It required extra time for a result to be decided, but it was the home side in the end, the Bentleigh Greens advancing to the FFA Cup semi-finals following a 2-1 win against Adelaide City.
The Greens will be flying the flag for the underdog sides, as the only non-A-League team remaining in the the competitions first incarnation.
FINAL SCORE:
Greens 2
City 1
Two remaining NPL clubs and only one semi-final place. Which club will stand amongst the A-League elite in the semi-finals of the inaugural FFA Cup? Will it be the John Anastasiasdis led Bentleigh Greens or Damian Mori’s giant killers, Adelaide City? Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
The bookies may have them as favourites but Bentleigh, even with the home-ground advantage, have claimed the underdog status against an Adelaide side that boasts being the only NPL side to beat A-League opposition during the inaugural FFA Cup.
And the Greens may well find the going tough, without Ryan de Vries who scored the winner against Sydney Olympic in the Round of 16. Again they will be relying on Wayne Wallace and 2009 Football Superstar winner Luke Pilkington.
City on the other hand, have no such concerns with Damian Mori able to pick from a full squad. They may be the road for the first time in the Cup but if pacy striker Thomas Love and captain Matthew Halliday can continue their rich run of Cup form, the 100 or so reported Zebra fans travelling to Cheltenham will have plenty to cheer about.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle will be that neither side has played competitively since their last FFA Cup fixture. The side that has handled this lay-off the best will win tonight.
Say what you will about the format and scheduling of the FFA Cup, for these sides, it’s about proving there’s more to football in Australia than the Socceroos and the A-League, and one of them will make history tonight in the most unlikeliest of places.
Join The Roar at 7:30pm (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
Leonardo
Roar Guru
Hitch up the Souvlaki van, we're going to the big smoke.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
120' FT Lucien Lavedure thinks we've had enough and blows fulltime, ending City's Cup run but sending Bentleigh Greens through to the semi-finals of the inaugural FFA Cup. Kingston Heath erupts, there's souvlaki everywhere. For the Greens, Jamie de Abreu was the best on ground. He constantly had the City defence at sixes and sevens while captain Wayne Wallace commanded the midfield from the first whistle. City will ponder what may have been. Can the Greens spring a surprise in the semi's? On tonight's form you wouldn't expect so, but that's the beauty of the Cup, anything is possible and on any day, any side can be beaten. They'll find out their opponents on Friday. I've been @billyelliott thanks for following.
Leonardo
Roar Guru
Great game end to end stuff. The Greens go marching on.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
117' Opened up there for Costa but his shot skews off his left boot. He's been let down a few times tonight with his final touch... And another great chance goes begging to Costa again spooning his shot over the cross bar. He had done all the hard work, controlling the ball and using his body to turn the defender only to get under the ball which goes sailing safely over Bray's goal. Was that City's final chance? BEN 2 1 ADC
billyelliott
Roar Guru
114' Gallo trying to extend the Greens lead but his shot (or was it a cross) slides past the far post. Adelaide players look out on their feet. Bucco collides heavily with Bray and he is probably lucky not to pick up a second yellow. BEN 2 1 ADC
billyelliott
Roar Guru
112' City with a corner. Bit of push and shove in the six yard box. Seems sorted now. The delivery is poor. And Bray takes it easily and tries to send de Abreu on his way but it's out for a Greens throw. BEN 2 1 ADC
billyelliott
Roar Guru
110' Some sloppy, tired passes sneaking into the game now and that's to be expected. If Bentleigh win this,they'll owe a lot to their captain Wayne Wallace who has been immense in the middle of the park tonight. Adelaide have not found the answer to his strength. BEN 2 1 ADC
billyelliott
Roar Guru
Agree. They've really been up for the occasion. That said, City have been good in patches. Couldn't see either side causing an upset from here in the semi-finals
billyelliott
Roar Guru
107' Second half of extra time kicks off and Mori makes his final change. Acton on for Tobias. BEN 2 1 ADC
AZ_RBB
Guest
HUGE! Unlucky, Adelaide, but Bentleigh have been the better team over the course of the evening.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
That's the first half of extra time over and Bentleigh have got their noses in front. They have taken the game to Adelaide City and probably deserve their lead, City will need a vast improvement if they are to send this to penalties. Will Mori send on his son to score the goal that keeps City's Cup dream alive? BEN 2 1 ADC
billyelliott
Roar Guru
This guy beat me to it
billyelliott
Roar Guru
104' GOAL! Jamie De Abreu has been Bentleigh's best player and he gets his reward. Cuts inside after the ball from substitute Avice and smashes home with his left foot. BEN 2 1 ADC
AZ_RBB
Guest
David there is a distinct lack of souvlaki analysis in your commentary tonight. You could learn a thing or two from Cockerill and Aloisi.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
100' Ball is in the back of the net for Adelaide City but the referee has pulled them up for off-side. Goal doesn't count. Both sides probing but no one with a clear cut chance. The game has really slowed down at Kingston Heath. De Abreu wins a corner for Bentleigh. Nice delivery but the referee spots a foul and the pressure is relieved as Veitch plays out for City. BEN 1 1 ADC
billyelliott
Roar Guru
94' Into extra time and the tempo of the game has slowed right back down. Bentleigh getting much more time on the ball and they have a free kick on the edge of the box. The replay suggests Lucien got that one wrong. Cavallo standing over the ball for Bentleigh. He hits a delightful free kick. UP and over the wall and strikes the cross bar. City scramble and it's out for a Bentleigh corner. They deliver short and it is drilled in, saved by Veitch. BEN 1 1 ADC
billyelliott
Roar Guru
91' Bentleigh start the first period of extra time. Running right to left again. Can they continue their momentum and wrap this Cup tie up? BEN 1 1 ADC
billyelliott
Roar Guru
And we're heading to extra time. A late chance for Adelaide is saved well by Bray. Turns out Bozza might be right. DO you think we'll go to penalties at Kingston Heath or will one of these sides find the winner? BEN 1 1 ADC
billyelliott
Roar Guru
93' Game getting stretched now. SIdes taking turns running at each other, players on both teams are out on their feet. With two minutes of normal time will someone be the hero? BEN 1 1 ADC
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90' de Abreu with a chance to send the crowd into raptures but he hits his shot well over the bar. Golden chance to win it in normal time goes begging. BEN 1 1 ADC