SUNSHINE George Cross is the last remaining non-Victorian Premier League side in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state Knockout Cup.
The giantkilling George Cross toppled the Richmond Eagles 3-1 in the quarter-final away at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Tuesday night.
The Georgies will head back to the cup semi finals for the second year running, where they will face top-flight Dandenong Thunder.
George Cross coach Tony Ciantar told the Weekly it was an incredible result for his team.
“I’m absolutely delighted for the club and the players,” he said.
“It’s a sensational result.”
George Cross had their backs to the wall before a ball was kicked in anger.
They entered the game on a short two-day break, while the Eagles’ match at the weekend was postponed due to poor pitch conditions.
The Eagles also had the benefit of the inclusion of a number of Melbourne Victory youth league players, who are young, fit and skillful.
And for the Eagles, this was the last chance for silverware this season, as they are fighting to stave off relegation in the league.
“They wanted to win something and get something out of this season,” Ciantar said.”That’s the way I prepared my boys, I let them know they had a lot to play for and they were fresh from having the weekend off.
“With our boys playing Sunday, we only had a two-day recovery. It was always going to be tough, but I told the boys if they would give me their blood on Tuesday night, I would would give them Thursday night [off] and give them five days to recover for their next game.
“They went out there and played their hearts out.”
Ross Thomson’s impact was telling for George Cross in central midfield.
Thomson controlled the tempo with his calmness under pressure and connected on the bulk of his passes.
“He played one of the best games that I’ve seen him play so far for the club,” Ciantar said.
Zoran Petrevski, one of a delegation of three Georgies goalscorers alongside Bobby Lojanica and Trent Waterson, was busy up front.
Captain Steve Martin showed his experience in the wide midfield role, while defenders Serdar Pir, Ben Shaper and Ryan Davidson hardly put a foot wrong.
Ciantar is confident his side has what it takes to go one step better in the cup than last year.
“We had a few players that had left the club and we had a few issues within the playing staff last year, so all of a sudden we found ourselves with a depleted side going into the semi final,” he said.
“This year, all the boys are here, we’ve got a good quality team and plenty of momentum, it’s exciting.”
Meanwhile, Green Gully Cavaliers have set up a showdown with South Melbourne in the last four, after a 3-2 win over FC Clifton Hill in the quarters.
