South Melbourne put up a strong fight but ultimately the might of reigning A-League premiers Auckland FC won out as they knocked out the Victorian club from the Australia Cup.
The New Zealand side defeated Hellas 0-3 in their Round of 16 clash at Lakeside Stadium on Wednesday evening, bringing a swift end to the NPL team’s cup run.
South Melbourne made their presence known throughout the contest, having even recorded the first chance of the game in the second minute when Nahuel Bonada forced a good save out of keeper Michael Woud at the bottom left corner.
Auckland soon, however, took control of the game in the 17th minute when a quickfire, first-time shot from Jesse Randall in the box found its way into the net.
Hellas recomposed themselves and looked settled enough to potentially get back in the game, but a failed headed clearance in the box by Jackson Painter-Andrews in the 58th minute saw the ball fall to Randall, who once again knocked it in with a first-time shot.
Marlee Francois then put the game beyond South Melbourne’s reach in the 69th minute with a solid strike from just inside the box that settled into the bottom right corner.
The loss brings Hellas’ cup run to an end, leaving Heidelberg United as the only Hellenic-background side remaining in the competition.
“Alexandros” will face the other New Zealand-based A-League side in Wellington Phoenix as they bid to qualify for their first ever semi-final in the competition.
