Melbourne Knights are continuing to break history, making its first ever quarter final in the Australia Cup.
On Tuesday night the Knights took on South Australian National Premier League side Campbelltown City at Knights Stadium.
The Knights were dominant in the 2-0 win, holding possession for over 60 per cent of the match and recording 22 shots to City’s eight, with six on target to none.
Attacker Mohammed Sumaoro opened the scoring account in the 40th minute. Midfielder Mitchell Hore added another just after the break in the 51st minute.
“I’m very pleased,” coach Ben Cahn said.
“We knew Campbelltown would be a difficult side to break down. They’re very organised, they defend very well. They’ve obviously done well in their domestic competition.
“We’re very pleased with the result and very pleased to progress into the quarter final.”
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news for the Knights with Sumaoro going down with a suspected ACL injury which would be a big loss with a big few weeks ahead of the club.
“It’s not looking great,” Cahn said.
“It’s a huge loss, Mo’s been fantastic all season.
“Even when things haven’t gone his way, his work ethic, attitude at training, and ability to put the team first and contribute when we’ve needed him, it’s been fantastic.
“He’s been very influential for us, it’s certainly a big loss.”
In the Knights, 70th season there has been plenty to celebrate with this feat sitting alongside the clubs preliminary final berth in the NPL which was played on Saturday night, after deadline.
“It’s been brilliant, this is the reason I came here,” Cahn said.
“I’ve watched [the Knights] from a distance for a long time and seen them under achieve, under perform.
“So when the offer came to have the opportunity to try and change their fortunes and bring some good times back to Somers Street it was a very appealing project.
“These are the nights and these are the weeks that I had in mind when taking the job.”
Knights remain as only one of three NPL teams left in the competition and the one of two from Victoria which is an incredible achievement in itself, whilst also balancing its league finals.
The Knights will play the other Victorian NPL team, Heidelberg United in the quarter finals on Wednesday, September 13.
“Both of us have done very well to get this far and represented Victoria very well,” Cahn said.
Harper Sercombe
