Heidelberg United produced a third consecutive Cupset on Saturday night, defeating Auckland 2-0 to advance to the 2025 Hahn Australia Cup Final.
Heidelberg’s history-making continued, picking up a record third Cupset of the tournament, without conceding a goal against any of their A-League opposition.
Heidelberg United FC 2 - 0 Auckland FC
Heidelberg United earned a 2-0 win over the reigning A-League premiers, Auckland, on Saturday night to secure a place in the Final.
The visitors had the first shot of the match six minutes in as Callan Elliot dragged an effort wide from the edge of the area.
Moments later, Bul Juach had an excellent opportunity to open the scoring for Heidelberg as he raced in behind, but a heavy touch allowed Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud to smother the ball.
United came forward again soon after Juach’s chance as Sabit Ngor rolled an effort from range that Woud picked up comfortably.
Despite Auckland’s purposeful possession, United remained threatening and in the 20th minute, captain Ben Collins nodded wide from a corner.
In the 34th minute, Auckland came close to the opener as Marlee Francois’ effort bounced awkwardly in front of Yaren Sozer, the goalkeeper reacting sharply to repel the ball.
Four minutes later, Jesse Randal took aim for the away side, seeing the ball bounce past the right post.
Auckland came even closer 41 minutes in when Francois rattled the crossbar from a tight angle on the left of the box.
In the final minute of the first half, United returned fire through Anthony Lesiotis, who fired just past the right post from close range.
A fast-paced opening 45 minutes concluded with the deadlock still to be broken.
Auckland’s attacking efforts continued after the break, with Sozer called into action several times inside the first five minutes, most notably denying Randal to his right.
Just after the hour mark, the visitors produced another chance as Guillermo May picked up space and powered a strike over from range.
In the 69th minute, Auckland’s substitutes combined when Lachlan Brooke slipped Sam Cosgrove into the right of the box, forcing Sozer into a simple stop.
However, six minutes later, Heidelberg stunned their opponents and snatched the lead. Juach persistently pursued the ball into the left channel and raced past Woud before slotting into a vacant net to send the home fans into raptures.
The hosts grew in confidence and began to move the ball forward more quickly. And with seven regular minutes to play, they doubled their lead.
Jay McGowan raked a ball over the top for Asahi Yokokawa into the left of the box, where the midfielder cleverly sent a finish through Woud’s legs.
Auckland were not out of it yet, and in the 88th minute, they nearly halved the deficit. Francis De Vries’ left-sided cross met Cameron Howieson, whose header looked destined for the left of the goal but for a sprawling save from Sozer.
Deep into stoppage time, United could have grabbed a third goal through Chok Dau, but the attacker saw his effort bounce wide of the right post.
The hosts saw out what remained to become the first team to progess to the 2025 Hahn Australia Cup Final and continue a historic season.
