ADELAIDE Croatia Raiders are just one win away from an historical qualification for the final Round of 32 of the modern version of the Australia Cup, for the first time since the inception of the nationwide tournament in 2014. Adelaide Croatia fans eagerly await this landmark achievement.
It would not be the first time the Raiders have been on the national stage, participating in the inaugural Australia Cup way back in 1963/64, as well as making it to the quarter finals of the old NSL Cup in 1985.
On Tuesday night, the Raiders defeated State League 2 outfit Adelaide Hills 2-1 in a tense Round 4 match in the South Australian qualifying phase at the Croatian Sports Centre after which, supporters of Adelaide Croatia celebrated the crucial victory.
The goals for the victors were scored by Anthony Costa and Rhys Thompson to send the Croatian backed club to the final four stage of the South Australian state phase, which will provide two entrants into the national Round of 32.
Scrappy Affair Against Underdogs
According to Football Operations manager, Maks Jurković, the Raiders didn’t have an easy passage through to the next round.
“It was a bit of a scrappy affair, the underdog from the Adelaide Hills went in hard right from the outset,” a relieved Jurković said after the game. Adelaide Croatia team showcased resilience.
“In the end, it was a touch of class from both Anthony and Rhys which was able to seal the deal against a resilient Hills outfit,” he added.
The Raiders are currently struggling in the NPL South Australia competition, sitting at the foot of the standings with just eight points from their opening 10 games.
Qualification for the national stage of the Australia Cup would go a long way to injecting some much needed inspiration to rescue the league season for Adelaide Croatia Raiders.
In order to advance to the national stage for the first time ever, the Raiders will need to overcome one more hurdle at state level in mid June at Football South Australia’s headquarters at ServiceFM Stadium.
The remaining teams in the South Australian qualifying phase include Adelaide Comets, Metrostars, the Raiders and the winner of the midweek clash between FK Beograd and Fulham United.
