Harper Sercombe
Melbourne Knights are through to a historic Australia Cup semi final.
The Knights found themselves two goals down at the 25th minute mark of the match following scores from Heidelberg United’s Adrian Zahra and Kaine Sheppard.
Just four minutes after United’s second goal, the Knights found the back of the net with Gian Albano halving the deficit half an hour in, to give the side some hope as they went into the break.
The Knights continued their search for an equalising goal throughout the second half when Anthony Lesiotis was sent off for Heidelberg in the 80th minute.
Pressure finally paid off for Melbourne Knights in the 91st minute with Anton Kinnander scoring from close range, equaling the tally.
The hosts didn’t give up on their serge managing to grab the winning goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time through Mitchell Hore.
Giving the Knights a 3-2 win in one of the most epic games of the tournament.
Knight’s coach Ben Cahn said it was a fantastic win for his side.
“I would have preferred to have a comfortable three nil win,” he said with a laugh.
“But for the neutral and for everybody at the game and interested in the game I think the finish was incredible and we were obviously happy to be at the right end of it.”
With the 90 minute mark hitting, and into injury time Cahn was well within his rights to begin feeling nervous, but the first season Knights coach said he was actually the opposite.
“I was actually very calm,” he said.
“The boys had good momentum, they had a player down, and we had a good feeling.
“I knew we’d have a fair bit of time added on, given the time that they tried to waste and a couple of injuries, so I knew there would be time and we’d probably get one more chance to get ourselves back in it.
“I probably didn’t imagine at that point that we’d get two chances and winning it.”
Now the Knights are the last remaining National Premier League side in the cup, amongst three A-League sides, which is much to the delight of Cahn.
“To be where we are and to be the only club standing is a huge achievement and it’s certainly not lost on us how lucky we are to be where we are and hopefully we can go on and make the most of it.”
