AUFC Cup claimed a hard fought draw in its final group match against the Shandong Leung side yesterday. This now means that AUFC must play Villareal for a place in the 5v6 playoff match on Saturday.
The match started at lightening pace with Shandong applying immense pressure on the AUFC side. Eventually this pressure paid dividends with Shandong scoring in the 6th minute. For the rest of the first half, AUFC defended well against waves of Shandong attacks. The third match in 4 days was clearly having an effect on the AUFC players.
At half time, coach Michael Valkanis and assistant Tony Vidmar, reshaped the formation and demanded more from the team.
The second half produced a performance which was worthy of the AUFC badge. The whole team lifted and pegged Shandong back into their half. After a series of good chances, Ben Garuccio scored in the 73rd min. AUFC had the opportunity to win the match in the final minute with a great chance falling to Mauk.
Starting line up
Izzo
Monaco
Elsey
Markham
Halliday
Kirk (Williams 65)
Welsh
Melling
Mauk
Mavromatis (Garuccio 65)
Kallios (Aslanidis 60)
