Goalkeeper Michael Woud was the hero as Auckland progressed into the semi finals of the Australian Cup after a dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout win over Sydney FC.
Woud, who lost a tooth during the game, saved Joel Kings effort while two other Sydney players shot wide, resulting in Woud serving up an epic knee slide into a crowd to jubilant teammates.
New striker Sam Cosgrove, Jake Brimmer and Francis de Vries all converted their kicks. May missed his but in the end it mattered little.
Another new signing, Lachie Brook was on the score sheet. He poked in a deflected Logan Rogerson shot in 84th minute. Auckland would have hoped that was the game but just two minutes later Sydney equalised, meaning the match finished 1-1 at full time and there would be 30 minutes of additional time played.
After 120 minutes of football, the teams couldn’t be separated so penalties it was.
The Black Knights now play Heidelberg United in the semifinals, with the date of the game still to be decided. Heidelberg United have already beaten Western Sydney Wanderers and Wellington Phoenix during their cup run, so they will be dangerous opponents.
