Wollongong United hosted Hills Brumbies at Macedonia Park in the sixth round of the FFA Cup. The game promised to be an exciting one. A clash between two sides eager to prove their worth in the competition, with the winner essentially just one more game away from the National FFA Cup draw and a possible meeting with Kemblawarra Fury. Hills Brumbies (NPL2) featured several former and current Futsal-roo players.

The game began similarly to most games in the FFA cup this season, with both teams testing the waters, sussing out the opposition. The first 5 minutes were tense, with sloppy play leading to both teams reliving pressure on one another.

United’s Daisuke Yuzawa looks dangerous early, he stood up the Brumbies’ defence with some slick skills before letting a shot go, the shot powerful, however was directed into the path of the goalkeeper, whom made a very comfortable save.

In a turn of play, Hills were the next to attack, similarly to Yuzawa, the shot was struck right at the keeper, but Peter Cejka would not let his first chance slip. A wonderful strike from Cejka found the bottom corner. His first shot and a significant goal for the visitors who were put on the back foot early.

After their goal, the Hills players dropped deeper allowing United to hold possession for longer creating more dangerous attacks. An excellent run from Matt Floro from half way after he picked up a loose corner clearance, almost provided the hosts with the goal the desperately needed, but once again they struck the ball straight into the keeper’s hands.

After a display of poor finishing by Wollongong, the Brumbies would show them how to finish an opportunity. A ball knocked from the right edge, skimmed across the 6-yard box, finding Cejka’s feet. He had no issue tapping in the goal from close range for his and Hills’ second of the match.

It looked as if it was just going to be one of those nights for Wollongong, but in the 22^nd minute, Daisuke Yuzawa who had looked promising from the start, controlled a deep midfield ball with his thigh, keeping it up in the air, before chipping the helpless goal keeper. A stunning goal which somewhat shocked the visitors.

United should have completed the comeback after a collision between attacker and goalkeeper saw the ball ever so slowly roll towards the goal, before being cleared off the line by the Hills’ defence.

Neither team had any more chances in the half, finishing a very tense half.

Wollongong United 1-2 Hills Brumbies

The first half was very promising for Wollongong who were centimetres away from tying the game up. But football is a very cruel game. Between the 50^th and 60^th minute, the game would open up in quite extraordinary circumstances.

Two quick Brumbies goals in the 53^rd and 55^th minute found United having to really chase the game. Glen Kelshaw scored a tap in after Sam Nastic denied Hills twice in a matter of seconds, but the third was placed out of his reach. Cjeka would find the net for his hat-trick, this time in spectacular fashion. He drilled a shot from way outside the 18-yard box which struck the crossbar bouncing down and in. The shot was so powerful that after the ball hit the ground, it rebounded and extended the roof of the net. A thunderbolt of a shot which looked to have taken United securely out of the contest.

To their credit, Wollongong did not lie down. Wollongong United struck back in a matter of minutes as Milan Zoric was first to the ball after a huge scrap in Hills’ defensive area. However, just as there was a glimmer of hope, United would concede just two minutes later, after Eion Montford finished another follow up goal.

A fantastic display of attacking football from both sides in this 10 minute spell. Four goals and terrific attacking play, but United looked done and dusted.

Just over 10 minutes later, Hills would prove how clinical and how classy their attack was. Kelshaw would slot a magical ball past two United defenders which was met by Nikolas Dimitriadis who knocked the ball into the area first time. The first time cross found the head of Matias Toro who guided the ball into the side netting, out of the reach of Nastic.

With the hosts, well and truly out of the contest, Hills looked to ease up. Eventually, United broke through in the 90^th minute, but it was too little too late for the home side. The goal scored by Dylan Chaplin and was assisted by Yuzawa who was United’s brightest spark during a dull performance.

Full Time

Wollongong United 3 ( D.Yuzawa 22’, M.Zoric 57’, D.Chaplin 90’)

Hills Brumbies 6 (P.Cjeka 12’,19’,55’,G.Kelshaw 53’, E.Montford 59’, M.Toro 73’)

Wollongong United

M.Brennan, B.Brooks, M.Floro, K.Micheal, K.Miyakawa, S.Nastic, T.Noji, S.Swamy, B.Tsovolos, D.Yuzawa, M.Zoric

Replacements

D.Chaplin, J.Craig, Z.McLaren, N.Ristveski, K.Sekytkoski.

Hills Brumbies

A.Brucy, B.Robertson, W.Giovenali, E.Montford, S.Mitchell, D.Merrin, G.Kelshaw, N.Dimitiadis, K.Pace, M.Glenfield, P.Cejka.

Replacements

M.Zazantonello, J.Stancic, M.Toro, G.Gioveneli, N.Rayner.

Report by Liam Emerton