They’ve done it. Bentleigh Greens defied the odds and progressed to the round of 16 in the FFA Cup, the fourth Greek sponsored team to do so.
The Greens join Olympic FC, Sydney Olympic and fellow local team South Springvale (Aris) to contest the national football cup.
All four teams might be pitted against an A-League Club when the round is decided later this month.
Amazingly, one of the first A-League upsets saw Western Sydney Wanderers, the A-League grand finalists get knocked out by NPL club Adelaide City last night, falling 0-1.
Bentleigh Greens also caused an upset for Sydney side Blacktown City on their own home turf, heading the winning goal 40 minutes into the game from Melbourne Victory NYL player David Stirton.
The home side upped the pressure in the second half but just couldn’t find an equaliser.
A mixture of wasteful finishing and some superb saves from Greens goal-keeper Alistair Bray ensured the Victorian NPL club would spring the upset on the road and progress to the last 16.
In the other match of the night, newly re-branded Melbourne City got its début, but sadly couldn’t do enough to secure their first major win, succumbing to Sydney FC under new coach Graham Arnold.
A pair of penalties in extra time from Ali Abbas was the clincher for Sydney FC, who in the end defeat Melbourne City 3-1.
Source: FFA Cup