Giant-killers bow out of Cup

Cobram Victory's fantastic State Knockout Cup run has ended with a 4-3 loss to Heidelberg United.

The run of the final remaining regional team in the State Knockout Cup has ended with Victorian Premier League side Heidelberg United defeating Cobram Victory 4-3 in the quarter-finals stage.

The State Knockout Cup is Australia’s largest senior men’s cup competition with over 120 teams taking part in 2012.

After establishing a reputation as giant-killers in the Cup last year, Victory’s efforts in 2012 reinforced this moniker with two VPL clubs and one State League One side falling to the team in yellow and black.

Werribee City, Bentleigh Greens and Moreland Zebras were Victory’s major scalps this year with the Zebras going down to Cobram for the second year running.

Player-coach Craig Carley said that his side’s ability to lift for Cup matches was part of what has helped them in their incredible Cup run.

“We’ve got a good bunch of players and when it comes to the big games we show up,” he said.

“I was very pleased with the way we progressed through the competition.”

Cobram Victory were eventually knocked out in the modified quarter final stage, made necessary due to Hyundai A-League clubs Melbourne Heart and Melbourne Victory deciding not to enter, seeing the six remaining teams split into two groups of three.

After a disappointing 6-0 loss to VPL leaders Dandenong Thunder in their first quarter final game, Victory needed a four goal win over Heidelberg to progress to the semi-finals.

“The occasion got to a few of the players when we played Dandenong. It was something we worked on at training and told ourselves we wouldn’t let it happen again,” said Carley.

“After that it was always going to be a massive ask against Heidelberg. I told the boys to forget about the score line and how many goals we had to get. I wanted us to go out there and make amends for what happened at Dandenong because we really didn’t show up that day.

“We played exceptionally well on Wednesday and Heidelberg went home knowing they had been in a tough match.”

Carley agreed that when it comes to drama-filled football, cups rarely disappoint.

"It gives us a chance to play against some of the best teams in the state that we wouldn’t normally have the chance to play against," he said.

"This year we played against four of the state’s top sides in Dandenong, Heidelberg, Moreland and Bentleigh. Teams that we would never normally get the opportunity to play.

"It’s memories like that which really last and no one can ever take away from them."

Cobram now have the Regional Challenge Trophy to look forward to and hopefully another entertaining Cup run in 2013.