Harper Sercombe
Melbourne Knights’ dream Australia Cup run has come to an end.
The campaign that will now live in Knights folk law was ended by A-League side Brisbane Roar last weekend.
The Knights were the last National Premier League club remaining in the final four, marking a truly special season for the Brimbank-based club, reaching semi finals in the NPL, Dockerty Cup and Australia Cup.
While the Roar were eventual 1-0 winners, with Thomas Waddingham scoring in the 18th minute, the Knights were more than competitive, holding possession for 48 per cent of the time.
More than 5100 fans packed into Knights Stadium to watch the Knights take on the Roar, and did not leave disappointed with the effort put up by the home side.
Knights’ star attacker Gian Albano, who has scored four goals across in the Australia Cup campaign, was blown away with the support shown to his side.
“Very special night, I mean look at the attendance, it’s brilliant for the fans to come out, it’s definitely a 12th man for us,” he said on the post game broadcast.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t get the win, but it’s amazing the crowd that came out.
“It’s everything … it gives you that extra boost in the 90th minute, it’s amazing.”
Albano has been at the club since January 2019, with this match marking the end to his fifth season at the Knights, with a moment like this something he has been long anticipating.
“[It means] absolutely everything, I’ve been waiting for this for years, through COVID and all that which disrupted a couple of seasons,” he said.
Coach Ben Cahn has been fantastic for the club in his first season at the helm, winning the NPL Victoria coach of the year award in early September.
Cahn has spent time around the country applying his trade and has recently been linked to a number of A-League coaching positions. Albano said he is ready to make the leap.
“[He is] 100 per cent ready. Just the commitment he’s shown to us, flying in between here and Brisbane, he’s just had a kid, it’s amazing the commitment he’s shown to us, 100 per cent he’s ready,” he said.
While the Knights 70th season comes to a close, it is one that will be looked on favourably, especially the epic Cup run with victories to Queensland club Lions FC, South Australia’s Campbelltown City and NPL Victoria’s Heidelberg United.
The Australia Cup final will be played on October 7 when Roar take on Sydney FC.
