Adelaide United has reached the Westfield FFA Cup 2017 Final thanks to a resilient 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at Campbelltown Stadium on Tuesday night.
Goals from Johan Absalonsen and Daniel Adlung sealed the Reds’ progression to the showpiece event for the second time in the Club’s history.
Brendon Santalab grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot in the semi-final clash, despite replays indicating it was rather controversial.
Marco Kurz made two enforced changes to the line-up from the league match against Melbourne Victory. Injured pair Ersan Gülüm and Vince Lia were replaced by Ben Warland and Nathan Konstandopoulos respectively, while Baba Diawara returned to the bench.
It was an end-to-end start to the match with both sides looking to push forward and create early chances.
It was Adelaide who broke the deadlock first through Absalonsen as he grabbed his second goal in the competition with a close-range finish.
After taking the lead Kurz’s men absorbed much of the pressure but showed great concentration and organisation to keep the Wanderers at bay.
But the Reds did appear threatening on the break, without musting a whole lot.
The second-half saw Adelaide regain the ascendency and they doubled their lead in stunning fashion courtesy of Adlung’s long-range dipping shot.
However, the deficit would be halved in controversial circumstances as Isaías was adjudged to have fouled Santalab in the area, before the striker dispatched his spot-kick.
But Adelaide held on for the win and a chance to taste early season silverware with a meeting against Sydney FC next month.
Key moments
13’ | GOAL! George Blackwood flicks Ben Garuccio’s throw-in to Absalonsen, who wriggles past Aspro before seeing his finish trickle in off the post.
Here's the moment @AdelaideUnited took the lead through Johan Absalonsen. #WSWvADL #FFACup pic.twitter.com/j10R1H8Lyo
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) October 24, 2017
15’ | Roly Bonevacia is fortunate to remain on the park after he stamps on Isaías’ calf and his shown a yellow card.
30’ | Garuccio recovers to make a crucial sliding challenge to deny Oriol Riera from testing Paul Izzo.
54’ | Riera heads wide Jack Clisby’s
58’ | GOAL! Adlung receives the ball from Nathan Konstandopoulos outside the box and the German unleashes a swerving long-range strike which goes in off the upright.
Here's the goal that sealed @AdelaideUnited's place in a second #FFACup Final. #WSWvADL pic.twitter.com/vYcKs2p9yH
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) October 24, 2017
67’ | Jacob Melling flies in double footed on Jordan Elsey but escapes a red card, let alone a caution.
69’ | Michael Marrone rounds off an incisive attacking move, shooting low at Vedran Janjetovic.
70’ | Goal! The hosts pull a goal back thanks to a controversial penalty, audaciously scored by Santalab.
Match Details:
Tuesday, 24 October 2017
Westfield FFA Cup 2017 Semi-final
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Santalab 70’)
Adelaide United 2 (Absalonsen 13’ Adlung 58’)
Venue: Campbelltown Stadium
Attendance: 5,126
