By Steve Larkin
Sydney United 58 FC have become the first National Premier League club to reach the Australia Cup final, stunning Brisbane Roar with an extra-time 3-2 semi-final triumph.
A superb volley from United’s Glen Trifiro in the 105th minute was the match-winner against the A-League’s Roar in Sunday’s semi.
Patrick Antelmi celebrates a goal with Sydney United 58 teammates and fans.Credit:Getty
United will meet the winner of Wednesday’s night’s semi-final between Oakleigh Cannons and Macarthur FC in the cup final on October 1.
United twice came from a goal down against the Roar before substitute Trifiro’s extra-time strike at Sydney United Sports Centre.
His sweet right-footed volley came after an audacious mid-air side-heel flick from teammate Chris Payne played Trifiro into space.
Trifiro lashed a sweet volley into the net, ensuring United’s slice of history as the first non A-League club to reach a cup final since the competition’s inception in 2014.
The Roar dominated early and were rewarded in the 13th minute when Riku Danzaki scored from close-range after some a slick cut-back pass from Henry Hore.
But United hit back in the 24th minute when they turned their first foray into their attacking area into an equaliser.
The goal was well crafted: United’s Tariq Maia, from a central location, passed to Taisei Kaneko along the right and he delivered a pinpoint cross towards Matt Bilic.
Bilic reacted quickly against a flat-footed Roar defence, jumping and powering a header past Brisbane goalkeeper Macklin Freke.
Andrea Agamemnonos celebrates victory with of Sydney United 58 fans.Credit:Getty
The opening half finished with a flashpoint: Brisbane were awarded a penalty when United defender Jordan Roberts was struck on the hand when trying to evade a Charlie Austin cross.
Roar captain Jay O’Shea took the penalty but United’s goalkeeper Danijel Nizic, diving full-stretch to his left, blocked the shot to leave scores locked 1-1 at halftime.
But Nizic couldn’t prevent Brisbane taking a 2-1 lead in the 63rd minute when the Roar’s English import Austin scored from the penalty spot.
Austin crashed his spot-kick high and straight, giving Nizic no chance, after his Brisbane’s Hore was brought down in the box by a mistimed challenge from United’s Kaneko.
Glen Trifiro slots home Sydney United’s winner.Credit:Getty
The Roar’s lead was short-lived with United again squaring scores just eight minutes later via substitute Patrick Antelmi.
Antelmi turned some 15 metres from goal and fired a left-footer which deflected off the lower leg of Roar’s Anton Mlinaric and into the net.
The 2-2 scoreline remained until fulltime, setting up Trifiro’s dramatic extra-time winner.
AAP
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