Perth Glory have ended the dream run of the Bentleigh Greens in the FFA Cup, securing a 3-0 victory to move through to the final against the winner of Adelaide United vs the Central Coast Mariners.
FINAL SCORE
Bentleigh Greens 0
Perth Glory 3
Can the Bentleigh Greens make history and deny an all A-League decider for the inaugural FFA Cup? Or will it be Perth Glory getting an early season tilt at a trophy? Join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) for coverage of the first ever FFA Cup semi-final.
As the last remaining federation club in the FFA Cup, all eyes will be on the Bentleigh Greens as they take on the league-leading Perth Glory.
The Victorian club earned their way to tonight’s penultimate event with victories over Blacktown City, Sydney Olympic and Adelaide City.
While their opponents are here courtesy of wins over the Newcastle Jets, St Albans Saints, and Melbourne Victory.
It will be an interesting battle as the surprise leaders of the A-League take on a team of part-timers who are playing out of season.
How the Greens can win:
The best chance for the Bentleigh Greens to win this match is to not let the Glory dictate terms. The Greens have prided themselves on their defence throughout this campaign, and if they can weather the storm they could catch the Glory on the counter.
They have players in Luke Pilkington and Luke O’Dea who have previously been involved in a professional environment, and know what it takes to win.
They say home is where the heart is, and the 3000 fans who will cram into Kingston Heath tonight could be a secret weapon for the home side.
If nothing else it should create a spectacular atmosphere.
How the Glory can win:
Despite the handicap of playing in fairly humid conditions just 48 hours ago, Perth have two things that the Bentleigh Greens can only dream about.
Squad depth and access to a professional training environment.
Perth won’t want this match going anywhere near extra time (and especially penalties) as they have to back up again for a clash with a desperate Wanderers side on Saturday.
Accordingly they will want to finish this game early, and attacking with purpose is their best way to achieve this.
A potential problem for the Glory is their finishing. They spurned several clear-cut chances against the Mariners on Sunday and won’t want to make the same mistake.
Likely result:
While football fans will be hoping for a romantic story for the inaugural FFA Cup, it’s unlikely to be tonight.
It is true that stranger things have happened in cup-ties across the world, and it would be fantastic for the game if the Greens could get up, but something special is brewing out in the West and Kenny Lowe’s charges should win this one comfortably.
Midfielder
Guest
Well done to the Pith but great game by the BG's
Midfielder
Guest
Clever
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Thanks for following tonight's match. Enjoy the rest of your evening.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
A brilliant brace from Marinkovic and a late goal from Chris Harold was enough to get the Glory home against the gallant Greens. The Glory must be pinching themselves, they've had a pretty good week. They sit atop the A-League after five rounds, and now are the first team into the FFA Cup final which will be played on December 16. They find out who their opponents will be tomorrow night when Adelaide United and the Central Coast Mariners do battle in the second semi-final.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
In the end the Glory did it fairly comfortably, but the Bentleigh Greens gave a good account of themselves as they have throughout their FFA Cup campaign. Despite it coming to an end tonight, the John Anastasiadis coached side have given their fans plenty to smile about. They truly deserve their title as the last non A-League side standing.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Perth Glory 3 Bentleigh Greens 0
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Roar Guru
2 minutes of stoppage time will be played.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
The home side make their final change. Pilkington comes off and Foster enters the fray. Chris Harold has a shot from distance, but it sails into the carpark.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
86' Change for the Greens Teichman on for O'Dea who put in a good shift.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Apologies for not listing the substitutes earlier this evening. Bentleigh Greens Van Corler (gk), Avice, Losty, Teichman, Foster. Perth Glory Thurtell (gk), O’Neill, Harold, Risdon, Edwards.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
83' GOAL That should seal the deal with Harold getting on the sheet with a clinical finish. Nice buildup from the Glory, and the small contingent of Glory fans are very happy with that. Glory 3 Greens 0
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Roar Guru
82' O'Dea goes so close for the Greens. He slipped at the final moment and the chance goes begging. Sub Perth: O'Neill on Griffiths off.
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Roar Guru
Vukovic handles a shot comfortably. Good positioning by the shot-stopper.
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Roar Guru
77' The Greens are playing all over the Glory at the moment, but can't quite get a clear-cut chance in the final third. Glory 2 Greens 0
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
76' lovely release from Bray puts the home side back on the attack. He wouldn't look out of place in a professional environment. He's kept well, and has only been beaten by two pieces of magic.
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Roar Guru
69' Crowd appeals for penalty as it appeared that Gallo was held back after a lovely cross from De Abreau. Griffiths-Jones says no dice. The ref is channelling his inner Ben Williams tonight as he gives it another yellow to the home side with Webster entering the book. Glory 2 Greens 0
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Roar Guru
66' Inspirational run from the captain Wallace who makes a swerving run through the heart of the Glory defence and then fires off a shot from distance. Not sure if Vukovic saw it as he throws himself at it. Djulbic picks up a yellow.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
64' Pilkington picks up a yellow, and Griffiths-Jones has the home fan's hearts in their mouths for a minute as he pulls out a red, but quickly puts it away as he realised he hasn't actually booked Pilkington previously. Changes; Harold is on for Hersi, McCormick for Avice
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Roar Guru
63' Now Pilkington has a crack from distance, powerfully struck and it just rises over the bar. Good effort. Glory 2 Greens 0
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
61' O'Dea brings the crowd to their feet as he flashes a shot just wide of Vukovic's near post. Lovely work from the captain Wallace who teed him up.