*Header photo by Jaime Castaneda (@jamcas50)
Elimination semi final: APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0-0 Sydney FC (Sydney FC win 5-4 on penalties), Saturday August 17 at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt Tigers are out and Sydney FC are live to fight another day after this elimination semi final ended in a shootout from the spot, with the Sky Blues holding their nerve to go through to a minor semi final against Sutherland Sharks on Tuesday.
The score was 0-0 after 120 minutes, perhaps expected of two sides that finished level on points during the regular season. Three penalties hit the woodwork and another was saved as the shooutout went through to sudden death, with Nicholas Azzone missing before Anton Mlinaric scored the winner.
Sydney FC can look forward to a semi final against Sutherland Sharks in a few days’ time as they set their sights on the grand final, while APIA’s season ends here; the Tigers unable to better their 2018 season as they fall at the first hurdle in this year’s finals series.
