There will be no Sydney derby in the FFA Cup final, with Adelaide United winning through to the 2017 decider, defeating Western Sydney 2-1 in their semi-final.
At Campbelltown Stadium on Tuesday night, two strikes from new Reds imports won a place in next month’s showpiece against Sydney FC before Wanderers stalwart Brendon Santalab replied from the penalty spot.
Jonathan Aspropotamitis’ nightmare clanger allowed Johan Absalonsen to set the Reds on their way on 13 minutes, before Daniel Adlung’s super second-half strike.
The Reds’ win means new boss Marco Kurz will have the chance to win a trophy in just his 12th game with Adelaide.
The German oversaw a masterclass in soaking up pressure and taking chances against the Wanderers.
Their first chance came gift-wrapped by Aspropotamitis.
The young Wanderers’ defender took an airswing at a loose ball as Absalonsen lurked and out-muscled him, rolling the ball past Vedran Janjetovic.
Western Sydney dominated possession and shots as they searched for an equaliser.
They came closer to red cards.
Roly Bonevacia and Isaias traded yellow cards for tackles on each other within five first-half minutes, with the Wanderer lucky to stay on the pitch.
Aspropotamitis also could have been dismissed for an elbow to George Blackwood’s head just a minute after a booking for a late challenge on Nikola Mileusnic.
Referee Peter Green also missed Jacob Melling’s full-blooded two-footed tackle on Jordan Elsey on 68 minutes.
By that stage, the Reds were two up after Adlung had lashed home off the post from outside the box.
Instead of being down a man, the Wanderers had a lifeline.
Santalab dispatched a Panenka-style penalty – dubiously awarded by Green – past Paul Izzo to keep their hopes of a first Cup final alive.
Adelaide held firm and will return to the final for the first time since winning the inaugural competition.
The loss is Western Sydney’s first since Tony Popovic walked out of the club on the eve of the season.
It will also lengthen the club’s wait for a first piece of silverware since winning the 2014 Asian Champions League.
FFA will announce the venue for the final, set to be held on Tuesday November 21, in coming days.
j,binnie
Guest
Ken - Of far more importance was the tactical use of Isaias in the sometime five man defensive line being presented to WSW. This is pure German innovation and reflects well on the tactical nous of new coach Kurz, not only has he got his players fit he also has them extremely well disciplined as to the task at hand. Isaias was superb in his organising role, and didn't the the young centre-backs respond well to his promptings. Cheers jb.
Post_hoc
Guest
Vin, he jumped into the ball, not the player, that is the difference.
Ken Spacey
Guest
Adelaide have suffered from lack of scoring options at times particularly outside the box. Already have three contenders for goals of the year. Even if Adlung and Lia don't do that very often the fact that they can shoot will help open up defences. Hope Kurz will use Baba more as even in the cameos he is a class act.
vin
Guest
Fair call, there was a draw, im deluded in seeing red over the Bonevacia studs into the calf of Isias where the ball was 2 metres away? wow ok melling and the adelaide player both went 50/50 for the ball, the difference was Melling jumping both feet into the player, have a look at the same tackle around the world and you tell me what the outcome was every time.
Post_hoc
Guest
Because you can't introduce VAR 3/4 of the way into a competition. How do you expect Hills Brumbies versus Gerringong Breakers to have VAR?
Post_hoc
Guest
YES, the draw was televised LIVE after the Wanderers match against Black town City. If you think Roly's was a red card you are fairly deluded, if you think roly's was a red then Isais was equally a Red (personally I think both were justified yellow) As for Melling, it wasn't a Red, both were going for a loose ball that no one had control of, both slid in Melling actually got the ball and neither player was injured. Yes it looked bad, but I actually think Herds tackle from behind was worse. I think more yellows should have been given, but I don't see any reds.
mattq
Roar Rookie
why aren't they using VAR? how can you have it in one comp and not another if it's supposed to provide great improvements on the game here?
vin
Guest
Did you see them get drawn out of a hat? Bonevacia 14 minute - red card Melling - Both feet jumping tackle - red card 10/10 times softest penalty allowing Wanderers into the game. yeah i dont see any favourtism towards the wanderers at all!
Post_hoc
Guest
Advantage? Two teams were drawn out of a pot, the first team gets to be at home. How is that an advantage set up by the FFA? Yes it was a soft penalty, mind you the derby had a soft penalty, the difference however was that cost the Wanderers the game, this penalty didn't cost Adelaide. As for Aspro, his first yellow was pretty soft (considering how many similar tackles by both sides worse than that were let go) the second tackle should have been a yellow, but no way should he have been sent off. Melling, BOTH went for a lose ball, BOTH slid in, NEITHER were injured it was a 50/50 neither had control over, I think people need to calm down a little.
vin
Guest
Wanderers were given so much advantage by FFA with a home semi, plus the softest penalty ive seen in the aleague, and still couldnt win to set up the dream FFA cup final the FFA could dream for.
chris
Guest
Have to agree there. I know the refs have been encouraged to let play flow (even extending injury time) but some of the tackling has been downright dangerous.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Too much has been let go in terms of bad tackles and challenges. This needs to be cleaned up so we can see more football.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
There have been a few games now where rather ugly tackles have gone unpunished. I am somewhat concerned that this season may see the creative players being kicked off the park and impact unjuries taking a heavy toll on squads.
Franko
Guest
Those three were the most obvious red cards, then of course was Risdons scissor from behind which didnt get a yellow, he later picked up a yellow for a professional foul and should have been off. Softest penalty ive seen for a while but anything to try and get a derby final, right......?