Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Redlands United’s Westfield FFA Cup dream is over for 2016 after conceding twice from the penalty spot to fall 2-0 to Canberra Olympic at Deakin Stadium.

In an at times dour contest that suffered for unconvincing finishes, the Red Devils failed to adapt their usually up-tempo passing game to a pitch soddened by unrelenting rain.

Olympic edged ahead in the opening quarter hour via a penalty won by Robert Cattanach and converted by goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou.

However, despite crafting the bulk of the chances for the rest of the contest, Olympic had to wait until injury-time to seal the win when Cattanach also converted from the penalty spot.

The result ends Redlands’ best ever return in the national knock-out competition after advancing to the national stage for the first time and capturing the imagination of the nation with their Round of 32 ‘cupset’ over Adelaide United.

Redlands now switch focus to this weekend's PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Semi-Final against Brisbane Strikers, who also bowed out of the Westfield FFA Cup at the hands of Hyundai A-League giants Melbourne City.

Olympic now become the first Capital Football club to advance to the Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Finals.

They will again test themselves against PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland opposition in September when they meet Strikers in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series.

Key Moments

12’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Michael Reeve fashions a sight on goal from the edge of the area but scuffs his shot wide of the near post

13’ -  GOAL FOR OLYMPIC - Michael McGowan fouls Robert Cattanach inside the area to concede a penalty, Olympic goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou steps up for the penalty and drives it straight down the middle to open accounts

18’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – The ball is touched on for Igor Sao Jose who hits a dipping first-time strike that goes high of the target

21’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – A through ball sees Philippe Bernabo-Madrid get in behind the Redlands line but Redlands goalkeeper Brendan White gets down well to make the save

29’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Bernabo-Madrid is once again slipped through one-on-one but White keeps his side in the contest with another solid save

33’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – A cutback from Sao Jose is met by Graham Fyfe 25 yards out and delivers a firmly struck first-time effort that fades just wide of the target

44’- CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Bernabo-Madrid shows a clean set of heels but his shot towards the near post lacks sting and scooped up by White

46’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – A late counter-attack gives the hosts a chance to double the advantage but Thomas McLachlan scoops his shot well high of the goal

48’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – movement and passing gives Sao Jose another glimpse from the edge of the area and he forces Konstaninou to tip around the post with a skidding strike

52’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Michael Lee’s low and skidding free-kick evades attackers and defenders alike as it scoots across the face of goal

67’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Cattanach picks out Bernabo-Madrid near the penalty spot but his glancing header is just high of the crossbar

68’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Substitute Jeremy Habtemarium breaks through one-on-one with White but doesn’t like the angle and tries to square for a teammate but the pass is poorly directed and the opportunity dissipates

89’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Graham Fyfe plays the ball across the face of goal but nobody can get a touch on it and the hosts quickly clear

90+3’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – Cattanach is bundled over just inside the area by O’Brien and steps up to take the penalty – and after a retake for encroachment slots the spot-kick to seal the win

Match Details

Westfield FFA Cup 2016 – Round of 16

Wednesday, August 24
Deakin Stadium, Canberra

Canberra Olympic FC – 2 (Angelo KONSTANTINOU p.13’, Robert CATTANACH p.90+3’)
Redlands United FC – 0

Attendance - 989

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2bhL12M