Yoogali SC fall to Tigers FC in FFA Cup qualifying semi final

Having weathered an early push from the second-placed NPL1 side, Yoogali grew into the game midway through the first half and started to impose themselves on the game.

The first clear cut chance fell the way of the Tigers in the dying stages of the first half, but Michael De Paoli was more than equal to the shot to see the sides head into the break level at 0-0.

Set pieces started to pile up for Tigers, and they created a good opportunity, but a diving save from De Paoli kept Yoogali in the game once more.

Yoogali were then able to create a golden opportunity of their own when Jordan Baveresco was fouled near the byline. Calvin Roddie was able to get a dangerous cross into the box, which Danny Roche was able to get to but couldn't direct his header on target from six yards out.

The defence of Yoogali continued to stand strong with great efforts from Luke Pandolfo and Andrew Vitucci, and the game looked destined to head into extra time.

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Tigers had other ideas though, and 30 seconds into added time were able to find the go-ahead goal with a through ball to the far post directed into the back of the net and secure their spot in the final with a 1-0 win.

Coach Luke Santolin couldn't have been prouder of his side's efforts after the full time whistle blew.

"Our game plan was to keep them scoreless, and every minute that they didn't score, the pendulum would shift in our favour, and for 91 minutes we were perfect in our execution, we were focused, and our concentration was brilliant," he said.

"Just one moment of weakness, and we got punished, and unfortunately, they scored so late that we didn't get a chance to come back at them.

" I don't think we are upset by the loss. I think we are upset, but the fact that we came so close to doing something monumental."

The Yoogali side will now turn their attention to their next NPL2 game which will see them head back to Canberra on Saturday for a clash with Queanbeyan City.

"We have shown what we are capable of now, and we have to get rid of that inconsistency that we are encountering in the league," he said.

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