Tara Murray
Keilor Wolves’ Australia Cup run has come to an end, but the FV state league 4 west side walks away proud.
The Wolves faced National Premier League side Hume City on Tuesday night, a side that plays in a competition six levels higher.
The experience proved to be the difference in the match, with Hume City winning 8-0.
Wolves coach Sofiane Soufi said they walked away from the experience really proud.
“It was about honouring the night,” he said. “There was a big difference between the sides, they are professional players and we are amateurs.
“We’re happy to go out the cup against a top team, we learned so many things.”
One of the lowest ranked teams to make it through to round five, the Wolves faced new ground on Tuesday night.
Soufi said for most of the group it was the first time playing against players of that level.
“The cup is a fun thing and you get the opportunity to play against higher league teams,” he said.
“Credit to Hume, they were great. It was a great experience for the boys. The pitch was phenomenal and the stadium was packed, it was like a big part of us.”
Soufi said that the fitness levels of Hume showed through and made it hard for them to get close to the ball.
After back-to-back strong performances, Soufi said it was good to continue to put their club on the map in Victoria.
The Wolves didn’t have long to rest, with the side back in action against Moonee Ponds United on Friday night in the state league 4 west competition, after deadline.
Soufi said they had a pool recovery session planned for Wednesday night, before resting on Thursday night.
“We will continue to push for promotion.”
While the Wolves are out of the cup, Melbourne Knights run has continued with a strong win against Box Hill United.
Scores were locked at 0-0 at half time, before the Knights got going in the second half, to win 5-0.
Trevor Ssemakula scored a hat trick, while Luka Kolic scored twice.
The Knights will face the Bentleigh Greens the next round.
Brimbank Stallions, North Sunshine Eagles and the St Albans Saints are among the other teams still left in the competition.
The Stallions will face Geelong, the Eagles will play Yarraville Glory and the Saints are on the road against the North Geelong Warriors.
