Cockburn bow out of Australia Cup to Brisbane City

Cockburn City’s Australia Cup run ended on Wednesday night as they went down 3-1 to Brisbane City at Perry Park.

Three days after their dramatic State Cup win over Armadale, Cockburn fronted up for another big cup tie, this time away to the Football Qld NPL side.

Both sides were restricted to shots from distance in the opening period, until Cockburn surprised the hosts with the opening goal on 25 minutes. A right-sided corner from Igor Cvijanovic was flicked on by a defender and State Cup final hero Daniel Robinson came in at the back post to steer home.

Brisbane stepped up the pressure after falling behind, but found the Cockburn defence and keeper Ryan Barker on top form.

The second half was always going to be a test for Cockburn so soon after their exertions on Sunday and they finally cracked on 58 minutes when Yuta Hirayama was slipped in by Scott Halliday and the Japanese striker finished first time past Barker.

If that goal was good, then the second three minutes later was outstanding. There did not seem too much danger when the ball reached Samuel Sibatuara on the edge of the area, but he fashioned a brilliant left-footed effort which flew over Barker and dipped under the bar.

Barker could do nothing about the strike, and he kept Cockburn in the game with a near-post block to deny Kye Bolton. Then Ivan Skorich had the Cockerels’ best chance of an equaliser but he shot too early and wide when he could possibly have taken the ball on.

Instead it was Brisbane who ensured their progress to the last 16 with a goal in stoppage time, and not without a hint of irony. On Sunday it was Cockburn who benefitted from a late penalty call, this time they were on the receiving end. Milan Ognijenovic, who had been on the pitch for just a minute, shouldered Sibatuara to the floor as the ball was running out of play and referee Alireza Faghani decided it was a foul. Substitute Brandon Reeves did the rest.

The result ended WA's interest in this year's competition. A-League side Perth Glory failed to reach the Round of 32, beaten in the play-offs by Newcastle Jets, while Cockburn's fellow NPL outfit Armadale went out to Football South Australia State side Modbury Jets last week.