In a later kick-off on Sunday, August 25, South Melbourne FC edged out Brisbane Olympic FC 3-2 in a match that went into extra time.
South Melbourne took the lead 26 minutes in when Maximilian Mikkola launched a long throw from the left touchline into the box. The ball dropped at Marko Jankovic’s feet, who drove a shot past Matthew Lugo in the Olympic goal.
Olympic restored parity after a series of promising opportunities 10 minutes later. Lathan Dunn whipped in a right-sided cross that came through to Linden Farr at the far post, where the winger bundled home.
The game was stopped for an extended period as a thunderstorm gathered overhead at Lakeside Stadium.
Dunn turned scorer soon after the resumption to put Olympic into the lead. He sprinted down the right and lifted a delicate finish over Javier Lopez to give the visitors a halftime advantage.
South Melbourne spent the second half putting their opponents under pressure as they searched for an equaliser.
They had a golden chance to equalise 86 minutes in when Harrison Sawyer earned a penalty. The forward took responsibility but saw his low effort saved by Lugo.
The goal finally arrived in the 90th minute when the ball came to Ross Archibald on the edge of the box, and he sweetly hit a shot high into the goal.
Despite South Melbourne restricting Olympic to only two shots on target — both of which they scored — the game went into extra time.
Within the first few minutes of extra time, South Melbourne took the lead. Jankovic stood over a wide right free-kick near halfway. He spotted Lugo off his line and curled his long-range strike over the goalkeeper and into the goal.
The home side saw out the rest of extra time to secure their place in the quarter-final of the Australia Cup.
During the match, the memory of the late Jim Armstrong was honoured.
The President of South Melbourne, Nick Maikousis, placed a wreath on the photo of Mr Armstrong along with his jersey.
South Melbourne competed with black armbands, while it is worth noting that Armstrong’s funeral will be held Thursday, August 29 from 1pm at Lakeside Stadium, as was his wish. After the crematorium, his ashes will be scattered on the field of the stadium.
