History beckons for Moreton City

Above: MCE celebrate after Luca Jankovic's crucial equaliser against South Melbourne. Picture Josh Springfield Football Australia.

Moreton City Excelsior will fly south this weekend aiming for an historic day to follow last Friday's "classic night" in the Australian Championship.

The youngest club in the national second tier competition faces Avondale tomorrow in the quarter-finals after a dramatic draw against South Melbourne last Friday.

Trailing 2-0 and then 3-2, MCE fought back to level at 3-3 - with Luca Jankovic grabbing the crucial goal - and secure a crucial point needed to reach the knockout stages.

Praise poured in online. Callum Faulkner posted: “Historic night for the club! Absolutely torrential rain. Young upcoming star scores the equaliser that strikes the dagger through his older brother’s team! A classic.”

Others described it as a “simply amazing achievement”, “great team effort” and an “absolute cracker of a game”. 

Terry Kirkham, the foundation coach of MCE's forerunner Moreton Bay United, added: “Love it”.

Picture Gallery - by Josh Springfield, Football Australia

MCE will face this year’s NPL Victoria champions Avondale tomorrow at Avenger Park (kick-off 11.35am) in a match to be televised on SBS and SBS On Demand.

Victory would earn MCE a place in the semi-finals - against Wests Apia or Marconi Stallions - and a first appearance in the last four of a national tournament.

Last year MCE, formed in 2023 by the merger of Moreton Bay United and Albany Creek Excelsior, reached the Australia Cup quarter-finals, beating A-League Perth Glory on the way.

However, 10 years ago, Moreton Bay United made the end-of-season national PS4 NPL semi-finals, losing narrowly 2-1 at Blacktown City.

On Saturday MCE will be drawing on the same spirit which has seen them snatch a 98^th-minute winner at Broadmeadow Magic, 97^th-minute equaliser at Sydney Olympic and become the only side to dent South Melbourne's perfect group record.

As Victoria state champions, Avondale is arguably the strongest team in the Australian Championship and topped Group C without losing a game (three wins, three draws).

MCE finished second behind South Melbourne in Group A and as the joint highest Australian Championship scorers, alongside Group B winners Heidelberg, with 15 goals.

However, Brendale-based MCE is hoping some of the injured from Friday’s thriller can recover in time for Saturday’s early kick-off in Melbourne.

On the other side of the quarter-final draw Heidelberg United take on Metrostars and South Melbourne face NSW Spirit.

Winners will progress to the semi-finals on November 29-30, with the inaugural Australian Championship final on December 6.