Sydney FC and Adelaide United meet at Allianz Stadium in the FFA Cup final for 2017. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Both Marco Kurz and Graham Arnold have talked the talked in recent weeks, speaking of playing strong squads and leaving nothing on the table in an effort to take home the trophy.
With recent injuries, the Adelaide squad will no doubt be stretched, yet their astonishing fightback last week against the Mariners showed just how much spirit and steel there is in the squad.
A fortnight ago, things looked a little bleak for Sydney, after a poor loss to the Mariners, however they returned to some better form against Newcastle the following week and come into this game with much of their confidence back.
The perception will be that the Sky Blues have slightly fresher legs and more flexibility to put a team on the pitch that is ready to fire, yet the Reds have shocked a few this season and a victory here is well within their capabilities.
Prediction
Sydney have a touch more class in the midfield and with both teams having weapons up front capable of finishing, providing service will be the key.
A Sydney victory seems most likely.
Sydney 3-1 Adelaide
Catch all the action on The Roar’s live coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
LuckyEddie
Guest
Shows you what he thinks of the FFA cup medal. Still the SFC PR machine will try to grind some TV time out of it and Zullo will probably be nominated for some PC type award. The dribble never ends but SFC cannot pull a big crowd. I think Zullo might be one of those inner city Soy Boys.
Michael Mills
Guest
Zullo gave his medal to the kid.
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
"Poor kid"?.... Ball boy assaulted?. ..you drama queen. The ball boy refused to hand over the ball. Is that how they train them in Syderney?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
The ball kid? Really?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
In a night of drama and intrigue, Sydney FC have outlasted Adelaide United in the best FFA Cup Final we have ever seen. Adelaide were the better team early and looked like scoring first, yet the sky blues’ defence does what is always does and held firm throughout the first fifteen minutes. Soon after, the dexterous skill of Milos Ninkovic found a little space in the box and Sydney hit the front after nineteen minutes. Sydney went on an extended period of dominance in the first half before Adelaide had a few late chances and the sky blues took a slender lead into the break. Adelaide looked the most likely early in the second half yet couldn’t crack the resolute defence of Sydney. Seemingly against the run of play, Nikola Mileusnic found space and launched an outstanding shot on goal than left Redmayne stranded after sixty eight minutes. From that point on the game bobbed and weaved with both teams desperately searching for the winner. No such goal was coming and the game went into extra-time. Adelaide were by far the better team early in the first team and a goalless period would have seen them feeling confident. But just as penalties seemed likely mid-way through the second period, Bobo latched onto a cross and slotted home the winner. The drama was only just beginning as a Sydney FC ball boy was bowled over by Michael Marrone in an attempt to speed up the play and the Sydney FC players took exception, leading to a melee on the sideline. In a dramatic night for Australian football, Sydney FC claimed the third piece of silverware they craved and Adelaide United leave, lamenting lost opportunities. Football was the winner tonight. Final Score Sydney 2 Adelaide 1
Evan Askew
Guest
I would say the kid was cheating. But a red card had to be given.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
How did Ochieng manage to so comprehensively butcher that chance from a couple of metres from goal? Reds had chances to steal this game and fluffed it.
tully101
Roar Guru
And they gave the kid a medal, that's a bit dramatic
Redondo
Guest
great game - great football both teams
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the blog it was a great night. Match report to follow in ten minutes.
anon
Roar Pro
The child went to the ground like a crumpled heap. Charged at him, pushed him to the ground. If someone did that to a security guard or someone one the sideline that would be one thing. But to a child?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Wait till you see it Docker..........the poor kid.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sydney FC now own the three trophies and make a statement to the rest of the league.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME Sydney 2 Adelaide 1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Adelaide with a late chance and Redmayne cleans it up..........surely that is it.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
What an amazing game this is.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Adelaide corner.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
122' Sydney 2 Adelaide 1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
He doesn't know genius when he sees it.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I’m not actually watching, so I’m basing this off social media and this blog, but was that a deserved red card? Half of the twittersphere is saying the ball-boy was “time-wasting” or “cheating”, the other half says Marrone deserved the red. I’m puzzled.