Melbourne Knights FC Official Website Melbourne Knights’ history making Australia Cup run continues with a Semi Final clash against Brisbane Roar at Knights Stadium on Sunday evening.
Knights are the competition’s only remaining NPL side and come up against A-League opposition Brisbane Roar for a spot in the final.
Here’s a look back at how Ben Cahn’s side reached the final four.
Preliminary Round 4: Melbourne Knights 6-1 Corio
Knights kicked off their Australia Cup run with a 6-1 win over State League One outfit Corio at Somers Street in April.
Felipe Sanchez and Ciaran Bramwell both bagged braces while Gian Albano and Mohammed Sumaoro were also on target in a commanding win.
Preliminary Round 5: Melbourne Knights 5-0 Box Hill United
Knights defeated NPL 3 side Box Hill United 5-0 in Preliminary Round 5 action at Somers Street after a late venue change saw the fixture moved from Wembley Park on game day.
The scores were locked at 0-0 at the break before Trevor Ssemakula netted a hat-trick and Luka Kolic popped up with a brace as a five-star second half saw the Knights march onto Round 6.
Preliminary Round 6: Bentleigh Greens 0-2 Melbourne Knights
Knights ran out 2-0 winners on the road in an all NPL Victoria affair against Bentleigh Greens in Preliminary Round 6 action.
Gian Albano put Knights in front from the penalty spot in the fifth minute after Greens keeper, Bon Scott brought down Ciaran Bramwell inside the area.
Corey Sewell secured Knights spot in the draw for round seven in the 61st minute when his deflected first-time strike from the top of the box found it’s way into the bottom corner against his former club.
Preliminary Round 7: Melbourne Knights 3-1 Yarraville Glory
Knights booked their spot in the 2023 Australia Cup Round of 32 with a 3-1 win over State League One side Yarraville at Knights Stadium in June.
It was the visitors who went into the break with the lead courtesy of a Dominic Yuel goal against the run of play.
Knights came out firing in the second stanza and found an equaliser through Luka Kolic, who directed a diving header into the bottom corner on the end of a Jack Morton cross in the 60th minute.
Mitch Hore put Knights in front with a volley following some slick interplay from the home side in the 75th minute before Ciaran Bramwell powered home a first time finish to round out the scoring five minutes later.
Round of 32: Melbourne Knights 4-1 Lions FC
Knights came away with their biggest ever margin of victory in the Australia Cup national rounds with a 4-1 win over Queensland outfit Lions at Knights Stadium in the Round of 32.
Gian Albano opened the scoring with a stunning strike into the top corner from the edge of the area in the 23rd minute after Knights pressing forced a turnover deep in Lions half.
Andy Pengelly drew Lions level ten minutes later but the visitors parity lasted just 60 seconds with a Mohammad Sumaoro header immediately putting Knights back in front.
A Sumaoro nod down then allowed Mitch Hore to get in on the goalscoring act against his former club before Albano completed his brace in the 79th minute to round out the 4-1 score line.
Round of 16: Melbourne Knights 2-0 Campbelltown City
Knights booked their spot in the Australia Cup final eight for the first time in their history with a 2-0 win over NPL South Australia side Campbelltown City at Knights Stadium in the Round of 16.
Knights found the 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 effort into the bottom corner to seal the 2-0 win in the 50th minute.
Quarter Final: Melbourne Knights 3-2 Heidelberg United
Ben Cahn’s side booked their spot in the final four with a stunning come-from-behind 3-2 win against Heidelberg in the Quarter Finals.
The Bergers raced out to a two-goal lead after 27 minutes through goals from Adrian Zahra and Kaine Shephard but Gian Albano pulled one back to halve the deficit heading into the break.
Knights threw everything at the visitors in the second half and finally found an equaliser through Anton Kinnander in the 91st minute when the Swedish forward turned home a pinpoint Ivan Franjic cutback at the back post.
The Knights didn’t rest on their laurels and found a winner in the 96th minute through Hore, who squeezed an effort from the top of the box past Pierce Clark into the bottom corner to cap an incredible comeback in a night that will last long in the memory at Somers Street.
Knights fans! This is it! Our chance at the Australia Cup Semi Final arrives this Sunday when we face-off against Brisbane Roar FC! Don’t miss you chance to see Somers St come alive. MCSC and Beer Garden open from 12:30pm. Fan favourites PRVA LIGA providing entertainment throughout the day. Stadium Gates open 5pm. Kick-off 6pm.
This one is not to be missed. Save the date and grab your tickets here bit.ly/AusCupSFTix
