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Johannesburg claim Regional Cup in shock replay win.
Posted by: Jkthesunman, 2026-06-19, 41 ViewsJohannesburg claimed their first regional cup with a replay victory over powerhouse Beijing. After surviving the first game despite the Chinese sides’ dominance a week ago both teams wrapped up their divisional championships with Beijing making jt a 5th crown in a row and Johannesburg winning promotion back to division 1 after their own record breaking campaign. Beijing were also looking to do the cup double for the 3rd year in a row and were going for an unprecedented treble with the WES cup final still to play.
Johannesburg started brightly by creating some chances for strikers Kosevich and Estrada, but Billy Blackburn managed to keep the latters shot out. Frustration crept in on the Beijing team and they quickly suffered 3 bookings which will mean suspensions for their WES Cup final, this was quickly forgotten as outstanding striker Dukanac added another goal to his tally, breaking the offside trap and scoring past Jimmy Michel in the Johannesburg goal. Beijing began to establish dominance with Johannesburg giving away some cheap free kicks, but these couldn’t be converted into chances.
After the break the game simmered quietly into life with Beijing forcing some last gasp defending to prevent Dukanac from his second. Then a moment that will live forever in the history of the Johannesburg fans. Vasyl Kosevich forced Billy Blackburn into a save moments before and as he broke through after a long ball, Kosevich was taken down by Blackburn outside the area. Vasyl stepped up a whipped a wicked ball into the area and Denis Durand climbed highest to head the ball into the far corner sending the crowd into a frenzy. Joy was short lived as Johannesburg were forced into 2 changes due to injury forcing a reshuffle in defence. But that seemed to light a fire under Geraldo Estrada who after a tricky pass from substitute Enrique Frontan smacked the outside of the post. His redemption arrived moments later as after another whipped ball into the box by Kosevich enabled his strike partner to slide in with the easiest of finishes at the back post. The Johannesburg fans erupted in delight. This appeared to be the knockout blow against Beijing as Johannesburg had chances to add a third with Vandendriessche and Cho both having opportunities to finish the game off. Beijing threw everything at Johannesburg but they withstood a last minute shot from Riquelme to become the regional champions of ROW in an unlikely David vs Goliath type victory.
Johannesburg’s first Regional cup victory coinciding with only their 4th Division 2 crown will long live in the memories of the fans in their historic season.
