Balmain Tigers 0 - 6 Melbourne Victory
Hyundai A-League Champions Melbourne Victory travelled north to face the Balmain Tigers, who currently ply their trade in the third tier of NSW football. It was always expected to be a one sided affair and it was with the Victory putting six past the Tigers. However, Balmain were far from disgraced, putting in a valiant effort in front of an impressive crowd of 4,849.
Victory opened the scoring in just the 11th minute through Besart Berisha, after he finished off a beautiful one two ball with Jesse Makarounas.
Berisha, clearly underdone after only recently returning to pre-season training, then squandered several gettable chances, before Connor Pain doubled the lead in the 41st minute. Kosta Barbarouses then added a third in the 56th minute after finding himself one on one with the Balmain keeper after receiving a through ball on the edge of the area.
Daniel Georgievski then scored a fourth from a rebound after the keeper just managed to keep out a shot from Barbarouses.
Youngster George Howard netted his first goal for Melbourne Victory via a cross from Khalfallah to make it five, after he replaced Berisha.
Victory medallist Fahid Ben Khalfallah then finished off the demolition with a brilliant long range strike to cap a wonderful night for the A-League champions.
Edgeworth 1 - 2 Melbourne City
Fellow Hyundai A-League club Melbourne City found the going far tougher, as they needed two stunning free kicks from Aaron Mooy to advance to the round of 16. Edgworth scored first through a penalty in the 26th minute after a clumsy challenge from Patrick Kisnorbo.
City then equalised soon after with Aaron Mooy netting a sublime free kick from 25 metres out to make it 1-1. Scores remained locked with Edgeworth playing some inspired football until Mooy found the winner with another splendid free kick in the 94th minute to break the hearts of the home side.
Gungahlin United 0 - 1 Sydney Olympic
Despite the 1-0 score line, there were plenty of chances for both sides to steal a win throughout the match. But it was Sydney narrowly who got through this one, with a late winner in the 82nd minute through Michael Gaitatzis. He gave his side the lead with a wonder long range effort from the edge of the area, before Olympic held on to advance to the round of 16.
Sydney United 58 3 - 3 South Hobart (Sydney won 3-1 on penalties)
Definitely the match of the night, as Sydney United 58 came from two goals down to claim a memorable 3-1 win on penalties. Despite having most of the play, United found themselves down 2-0 just after half time with South Hobart producing two clinical counter attacking moves. However, the home side got back into the match and even took the lead, scoring goals in the 59th, 70th and 80th minutes. But the drama wasn't over yet, with South Hobart finding and equalizer just four minutes from time. Neither side could find a winner in extra time and a penalty shootout ensued. Unfortunately for South Hobart, their earlier heroics could not be repeated and they went down 3-1 in the shootout to their more fancied opponents.
