Berries exit Australia Cup after 3-0 loss to Hakoah Sydney City East

Canterbury Bankstown FC person bowed retired of the Australia Cup pursuing a 3-0 decision to cross-town rivals Hakoah Sydney City East astatine Jensen Park connected Wednesday night.

Despite a spirited show from a youthful Berries side, Hakoah proved too objective successful beforehand of goal, scoring three times successful the 2nd fractional to publication their spot successful the adjacent circular against Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

The visitors made a strong start and created aboriginal chances, but were repeatedly denied by Canterbury goalkeeper Luke Grenfell, who produced a bid of strong saves to support his broadside successful the contention during the opening stages.

Hakoah yet broke done successful the 16th infinitesimal when striker Benjamin Cook finished from adjacent scope to springiness the visitors a 1-0 lead. Canterbury responded with increasing assurance arsenic skipper for the nighttime John Fotopoulos went adjacent twice earlier half-time. His archetypal effort was blocked aft helium bushed the offside trap, earlier a well-controlled accidental connected 40 minutes narrowly missed the bottommost country pursuing a clever done shot from Yeojun Seo.

The 2nd fractional followed a akin pattern, with Canterbury showing much attacking intent but struggling to person opportunities. The breakthrough came successful the 60th infinitesimal when Nicholas Tooley finished calmly aft a midfield lapse allowed Hakoah to play done the Berries defence.

Just a infinitesimal later, Hakoah added a third done Stephen Varvaritis to efficaciously seal the contest.

Despite the scoreline, Canterbury officials praised the effort of their processing squad.

Club president Stan Seraskeris highlighted the value of the occasion, noting the strong Greek-Australian practice successful the squad, with 9 players featuring connected the night.

He besides praised Fotopoulos’ enactment successful what helium said was a uncommon milestone for the club. “We enactment retired a young team tonight and I’m sure the boys that played enjoyed the crippled contempt the nonaccomplishment and will beryllium amended for the experience,” Seraskeris said.

Coach Wally Savor echoed those sentiments, saying the lucifer provided valuable improvement opportunities up of their upcoming league fixture.

“Our young boys stood up tonight against a tough hostile and we got to try a fewer of the boys successful antithetic positions arsenic we cogwheel up for our Round 11 distant clash against Dulwich Hill this weekend astatine Arlington Oval,” Savor said.