MetroStars starting XI: Oestreich (GK), Barr, McNamara, Walls, Nagel, Fortunatow, Barbiero, Gow, Sotira, Visser, Cittadini

Bench: D’Angelo, Niyonkuru, Rapuano, Muhitira, Lippiello, Divin, Porter

Goals: Cittadini 7’, Gow 86’ (Pen)

Sydney United starting XI: Orlovic (GK), Rule, Tomelic, Nakano, Tilo, Ozanic, Rose, Milicevic, Pratezina, Mow, Cementi

Bench: Arambasic, Ivancic, Janjetovic, Knez, Koko, Krslovic

Needing a win to have any chance of making the next stage, the Adelaide side wasted no time as Fabian Barbiero forced a deep turnover and found Michael Cittadini in the 7th minute, who scored his third goal in four games.

Despite having myriad opportunities, MetroStars would have to wait until the 86th minute for the sealer as Hamish Gow converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Thomas Visser, who dribbled around three United players in the box before being brought down.

Once the final whistle was blown, it became a waiting game as APIA Leichhardt had to either win or lose by three goals for MetroStars to qualify.

Fortunately for the South Australians, the Sydneysiders won 4-1—although there was a hearts-in-mouths moment when Bayswater scored to make it 2-1 with over 25 mintues to play.

MetroStars will now travel to Melbourne to take on Heidelberg United on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s excitement,” said Cittadini when asked what the overriding emotion is the day after the match.

“[We] started off the group a little bit shaky with the two losses, [but] we’re picking up form at the right time, and now we’ve got to go play one of the best teams in the country, which’ll be good.”

After the match, both sides went into the club rooms for a plate of pasta while they watched the other game and discovered the fate of the group.

“It was definitely a nerve-racking time, because we know that they’re dangerous, Bayswater,” admitted Cittadini.

“However, APIA just really turned on the jets [and] after that 3-1 [goal] … [it] eased the nerves a little bit.”

Despite what the result meant, Cittadini revealed that the celebrations were measured.

“We’re qualified, but we haven’t done anything yet to be fair,” he said, “So we’re just more focused on the challenge ahead.

“If you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, I guess. We’ve got a big challenge on our hands, but I know we can do it as a club.”

The striker says his strong form of late can be put down to the team’s collective form.

“It’s a good atmosphere, it’s positive, and that’s what makes me play my best football—when everyone’s ticking and everyone’s playing well, I’m the same,” he revealed.

“Key players have stepped up, along with all our squad players as well—everyone’s come together and even training’s all competitive. It’s a good vibe.”

Cittadini says he and his teammates have watched Heidelberg’s matches and are relishing what’s to come.

“Obviously everyone’s seen a lot of them,” said the forward, “I think they’re a really great footballing team—they’ve got a great coach.

“I expect the best [from them], they’re a great footballing side—and so are we as well, so I’m excited to play against one of the best teams in the country and it’ll really put us to the test, which is good.

“It’s what we need as a club, it’s where we want to be—on the national stage.

“I’ve got full belief in our team,” he continued. “I think people have seen that we can put up a fight against really good teams, and [in] the last three years we’ve been close to beating some good A-League sides as well.

“I think when we’re on our day, we’re just as good as any team in the country. I think definitely—we can come down [to Melbourne] and give it a good crack, that’s for sure.”