Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting & Images: Bree Reidy

Sunshine Coast FC’s Westfield FFA Cup dream is over for another year after falling 2-0 at the final hurdle to Surfers Paradise Apollo at Lex Bell Oval.

The team’s battled to a scoreless stalemate at half-time before Apollo struck twice in the second stanza via Nikki Fela and Wade Russell to seal Fire’s fate.

The result ends Fire’s best ever return in the national knock-out competition – their 2016 run marking their first two wins ever in the Westfield FFA Cup.

Apollo, who compete in the third tier BLK Premier League competition, become the first Queensland community club to secure passage to this year’s Round of 32.

It marks the first time the Gold Coast based club will compete on the national stage in their 38-year history.

Key Moments

11’ - CHANCE FOR APOLLO – Tommaso Confalonieri conjures the hosts’ first chance on goal, dangerously hovering in front of goal for a cross from out wide but failing to connect

25’ - CHANCE FOR FIRE – Shoichi Koshimizu shoulders down a high ball into the box under pressure from two defenders – but his last touch is too heavy and allows Apollo goalkeeper Faider Mejia to run out and collect

33’ – CHANCE FOR APOLLO - Acim Tomic’s free kick from 25 yards out soars over the wall however Fire goalkeeper Samuel Nickolls is on hand to collect

36’ - CHANCE FOR FIRE – Paul Mikula attempts an audacious shot from half way but Mejia backtracks and tips the ball over the crossbar

39’ CHANCE FOR APOLLO – Davide Landoni’s low strike forces a full-stretched save from Nickolls to push the ball wide

43’ – CHANCE FOR APOLLO – Nickolls parries Brandon Gomez’s solidly struck free-kick before Landoni fires the follow-up attempt across the face of goal

45’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Mikula crosses into the penalty area for Kobe Fuller but with just the goalkeeper to beat he can’t get a touch on the ball

47’ – GOAL FOR APOLLO – Landoni feeds the ball through the penalty area to Nikki Felizatto at the far post who fires home at close range

53’ – CHANCE FOR APOLLO – Landoni gets in behind the Fire defence and draws out Nickolls but his squaring ball is scrambled clear

56’ – CHANCE FOR APOLLO – Tomasso Confalonieri delivers a stunning free-kick from 30 yards that clatters off the post

67’ – CHANCE FOR APOLLO – Confalonieri breaks through Fire’s defences and sees his initial effort blocked by Nickolls before skying his follow-up over the crossbar

68’ – GOAL FOR APOLLO – The hosts double their advantage via a set-piece as Wade Russell heads in a corner

79’ – CHANCE FOR APOLLO – Apollo break away with the goal at the mercy of Tolga Yorulmaz, however Fire defender Connor Hancock makes a pitch-wide covering run and slides in at the crucial moment to deny the chance

What They Said

“We did what we’ve been doing all season and sticking to the same game plan as we always do. To be fair they got the two goals, so congratulations to them. When they got the first goal we got players forward, so I think we only had three guys at the back when they got the second goal. We were still pushing to win the game but it wasn’t to be unfortunately. “ – Matthew Lyell, Sunshine Coast FC defender

“It’s humbling for me. I’m more happy for the boys than anything else to be honest. I’m ecstatic with the performance. To think we now have a crack to take on an A-League team is massive. I’m really excited and excited for the boys.” - David Benigno, Surfers Paradise Apollo SC coach

Match Details

Westfield FFA Cup 2016 – Preliminary Round 7 Southern Regional Qualifying Zone

Saturday, June 11
Lex Bell Oval, Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise Apollo SC – 2 (Nikki FELIZATTO 47’, Wade RUSSELL 68’)
Sunshine Coast FC – 0

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/25QbOZZ

Match Officials - Alan MILLINER (referee), Renae COGHILL (assistant), Mitch MILLER (assistant), Sam OSBORNE (fourth)