Cooma Tigers FC coach Gaby Wilk admits eliminating powerhouse club Canberra FC from the FFA Cup made his team's progression to the next stage all the sweeter.
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Tigers FC turned the tables on Canberra FC after their recent National Premier League encounter with a thrilling 4-3 victory at the Hawker Football Centre on Wednesday night.
In what was the marquee tie of the Capital Football round-four qualifying for the nationwide knockout tournament, Tigers FC bounced back from conceding the game's opening goal to proceed to the last eight.
The defending league champions gained revenge after conceding five unanswered second-half goals in an epic 7-5 loss to Canberra FC in Cooma on April 26.
Wilk was delighted with his side's performance in consigning Canberra FC to the FFA Cup scrapheap.
"It's always great to beat them, they're always one of the best teams in the competition," Wilk said.
"It's not easy to play Canberra FC. I want to win everything, Cooma always want to win everything and I want to win the FFA Cup."
Canberra FC took the lead after just two minutes through Thomas James before Jeremias Ibarra levelled the scores at half-time.
Goals to Jose Defilippe and Alex Oloriegbe put Tigers FC up 3-1. Josip Jadric halved the deficit, but Goran Josifovski restored the two-goal margin.
James found the net for his second in the 84th minute to create some nervous moments, but Tigers FC held their nerve.
They join Belconnen United, Gungahlin United, Monaro Panthers, Canberra Olympic, Tuggeranong United and ANU FC in the final eight.
White Eagles FC and Weston-Molonglo FC will play off for the final spot on Tuesday, May 12.
at 7.20pm.
Meanwhile, the FFA Centre of Excellence can grab a share of the lead when they host the table-topping Belconnen United at the AIS on Saturday at 3pm.
On Sunday, Canberra FC will be looking to shake off their FFA Cup exit when they host Tuggeranong at Deakin Stadium, while the Monaro Panthers entertain Gungahlin United at Riverside Stadium. Tigers FC have the bye in the NPL.
Tigers FC welcomed back veteran goalkeeper Francois Bangweni for his first game of the season, while Julian Borgna also made an impact in his return from suspension.
