Aaron Mooy’s hat-trick stole the limelight from Greek international guest player Kostas Katsouranis as Melbourne City outclassed Heidelberg United 5-0 in a FFA Cup quarter-final at Olympic Village on Tuesday night.
Mooy bagged an impressive second-half hat-trick, and had a hand in another goal as City overran the home team.
A FFA Cup season-high 11,372 spectators crammed into the Olympic Village in Melbourne’s northern suburbs hoping to see EURO 2004 winner Katsouranis inspire the former National Soccer League club to an unlikely win.
However, Melbourne City took a lead within two minutes as a smart passing movement started by Mooy ended with striker Bruno Fornaroli converting from close range.
City dominated periods of the opening half, yet it took a miraculous diving save from Tando Velaphi to deny Kaine Shepperd an equaliser, with the move started by Katsouranis featuring in a one-off guest appearance for the Bergers.
After the break, however, it was all about Mooy. The in-form Socceroos midfielder doubled the lead midway through the second half with a smart low finish from outside the penalty area, and he repeated the feat a few minutes later.
Mooy tapped in for his hat-trick in the 84th minute to become the highest scorer in this season’s competition, before Fornaroli added salt to the wounds with his second and a late fifth for his team.
source:theworldgame.sbs.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 