Words: Michael Flynn

Gold Coast City advanced to the Semi-Finals of the BLK Silver Boot on Friday night at the expense of Brisbane City who succumbed to a heavy defeat to finish group runners-up.

Brisbane City Bulldogged By Capalaba

LIONS STADIUM, BRISBANE | Brisbane City crashed out of the BLK Silver Boot after falling 4-1 to a dogged Capalaba FC on Friday night.

City conceded twice in the opening ten minutes, but despite pulling a goal back were unable to reel in their Brisbane Premier League opponents – the result ensuring City could not advance past the group stage.

Capalaba gained the early advantage when Ahamad Azzawi cut inside to deliver a sharp finish to open terms before David Kai quickly doubled the advantage by heading in from a corner.

City’s Samuel Sibatuara continued his pre-season scoring form when he converted from just outside the penalty box shortly after to halve the margin.

However, City were unable to make the most of further chances – star striker Antonio Murray coming closest when he struck the post from a free-kick midway through the half.

Azzawi took advantage before half-time when he turned in a cross from Joseph Fields to round out his brace and restore his side's two goal advantage.

Azzawi turned provider shortly after the restart – delivering a cut-back for Samuel Watt to effectively wrap up the result – but despite further chances his hat-trick proved elusive.

City’s saw out of the final half-hour without further concession but were unable to threaten a comeback.

Capalaba FC  4 (Ahamad AZZAWI 3’ 41’, David KAI 6’, Samuel WATT 53’)
Brisbane City FC  1 (Samuel SIBATUARA 11’)

Fightback Seals GCC Semi-Final Berth

LIONS STADIUM, BRISBANE | Gold Coast City fought from a goal down to overrun Albany Creek Excelsior 3-1 and advance to the Semi Finals of the BLK Silver Boot.

Rhys Saunders levelled terms for City late in the first half before two goals in as many minutes for Roman Hofmann and Nik Mirkovic sealed the result.

Both sides failed to make the most of early chances before Excelsior took the lead midway through the opening half – Rob Buhmann nestling a composed finish across City goalkeeper Shane Viitakangas.

However, City increasingly dominated possession and levelled terms before the break when Saunders bounced a one-two off Lyndon Dykes before slotting the finish past onrushing Excelsior goalkeeper Tom Sherwood.

City edged ahead shortly after the restart when Dykes was fouled by Sherwood inside the penalty area after bursting through Excelsior’s line – Hofmann neatly placing the ensuing spot-kick into the bottom corner.

The advantage was then doubled when Dykes again got in behind Excelsior's defences to draw Sherwood before laying off for Mirkovic to convert into an empty goal.

Excelsior’s counter-attack produced a sprinkling of half-chances as the contest drew to a close, however City remained firm to join PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues rivals Brisbane Strikers in the tournament’s knock-out stages.

Albany Creek Excelsior FC  1 (Rob BUHMANN 21’)
Gold Coast City FC  3 (Rhys SAUNDERS 39’, Roman HOFMANN 53’p, Nik MIRKOVIC 55’)