Adelaide United replicated last season’s FFA Cup result by sending Sydney FC out of the competition for the second time in as many years. The reigning Champions needed extra time once more, coming from 1-0 down to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The Sky Blues looked set to avenge last season’s woes when an intelligent lob from midfielder Rhyan Grant beat Eugene Galekovic from distance. The exuberance of youth dominated the early proceedings, but Adelaide responded well to going behind.
Strangling control, the Reds created a number of chances which saw Vedran Janjetovic deny close range efforts on a number of occassions and Sergio Cirio hit the post. This dominance culminated in a surging run from the Spaniard and a cross which found Pablo Sanchez at the back post who, rather unconvincingly, prodded home.
The second-half proved less eventful, but the game burst into life in the ensuing extra time period. An outstanding rabona-assist from Marcelo Carrusca found Dylan McGowan at the back post with the centre-back calmly slotting into an open net.
McGowan ensured he would dominate the headlines in the dying minutes when he saw red for a last ditch challenge on Sebastian Ryall. The Reds survived the final few minutes unscathed to continue their FFA Cup defence.
Formations
The home side lined up in their Gombau-esque 4-3-3 setup with Craig Goodwin moving to left-back to make up an otherwise familiar Adelaide back four consisting of Tarek Elrich, McGowan and Osama Malik. Carrusca returned to his favoured attacking-midfield role with Isaias the anchor. In the front third, pace was combined with power as Spanish wingers Sanchez and Cirio accompanied Bruce Djite.
Adelaide United XI – Galekovic (C); Elrich, Malik, McGowan, Goodwin; Isaias, Jeggo, Carrusca; Sanchez, Djite, Cirio.
Graham Arnold set up a relatively new-look Sydney FC side in the same 4-2-3-1 that saw them finish as runners-up in the most recent A-League campaign. Without many of their foreign stars, Sydney lined up with Matthew Jurman and Sebastian Ryall pairing up as centre-backs. Grant continued to play in the centre of midfield with Chris Naumoff moving infield to adopt the No.10 role. Shane Smeltz lead the line for the Sky Blues.
Sydney FC XI – Janjetovic; Calver, Ryall, Jurman, Woodcock; O’Neill, Grant; Hoole, Naumoff, Stambolziev; Smeltz (C).
Sydney FC’s high line
Graham Arnold came to Coopers Stadium with a plan as Sydney FC employed a high tempo, pressing game which naturally drew their back four high up the pitch. This proved effective in the opening stages as Sydney continued to win the ball back in key areas of the pitch.
However, once Guillermo Amor’s side found rhythm they began to puncture holes in Sydney’s back four. Time and time again Cirio, Sanchez and Carrusca ran clear of Jurman and company. The warning signs were there when Cirio broke only to crash his effort against the upright in the 34th minute.
However, Adelaide’s piercing runs came into full fruition for the equalising goal when Cirio burst past Sydney’s high defensive line before squaring intelligently for Sanchez.
The Goodwin evolution
Goodwin has impressed on many fronts since making the long journey west from Newcastle. The 23-year-old capped a wonderful 2014-2015 campaign where he played exclusively from the left-wing, scoring five times in 23 matches for the Reds.
However, new coach, Amor looks set to utilise Goodwin in another position, this was clear on Wednesday night. The former-Jet started the match from left-back in order to accommodate the Spanish duo of Cirio and Sanchez on either wing. But could this turn out to be an inspired tactical move?
Against Sydney, Goodwin’s peach of a left foot delivered time and time again into Sydney’s box. Considering Adelaide’s open and attacking style of play, he was able to stay high and wide when in possession, but also defended stoutly when called upon winning 60% of tackles and conceding just one foul in 120 minutes.
McGowan shows defensive nous
McGowan’s mixed performance had many prescribing him to the ‘hero come villain’ narrative. The defender first slotted home what turned out to be the winning goal, before being sent from the field just minutes later. Despite this the rangy centre-back hardly deserves the ‘villain’ tag.
In an astute piece of gamesmanship, McGowan brought down a goal-bound Ryall just outside the box, depriving Sydney of a golden chance to level.
Cynical? Yes. Desperate? Yes. Intelligent? Absolutely.
Conclusion
A tasty sub-plot begins to develop between these two sides, especially in FFA Cup fixtures. While Sydney were the ones to eliminate Adelaide from last season’s A-League finals, the Reds have twice dumped the Sky Blues from the country’s most coveted cup competition. It all makes for a trio of tantalising encounters when the impending A-League season gets underway.
As for the FFA cup, Amor will be looking to quickly add a trophy to his name with the popularity of his predecessor, Josep Gombau, no doubt weighing on his shoulders. With their fluent attacking football, Adelaide can beat anyone on their day and could go all the way for a second time running in the cup.
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