Melbourne Knights FC Official Website Melbourne Knights are through to their first ever Australia Cup Quarter Final following a 2-0 Round of 16 victory over Campbelltown City at Knights Stadium on Tuesday night.
Goals from Mohammad Sumaoro and Mitch Hore secured Knights passage to the final eight just four days after the side booked their spot in their first ever NPL Victoria Preliminary Final.
After huffing and puffing against a deep Campbelltown defence Knights found their breakthrough in the 40th minute through Sumaoro, who was rewarded for his pressing when he capitalised on stray pass out of defence by James Boffa with the deflection finding it’s way into the back of the net.
Sumaoro then turned provider for Knights second when he cut in from the left and jinked his way through the visitors defence before playing in Mitch Hore, who sent his first time effort into the bottom corner to seal the 2-0 win in the 50th minute.
Hore’s strike was his fourth in his last five games which includes both of Knights National Round Australia Cup matches along with their Elimination Final win over Port Melbourne.
Knights join Melbourne City, Brisbane Roar, Adelaide Metro Stars and Western Sydney Wanderers in the draw for the last eight.
The final three quarter finalists will be decided on Wednesday night with the draw set to take place live on 10play immediately following the conclusion of those matches.
There’s no time for Knights to rest on their laurels as the biggest week in the club’s recent history rolls on with a trip to Avenger Park to face Avondale on Saturday afternoon in the club’s first ever NPL Victoria Elimination Final.
Speaking post-match Melbourne Knights Head Coach, Ben Cahn said his side were delighted to get the job done against a resolute Campbelltown side.
“It was another strong performance, it certainly wasn’t our cleanest and most clinical but cup games are about winning and doing what needs to be done to get through,” Cahn said.
“Having said that, I thought we had a few more gears in us if needed, we controlled the game really well but they’re a very organised team defensively, they work really hard and they’re difficult to break down so it’s a great result for us.
“The first goal was a little fortunate, but a reward for Mo’s (Sumaoro) hard work and it was the break we needed and from there we could have won it by four or five really.
“We’ve got a big job now to recover well and prepare for Saturday. We’re going in, in good form, we’ve got nothing to lose and we’ll go there with a lot of belief from the last two games against them.”
MATCH DETAILS
Australia Cup 2023 – Round of 16: Melbourne Knights v Campbelltown City
Knights Stadium, Sunshine North
Tuesday, August 29
Melbourne Knights – 2 (Mohammed SUMAORO 40’, Mitch HORE 50’)
Campbelltown City – 0
