South Hobart tasted Australian Championship success for the very first time with a hard-fought win over Lions FC, while Sydney United 58 and Canberra Croatia played out a 1–1 draw, with United going on to claim a penalty shootout bonus point to complete the opening round.
Kobe Kemp’s 35th-minute goal was enough for South Hobart to celebrate a famous win in a chaotic encounter in Brisbane, while it was a goal apiece at Sydney United Sports Centre, with the hosts claiming the bonus point after prevailing in the shootout 8–7.
Sydney United 58 1–1 Canberra Croatia
The Croatian derby between the two sister clubs provided plenty of action but only two goals, both in the second half.
With CommBank Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic in attendance, it was his former side that started brightest. United’s Mason Wells twice found himself beyond the defensive line from his position on the right-hand side, only to miss the target both times. A shot from range on his left foot went just past the upright, before he found himself onside in the area just 10 minutes later, only to put it high and over the goal from a tight angle.
After a scoreless opening half, the game came to life in the 54th minute. A dancing run from Jay McGowan down the left flank saw his cross find half-time substitute Mikey Katsoulis at the far post, who scored with one of his first touches of the game.
United drew level less than 10 minutes later, however, with defender Liam McGing getting a crucial last touch to nudge one home from a corner.
With scores level after 90 minutes, it was off to the penalty spot to decide which way the bonus point would go for the fourth time on the opening weekend.
Following three successful conversions, Canberra’s Adrian-Jamie Bazina was the first to make a save, denying Christian Lardieri. Tony Spaseski had the chance to win it for Canberra soon after, but saw his attempt denied by United keeper Adam Pavlesic. The shot-stopper would come up clutch again in what would turn out to be the final attempt of a marathon shootout, saving David Seselja’s effort to see United win the shootout 8–7.
The bonus point could prove valuable for United’s hopes of progressing, leaving them second in Group A behind South Melbourne after the opening weekend.
Lions FC 1–2 South Hobart
It was a slice of South Hobart history on Sunday night, as they won an Australian Championship game at the seventh time of asking after a winless campaign last term.
But they had to call on all their fortitude to leave Brisbane with the three points, against a Lions side on tournament debut who enjoyed the bulk of play and countless second-half chances.
South stunned the home crowd inside the first half an hour - right-back Dawit Son wriggled clear and into the area, before finding new signing Jesse Spang unmarked at point-blank range, who calmly slotted the opener.
The game’s brightest moment came in a minute of madness, first through the Lions’ equaliser. Mitchell Hore ensured his side’s first-ever Australian Championship goal was one to remember, turning clear of two defenders before hitting the top right corner from outside of the box to level the score.
But virtually from the restart, South Hobart again found themselves ahead courtesy of Kobe Kemp. A turnover on the halfway line saw the Tasmanians catch the hosts out, with Kemp keeping his head and driving the ball into the bottom left corner past Lions keeper Jacson Riley.
After half-time, the Lions enjoyed the majority of play as South Hobart clung onto their lead, with the hosts firing 10 shots to just one in the second period and finishing with a 23–6 shot count for the entire game. But Tommy Jarrard’s header that rattled the upright would be the closest they’d come, as the visitors held on for a famous victory on one of their most memorable nights in recent club history.