A thrilling win has kept an FFA Cup dream alive for the Wanderers and proven a timely boost as they prepare for a tough few weeks.
The Buderim-based outfit advanced into the next stage of the national knockout tournament after defeating Brisbane Strikers 3-1 on Monday night.
The Round 5 battle went down to the wire, with Wanderers breaking the 1-1 deadlock via Ethan Galbraith in the 86th minute. Daniel Cuttler sealed the deal in the final minute of play.
“It was a good entertaining game and it was end to end,” coach Paul Arnison said.
Wanderers are the last remaining Coast team in the preliminary rounds of the FFA Cup after Sunshine Coast Fire lost to Logan Lightning 4-1 on Sunday.
It’s the latest the Wanderers have started a pre-season since forming in 2017.
“We are a bit later than other clubs and teams but with the extent of last year and how long it went on for we’re just giving the players a little bit of an extended break,” coach Arnison said.
“Hopefully, they’ll come back refreshed and ready to go for what’s going to be another long, hard and exciting season.”
They’ll have seven weeks to prepare ahead of the season opener in early March and Arnison is wasting no time in getting them straight into game scenarios.