Victory suffer FFA Cup giant-killing

Published on: 22 August 2018

Melbourne Victory fell victim to the biggest shock in FFA Cup history when they were knocked out by APIA Leichhardt in a 3-2 defeat.

Last season's A-League champions trailed 1-0 at the break against the part-timers, and conceded the winning goal 10 minutes from time.

Two goals from Tasuku Sekiya carried APIA through to the quarter-finals.

His first found the bottom corner of the net in the 10th minute, and when he doubled the home side's advantage early in the second half Victory were in big trouble.

Kenny Athiu scored twice in the space of seven minutes to get Kevin Muscat's team back level by the midpoint of the second half.

However, Nathan Millgate headed home the winner from a well-weighted free kick.

APIA, who play in the NPL NSW, are one of three teams from outside the A-League to have made it through to the last eight.

Their win came a week after they lost 5-3 on penalties to Sydney United in the first week of the NPL Finals.

Sekiya said: "It was a big win, I'm just exhausted, in the last 10 minutes, I just copped it and it was very hard.

"Before the game everyone was saying we'll make history. It was my first time playing against an A-League team so it's a massive win.

"I think everyone definitely had sore muscles and were cramping. We were tired, but it was a mental battle."

Jai Ingham and Kosta Barbarouses missed opportunities against the part-timers in the first half, and were made to pay when Seika powered past Matthew Acton two minutes after the break.

Athiu pulled a goal back with a neat first-time finish after Barbarouses picked him out in the area, and made it 2-2 with a tap-in after Ingham's header rebounded off the post.

Melbourne Victory are 9/2 to win the A-League Grand Final.

Victory are 17/10 to win their first game of the season against Melbourne City, who are 7/5 with the draw 13/5.

View all Soccer betting

Melbourne Victory fell victim to the biggest shock in FFA Cup history when they were knocked out by APIA Leichhardt in a 3-2 defeat.

Last season's A-League champions trailed 1-0 at the break against the part-timers, and conceded the winning goal 10 minutes from time.

Two goals from Tasuku Sekiya carried APIA through to the quarter-finals.

His first found the bottom corner of the net in the 10th minute, and when he doubled the home side's advantage early in the second half Victory were in big trouble.

Kenny Athiu scored twice in the space of seven minutes to get Kevin Muscat's team back level by the midpoint of the second half.

However, Nathan Millgate headed home the winner from a well-weighted free kick.

APIA, who play in the NPL NSW, are one of three teams from outside the A-League to have made it through to the last eight.

Their win came a week after they lost 5-3 on penalties to Sydney United in the first week of the NPL Finals.

Sekiya said: "It was a big win, I'm just exhausted, in the last 10 minutes, I just copped it and it was very hard.

"Before the game everyone was saying we'll make history. It was my first time playing against an A-League team so it's a massive win.

"I think everyone definitely had sore muscles and were cramping. We were tired, but it was a mental battle."

Jai Ingham and Kosta Barbarouses missed opportunities against the part-timers in the first half, and were made to pay when Seika powered past Matthew Acton two minutes after the break.

Athiu pulled a goal back with a neat first-time finish after Barbarouses picked him out in the area, and made it 2-2 with a tap-in after Ingham's header rebounded off the post.

Melbourne Victory are 9/2 to win the A-League Grand Final.

Victory are 17/10 to win their first game of the season against Melbourne City, who are 7/5 with the draw 13/5.

View all Soccer betting

Source: bet365.com

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