole proving a tough nut to crack in goals, but five minutes into the second half Cole was given his second yellow card for dissent and Gaby Wilk’s side were reduced to 10 men.

Cody Nash was brought on as a substitute goalkeeper as the match looked destined for a shootout, but it was his opposite number Wiseman who ensured the game remained headed that way with a sensational save from a corner to deny Tigers a late victory.

Daniel Roberts stepped up first for Tuggeranong only to have his spot-kick saved by Nash, and Robbie Deeley put Tigers ahead with their turn.

Walsh got Tuggeranong on the board in the second round and Wiseman saved Tony Spaseski’s effort for Tigers to level proceedings up at one each.

But Tom Pagett skied his effort next and Michael Kita scored to put Tigers back ahead, and in the fourth round Shane Murray and Mark Shields both scored to leave Tigers up 3-2 heading into the final set of attempts.

Only one kick was needed though as Cody Nash saved Tuggeranong’s fifth penalty to send his side through to the Preliminary Final in extraordinary circumstances.