Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

A ten-man Palm Beach have delivered an epic penalty shoot-out win to advance past South Melbourne FC in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 at Cbus Super Stadium.

Sharks goalkeeper Shane Viitakangas was the hero for the Gold Coast club, saving the final spot-kick of an extended 18 attempt penalty shoot-out that saw the hosts ultimately prevail 8-7.

A two hour arm-wrestle between the two sides proved unable to deliver a clear-cut victory after Florian Matk’s penalty cancelled out the opener from South Melbourne's Milos Lujic in the first half.

The win marks Sharks third penalty shoot-out victory in the this year’s Westfield FFA Cup and is the second successive year the club has reached the Round of 16.

Going into the match without suspended captain and midfield talisman Justyn McKay, Sharks looked out of sorts early against their high-profile opponents.

South Melbourne failed to take advantage from a pair of early chances - Nicholas Epifano forcing a save from Viitakangas before Michael Eager headed over from a corner.

Sharks saw their first clear cut opportunity on ten minutes on the counter attack, however Rees Duncan was unable to capitalise at the far post from Nik Mirkovic’s cross.

As the team’s settled, a battle of contrasting styles became increasingly evident - South Melbourne’s more possession-based passing game being effectively combated by Sharks’ more direct approach.

Another Sharks counter put the visitors under heavy pressure midway through the half, however Tim Jackson strayed offside prior to miscuing Mirkovic’s cross.

A purple patch followed for South Melbourne with a number of half-chances denied by the combined attentions of Viitakangas and centre-half pairing Kristian Rees and Martin Vazquez.

The pressure ultimately told as Lujic found the back of the net with a solid headed finish at the back post from a byline cross - the goal his fifth of this year’s Westfield FFA Cup.

However, the visitor’s advantage was short-lived as Matk levelled terms from the penalty spot after Rees Duncan was brought to ground in pursuit of a through ball by South Melbourne goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic.

The Victorians proved dangerous up to the close of the half, however Epifano spurned the chance to regain their lead by blazing high and wide after pouncing on Viitakangas’ punched clearance.

South Melbourne sought to carry their momentum into the second half as Jake Barker-Daish and David Stirton both forced saves from Viitakangas inside ten minutes.

Sharks showed brief flashes of attacking promise, but a clear-cut chances were sparse; while at the other end the Sharks defence continued to frustrate their more fancied opponents.

Epifano again spurned a chance the edge his side ahead by shooting wide with ten minutes remaining, while a pre-rehearsed free-kick in the final minute was also diffused by the Sharks defence to force extra time.

South Melbourne again sought to control the tempo in the first period of extra time but Sharks saw the better chances as the rode their vocal home support - Roman Hofmann forcing a solid save from Roganovic before Rees and Vazquez both headed over from set-pieces.

Viitakangas continued to show his wares with a full-stretched tip save to keep-out a swerving strike from Andrija Kekovic before a tense finale boiled over with a series of rash challenges.

Sharks hopes appeared to face a serious blow when Eoghan Murphy was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the final minutes, however South Melbourne were unable to make the numerical advantage count.

Milos Lujic missed a pair of gilt-edged chances at the death - blazing wide of the target on the angle before chesting wide of the near post from point blank range.

The subsequent shoot-out proved nerve-wracking for both sides as Viitakangas' early save on Stephen Hatzikostas was cancelled out when Jack Boxell struck the crossbar.

The sides exchanged succesful strikes until Viitakangas delivered the match-winning save to deny Souths captain Eager.

Sharks are the first Queensland club to advance to this year's Round of 16 after fellow PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland club Brisbane Strikers were eliminated by Hume City in Melbourne earlier in the evening.

Palm Beach SC  1 (Florian MATK 38’p)
South Melbourne FC  1 (Milos LUJIC 34’)

*Palm Beach SC win 8-7 on penalties