Calder United SC's reign of the Nike FC Cup is over, following a nail-biting penalty shoot-out defeat to cross-town rival Keilor Park SC on Wednesday, May 1 at Wyndham Regional Football Facility.
As a result of Keilor Park's heroics last night, we will crown a new Women's State Knockout Cup Champion for the first time since 2016.
Keilor Park SC Head Coach, Liam Drury said post-game it's a "statement" to the rest of the competition and he is confident his team can overcome any obstacle ahead of them.
"It's definitely a statement, I think a lot of people around Victoria will see that," he explained.
"We want to go up (to NPLW) as quickly as we can, that's the aspiration and to get a win like that I think shows that we have the quality, and our players have the mentality."
"We were very confident going into it, we thought we would have a proper crack and really make them work for it if they were going to win.
"We knew the pressure wasn't on us and we just knew we wouldn't have all of the ball and that we had to stay disciplined."
Keilor Park gained the early ascendancy in the contest with Suzu Murakami launching a rocket from outside the box in the 16th minute, leaving no chance of a save for Calder's Shanel Camilleri.
As the match neared the 90-minute mark, Calder's intensity continued to lift and the seasoned side continued to try and break the stubborn defence of Keilor Park. The contest would be turned on its head in the 84th minute with Akeisha Sandhu getting on the end an intelligent Mami Ambo through pass - to send the match into extra-time.
On the brink of the referee sending the match to penalties, it was Suzu Murakumi who stepped up once again for the visitors, scoring an absolute screamer from distance, setting the travelling fans into a state of euphoria.
Celebrations were cut short by Calder's Harriet Lohrey, who scored an equaliser in the 123rd minute, fittingly sending the tight contest to penalties where Keilor Park would advance, scoring 4-3 from the spot.
"The girls showed so much character to stay focused after they came back twice to level it, two late goals as well on top of missing the second penalty, Drury said.
" Definitely going to penalties, it could have gone either way, I can't be much happier."
Ahead of the Quarterfinals, Drury and his side hope to use the rest of Nike FC Cup as a platform to show what they are capable of.
"Absolutely, the goal is to reach the Nike FC Cup Final and we are capable of contending against anyone and there are some very good teams left in the competition that would be favourites if we went against them but i know the girls would be confident," he added.
"Isn't it interesting that there are eight teams remaining and there is four VPLW teams and four NPLW teams, it will be definitely a must-watch final rounds of the Cup."