- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Adelaide United have cruised to victory against the Central Coast Mariners to reach the inaugural FFA Cup final against Perth Glory on December 16.
Adelaide were far from their best and the Mariners did get a late consolation goal – but it was all Adelaide in the end, closing it out 3-2.
FINAL SCORE:
Adelaide 3
Central Coast 2
Adelaide United will start red-hot favourites when they take on the fellow A-League side, the Central Coast Mariners in the second semi-final of the inaugural FFA Cup at Coopers Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
It’s hard to argue with the bookies who have instilled the Reds as favourites for this tie. A-League form aside, they have had to account for A-League opposition in each of their three games.
The Reds have recorded wins against Wellington, Brisbane and an extra-time win against Sydney FC in the quarter final two weeks ago.
The Central Coast on the other hand, have had a much easier route to the final four, with wins against NPL sides South Coast Wolves, Olympic FC and a last start win against the Palm Beach Sharks on the Gold Coast.
And then of course there is the small matter of recovery. While the Reds played out a nil all draw with fellow A League high flyers Sydney FC on Friday night, the Mariners are coming off an energy and morale sapping loss on Sunday.
Which means while Adelaide have had a full four days to recover, the Mariners will be playing their second game in three days. Add to this the fact that Phil Moss’ side has lost three of their last four games and the odds certainly seem stacked against the side from Gosford.
Of course, it’s not just the short turn-around that the Mariners will have to deal with, there’s also the intimidating task of keeping Josep Gambau’s high-flying attacking force of Marcelo Carrusca, Awer Mabil and Sergio Cerio quiet.
The Reds will miss Bruce Djite, who is seemingly starting to live up to his potential, through injury, but have a worthy replacement with Pablo Sanchez slated for a return. We can also expect speedy winger Bruce Komau to get some game time.
Phil Moss, rested Josh Rose and Matt Sim from Sunday’s loss and will be looking at these two to help reinvigorate a Mariners side that has failed to click this year. With Mitch Duke, Malick Mane and Seung Yong Kim, they aren’t short on goal-scorers.
So will Josep Gombau’s side continue their winning ways or will Phil Moss’ strategy of resting key players from Sunday’s game against the Glory pay dividends?
One thing is for sure, one of these sides will join Perth Glory in the first ever FFA Cup final and have the chance to create history.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.