Wellington Phoenix became the latest A-League club to fall to lower-league opposition, as semi-professional Brisbane Strikers inflicted a 4-2 penalty-shootout loss in the FFA Cup compeition.
Defending a poor record in the pre-season knockout format, the Phoenix suffered an early blow, as Hiroki Omori struck midway through the first half for the Strikers.
Andy Pengelly extended the lead after the interval, but Cameron Devlin and Callum McCowatt pulled the Phoenix level.
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Extra time failed to produce any further goals, leaving the home side to triumph on penalties, as the Strikers remained resolute during the spot kicks to collect one of the club's biggest moments since their 1997 National Soccer League championship win.
The Strikers were dropped from the Australian top tier, when the A-League was formed in 2005 and have failed in repeated bids for re-entry since. They now play in the Queensland state competition.
The result was an early setback for new Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay, who fielded a young line-up, after veteran defender and captain Steven Taylor withdrew with injury.
New English striker David Ball marred his performance with a crucial missed penalty in the shootout.
The Phoenix also lost to semi-pro Melbourne outfit Bentleigh Greens in the first round last season - the Greens went on to make the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Robbie Fowler began his Australian coaching odyssey in perfect fashion, as his inexperienced Brisbane Roar side managed an unlikely 2-0 win over A-League champions Sydney FC.
Goals either side of halftime from Stefan Mauk and Jay O'Shea were enough to lift the Roar into the last 16 at the expense of the big-name Sky Blues.
The legendary former Liverpool striker saw his side turn in a polished and disciplined performance to restrict Sydney FC's highly-credentialed attack to limited chances.
There was no fairytale for another former National Soccer League champion, as Adelaide United overpowered a gritty Melbourne Knights in testing conditions.
Teenager Al Hassan Toure sensationally scored within minutes of making his Adelaide debut and though the Knights were only 2-1 down at halftime, Ben Halloran bagged a double, as United dominated the second half for a 5-2 win.
Newcastle Jets staged a stunning comeback to eliminate former FFA Cup winners Melbourne Victory with a 3-2 extra-time win.
The Jets seemed dead and buried, before Johnny Koutroumbis and Dimi Petratos scored in quick succession to draw the Jets level, after they had trailed 2-0 with 16 minutes remaining.
Local teenage product Pat Langlois then bagged a memorable winner in the 113th minute with his first senior goal.
Western Sydney Wanderers ensured a third former Cup winner was eliminated, as Kwame Yeboah netted with three minutes of extra time remaining against Perth Glory for a 2-1 result.
AAP
