Perth Glory, Wellington, WS Wanderers all through to FFA Cup final 16

Last year's runners-up Perth Glory progressed into the round of 16 of the FFA Cup after a narrow 4-3 penalty shootout victory over the Newcastle Jets after the scores were locked at 2-2 after extra time on Tuesday evening.

The stakes were high heading into the match with both sides looking to rebuild following their respective controversies last season. The Glory were ousted from the A-League finals following their salary cap scandal while the the Jets have begun a new era under FFA control following their recent financial struggles.

It was the Novocastrians who got off to a better start with new recruit Labinot Haliti almost drawing first blood in the eighth minute when a marauding run eventually saw his shot across the face of the goal saved by former Wanderers teammate Jerrad Tyson.

The Jets built upon their early dominance when David Carney opened the scoring midway through the first half after pouncing on a defensive error from Antony Golec before blasting a powerful shot past a helpless Tyson.

Haliti continued to threaten as he stung the palms of Perth's custodian in the 33rd minute with a crisp strike before sending a volley into the back of the net from the far post only to be ruled offside.

A frenetic start to the second half saw the Glory immediately place their opponents on the back foot as Scott Miller's men struggled to retain possession.

Read the rest of my FFA Cup review at ESPN FC

Sydney FC and Adelaide United progress to the FFA Cup round of 16

Adelaide United proved to be a class above minnows Darwin Olympic as they opened their FFA Cup title defence with a comfortable 6-1 win at Darwin Football Stadium on Wednesday night.

The stakes were undoubtedly high coming into the fixture. Darwin's encounter marked a historic moment for football in the Northern Territory as Steve Lolais' side became the first Territory side to compete in the nation-wide competition.

Meanwhile, the match also marked Adelaide United's first fixture since Josep Gombau's shock departure a little less than two weeks ago, with former Barcelona midfielder Guillermo Amor subsequently taking over the reins of the club.

There was very little to separate both sides in the opening stages with some pulsating end-to-end play in the opening 10 minutes whereby neither team were able to gain foothold in the match.

All of Olympic's good work thus far in the match soon came undone in the 17th minute when Marcelo Carrusca made no mistake from the penalty spot after Billy Kathopoulis cynically brought down Osama Malik to give the Reds the lead.

Read the rest of my FFA Cup review at ESPN FC

Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City win, make last 16 in Australia's FFA Cup

A-League champions Melbourne Victory began their FFA Cup campaign in scintillating fashion as they ruthlessly progressed to the last 16, defeating Balmain Tigers FC 6-0 at Leichardt Oval on Tuesday evening.

Coming into the match, Tigers manager Tass Fiakos was hopeful that the New South Wales State League side could pull off an upset, claiming that they were "certainly not going to lie down."

Despite a lively start where they were able to shut down space in midfield in the opening 10 minutes, the Tigers were brought back down to earth when the Victory drew first blood in the 11th minute when Besart Berisha slotted into the bottom corner off a Jesse Makarounas assist.

Kevin Muscat's side doubled their lead minutes shy from half-time when a well worked move on the right flank saw a Jason Geria cross find attacker Connor Pain unmarked at the far post for a simple tap in.

The Victory began the second half from where they left off, applying pressure on Balmain's defence as they easily monopolised possession, and they netted their third in the 56th minute when Kosta Barbarouses slotted home from 15 yards out.

Read the rest of my FFA Cup review at ESPN FC

Palm Beach Sharks knock South Melbourne out of Australia's FFA Cup

Australia's FFA Cup round of 32 matches kicked off in style on Wednesday night with the Palm Beach Sharks overcoming former National Soccer League giants South Melbourne 8-7 in a penalty shootout after the scores finished 1-1 after 120 minutes.

The Sharks looked determined to repeat last season's heroics, but it was the Victorians who got off to the better start with a couple of set-piece chances going close early on.

Their efforts were duly rewarded just after the half-hour mark when Milos Lujic headed home from the back post off a cross from the left-flank.

South Melbourne's lead was short-lived, however, when Florian Matk coolly converted from the spot after SM custodian Nikola Roganovic cynically brought down Rees Duncan in the box.

Lacklustre efforts in front of goal in the second half and extra-time saw both sides fail to secure the knock-out blow within 120 minutes of play.

Read the rest of my FFA Cup review at ESPN FC