Oakleigh Cannons FC
Macarthur FC
 
Australia Cup SF
Jack Edwards Reserve
2022-09-14T09:30:00+00:00
Attendance
5,200
tv
#OAKvMAC

WATCH: Free-scoring Macarthur FC march into Australia Cup Final 2022

Macarthur FC have reached the Australia Cup 2022 Final in just its second season in the competition, coming from behind to defeat Oakleigh Cannons 5-2 at Jack Edwards Reserve on Wednesday night.

The Bulls will meet Sydney United 58 in the decider on Saturday, October 1 following the fiery contest.

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Joe Guest’s absolute screamer midway through the first-half meant that another ‘cupset’ appeared on the cards following United’s scalp of Brisbane Roar just three days ago.

However, any chance of that was quickly dashed by a rampant Bulls outfit, inspired in large by captain Ulises Davila and Daniel Arzani.

The pair struck twice on the stroke of half-time to extinguish the lead and then the duo each converted a penalty either side of Jake Hollman’s long-range pearler.

Wade Dekker scored a header off a corner late on, but it was merely a consolation for the Cannons whose dream cup run comes to an end.

The visitors squandered the chance to take an early lead when Lachlan Rose’s tame finish failed to trouble Lewis Italiano inside two minutes.

Arzani then tested the palms of the Oakleigh shot-stopper with a pair of dipping free-kicks but Italiano was equal to both attempts.

The Bulls had not conceded heading into the semi-final clash and it took a sensational half-volleyed strike from Guest to finally breach their goal.

The Englishman let a throw-in run across his body before his effort caught Nicholas Suman by surprise on 24 minutes for his fourth goal of the tournament.

The goal, arriving somewhat against the run of play, sent the Cannons’ faithful into a frenzy.

But a suspected serious knee injury to defender Aryn Williams coincided with Oakleigh’s demise. It was a massive blow for the Cannons and the Bulls took full advantage.

Davila dribbled through on goal and unleashed a sublime finish into the bottom corner in the 44th minute and then deep into first-half added time, Arzani rifled home from inside the six-yard box with Al Hassan Toure’s deflected cross – following some impressive wing play – falling kindly for his fellow forward.

Ten minutes into the second stanza Macarthur made it 3-1 after Arzani won and subsequently converted his spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Three minutes later, Hollman put the match beyond doubt with a scintillating curling strike from outside the box off Toure’s cut-back – his second assist of the night.

On 64 minutes Arzani won another penalty, and despite being on a hat-trick, allowed Davila to step up and the Mexican midfielder nonchalantly placed his finish past Italiano to net the Bulls’ 17th goal in the cup this season.

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Dekker grabbed one back in the 81st minute but the damage was already done for the Cannons, who regardless of the loss still enjoyed a successful 2022 after being crowned NPL Victoria Champions last weekend with a 5-0 win against South Melbourne.

And before the action was over there was still another moment which personified the ‘Magic Of The Cup’ mantra. 

An injury crisis hit Oakleigh Cannons at the goalkeeper position in all grades above their under 14s. Needing a back up goalkeeper in the Round of 16 they turned to 13-year-old Ymer Abili. At 5-2 down late in the game, Oakleigh Head Coach Chris Taylor decided to give the youngster his opportunity to make history.

The Australia Cup 2022 Final will be held in Sydney on Saturday, 1 October at 7.45pm AEST and broadcast nationally on Channel 10.

Football Australia will confirm the venue and ticketing details within the next 48 hours. Monitor Football Australia and Australia Cup websites and social media for details.