HIDIC THE RANGERS’ HERO IN HISTORIC CUP VICTORY
GEELONG Rangers scored the only goal of the game early in the second half to cause a major upset and overcome the highly fancied Geelong in last night’s action-charged Geelong Community Cup final.
It was a classic David versus Goliath confrontation, with the newly promoted NPL2 Geelong taking on tournament hosts and clear underdogs Rangers.
But the less-fancied State League 2 outfit started the better, with midfielder Marko Krndija finding the back of the net with a spectacular set piece
in the third minute. But it was disallowed due to it being initially awarded as an indirect free kick.
Rangers had two clear chances within the space of 60 seconds when Angus Chapman’s sliding effort rebounded off the crossbar in the 14th minute and a minute later Ricky Murase managed to poke a James Hidic cross straight at Geelong keeper Heath Hayes.
At the other end, Josh Talev turned and shot in the 33rd minute, only to see his attempt soar over the head of Rangers custodian Hayden Van Der Chys.
A blustery wind in the se second half made it difficult to m maintain possession but it was th the Dark Blues who adapted be better and took the lead th through Hidic’s left-footed e effort into the top corner, following a delightful Colin Hamilton cross from the left side in the 50th minute.
A minute later, the Rangers were denied a penalty when what a appeared to be a handball wa was rejected by the referee.
Geelong was reduced to 10 m men on 72 minutes after Ajdin Li Limac was shown his second yellow card for a tackle on Chapman.
Aided by the numerical advantage, the Rangers managed to hang on to record a historical Cup triumph.
“We’ve got some good young players and with our front two consisting of a 15 and 16-year-old tonight and you could see the talent that is developing. The future looks really bright for Rangers,” coach Nathan Rogers said. IN the curtain raiser, local NPLW outfit Galaxy United took on a Geelong Region invitational rep squad in a special Women’s exhibition match.
The local squad featured players from Deakin, Barwon, Bell Park and Geelong Rangers, and was coached by Rangers coach Mike Chapman, while the more fancied Galaxy unit had new coach Gabriel Markaj at its helm.
In the end it was a onesided affair as Galaxy piled on six goals to no reply, with star striker Lulu Al-Huneidi netting a memorable hat-trick.
The other goalscorers for Galaxy included Coco Cummins, Josie Lonsdale and Japanese import Kanna Oda.