We’re finally at the FFA Cup final. Adelaide United will play Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium to to see who is the FFA Cup 2019 champion. Can City equalise Adelaide’s record of two FFA Cups, or can the Reds win unprecedented back-to-back titles? We’ll find out in three weeks, but how did both teams get to where they are? Well, we’re going to have to look at the semi-finals to answer that.

Results

Brisbane Strikers 1 – 5 Melbourne City

Central Coast Mariners 1 – 2 Adelaide United

Analysis

Brisbane Strikers played Melbourne City in the early kick off and came in as massive underdogs. The Queensland NPL side actually took the lead in the third minute through Andy Pengelly after a mistake from City keeper Dean Bouzanis. City equalised in the 30th minute through Connor Metacliffe following a great pass from Jamie Maclaren.

City took the lead three minutes after the interval thanks to a tap in from Maclaren at the near post. Marcelo Cabrera then scored City’s third after turning a cross from Florin Berenguer. Craig Noone then teed up Jamie Maclaren’s second goal and City’s fourth of the night. Scott Galloway then scored a screamer in injury time to finish a ruthless second half from the Cityzens.

In the second game, the resurgent Central Coast Mariners took on reigning FFA Cup champions Adelaide in front of a 6000-strong crowd at Gosford. The first half was a nervy affair, with Ben Halloran, Jordan Elsey and Riley McGree standing out for the Reds. It was the Mariners who had the better first half however, with Ziggy Gordon causing problems down the right flank and young Adelaide keeper Isaac Richards being tested multiple times.

There was controversy at the end of the half, with Mariners goalkeeper Mark Birrightti striking George Blackwood in the chest. Referee Shaun Evans didn’t see anything in it, and play resumed

The Mariners then took the lead in the 63rd minute through a brilliant, long range free kick from Jack Clisby that left Adelaide on the back foot. The game changed when Matt Simon was sent off (shock horror) from an aerial challenge that left Elsey bleeding from the mouth. Substitute Nikola Mileusnic then fired a low cross for Blackwood to slot in.

Adelaide used the extra-man advantage to great effect when Elsey then played a pass through the Mariners midfield to Norwegian striker Kristian Opseth, who played a ball to returning midfielder Riley McGree, who slotted home in the 90th minute, booking a showdown with Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium.

Cup Final Prediction

Adelaide 3 – 2 Melbourne City

Goals: Toure, Mileusnic, McGree | Noone, Maclaren

Semi-Final predictions: 2/2

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