Harper Sercombe
Western United is through to the Australia Cup quarter-finals for the first time after downing Gold Coast Knights 2-0 in a thrilling round of 16 clash on Wednesday night.
The Knights started the match much more comfortably on their home turf, immediately putting United under pressure in the opening exchanges.
It was an end-to-end first half but despite plenty of chances at both ends, the game was still awaiting its first goal when the referee blew for half-time.
The opening to the second half was nowhere near as chaotic as the beginning to the first half with United able to calm things down and hold more possession early on.
A brilliantly worked free kick finally found the opening goal at the 72nd minute mark as Lachie Wales clipped the ball to Josh Risdon at the back post and the captain put his header in a brilliant position across the face of goal. A Knights defender slid in knocking the back to the back of the net as it went down as an own goal.
In injury time young midfielder Matthew Grimaldi put the ball into the bottom right corner thanks to a Michael Ruhs assist following a fast break to give them the 2-0 win.
The goal capped off a good night’s work for United, who navigated a difficult test to come away with the victory.
United midfielder Seb Pasquali said it was a tough task but one that was expected at this late stage of the tournament.
“We showed a bit of character, it was a really good hit out for us so early in our pre season preparation, so we’re all pretty happy to move onto the next stage,” he said.
“They were putting a fair bit of pressure on us and we just had to sustain it.
“Stick to our structure and ultimately at the end we were able to capitalise on some of the chances we created.”
United will face fellow A-League side Sydney FC away from home in the last eight as the race for the first trophy of the season continues.
“Sydney are always tough opposition,” Pasquali said.
“We expect nothing less than a tough game. We’ve just got to bring our best and bring the right attitude and mentality.
“Continue with our pre season preparation and view it as another opportunity to win.”
With United’s A-League campaign kicking off on October 21, every win will build momentum as the season gets closer.
“Pre-season’s been great so far,” Pasquali said.
“We’ve been training really hard, we’re developing some really good team camaraderie.
“We’re really building on our game style and our gameplay with all the new players who have come into the club this year, they’re all getting accustomed to the way we want to play and enter the culture that we want to develop.
“It’s really quite positive and energetic.”
United will face Sydney in the semi finals on Wednesday, September 13.
