South Melbourne and Sydney FC meet at Lakeside Stadium in the first semi-final of the FFA Cup. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm (AEDT).
After a miraculous run through the rounds, particularly the qualifying match for the round of thirty-two, where four late goals saw them eclipse Dandenong City, South Melbourne arrive at the doorstep of history, hoping to become the first non A-League team to compete in an FFA Cup final.
If they are able to pull off another surprise and move on, they will have to find a way to pick apart the current A-League Champions. That’s something nobody has been able to do with any confidence or consistency over the last twelve months.
With a sell-out of eight thousand people expected, the Victorians will have plenty of local support and their squad has sprinkles of real goal scoring potential which could provide threats to the stoic Sydney defence.
Sydney come off a tough Saturday night big blue and will need to recover well in order to match the enthusiasm and adrenaline that South Melbourne will surely bring.
From a style perspective, there is no doubt that Sydney will stick to what they do best and allow South Melbourne uncontested possession if they choose to patiently build from the back. When the home team do decide to venture forward, Sydney will frantically close the space in the hope of a quick turnover.
When Sydney FC take possession, they will use their mid-field talents to try to breakdown the South Melbourne defence that has conceded frequently through the campaign.
Prediction
While the fairy-tale looms ominously for the visitors and a few injuries stretch their resources, Sydney FC will find a way to sneak past South Melbourne in a match that could prove closer than some might think.
Sydney 2-0.
Catch all the action on The Roar from 7.20pm (AEDT).
Nemesis
Guest
No problem. Aussies have to understand there are many comps each season so many Champions. Esp in FFACup. Could conceivably have NPL Champs from each State, National NPLChamps, State League Champs, ACL Champs, erc etc
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sydney FC have moved through to the final of the FFA for the second year running after a comfortable 5-1 victory over a gallant South Melbourne at the Lakeside Stadium. The home side started well yet it was Sydney who struck first with a David Carney goal with the first half hour. Not too long after Bobo added to the scoring and the lead appeared comfortable. South Melbourne played well throughout the first half and a few chances flashed across the Sydney goal, converting those chances was to be their biggest challenge in the second half as the visitors took the lead into half-time. The weather was to play a key role in the second half despite the early comeback from South Melbourne, who pulled a goal back from a left footed strike by Minopoulos within two minutes of the resumption. The next ten minutes saw numerous chances for South Melbourne, however Sydney held firm and started to wrestle the game back on their terms. A clever back-heel from Bobo in the midst of a torrent of rain and a wonderful turn from Sebastian Ryall in the box made the score line 4-1 and a final strike from Matt Simon after an unselfish nudge from Bobo sealed the deal for Sydney. The A-League Club will now wait to see who their opponent will be in the Final. A juicy clash with Western Sydney could prove an epic and Adelaide would also provide a stern test for the best side in the nation right now. Well played South Melbourne. It was a splendid run and a chance at the final, unfortunately monopolised by A-League clubs. We can’t be too far away from this pattern being broken. Final Score South Melbourne 1 Sydney 5
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Match report to follow in 15 minutes
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full-time here at Lakeside South Melbourne 1 Sydney 5
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Millar and Minopoulos have been excellent for South Melbourne.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Not a done deal just yet, but still mouth-watering.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
This raises the likelihood of Sydney Derby FFA Cup final. Wow there is something to savour.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'91 Kalik with a late shot for Sydney yet his effort goes wide.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Yeah but SFC are just too miserly and cranky a side, in the image of Arnold :) , to let an NPL beat them. Just way too much class and fire power.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'88 Sydney grinding this game down. With another A-League match on Sunday, they will need everyone healthy after three games in eight days.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
A bit of a shame Stevo. Was a good game brewing at 2-1. Perhaps the lack of recent football has really hurt the southerners.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'85 A shame for South Melbourne, they have competed well through the night. Not sure weather the weather helped or hampered them.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
It's raining goals. Can't see the Oceania Team of the Century turning this around. SFC will be way too stingy to let them have a sniff.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
You know Sydney are playing well when Matt Simon is scoring. Not really his greatest attribute.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'83 Retre with a ball into the box, Bobo sets it up for Simon and...........GOAL Sydney.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Brillante has played a great role in mid field for Sydney tonight. Millar has been the best for South Melbourne.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Zullo off for Sydney and Retre comes on.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'81 South Melbourne 1 Sydney 4
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'80 Sydney push forward yet the ball to Simon catches him off-side.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'78 Sydney into attck gain and the header for Bobo finds the keeper.