Adelaide Olympic downs Adelaide City in FFA Cup SA final to advance to national round-of-32
Adelaide Olympic will make its debut on soccer’s national stage after downing Adelaide City in a roller coaster FFA Cup SA final to secure its maiden major silverware.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ADELAIDE Olympic will make its debut on soccer’s national stage after downing Adelaide City in a roller coaster FFA Cup SA final to secure its maiden major silverware.
The Ferryden Park club came from behind to defeat the Black and Whites 3-2 in the state knockout decider at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday.
Substitute Jacob Butler-Bowdon’s header 13 minutes from time settled a gripping contest, which included three lead changes and two second-half penalties.
It put Olympic in the hat for Wednesday’s national round-of-32 draw alongside A-League outfit Adelaide United and National Premier Leagues champion Campbelltown City.
Earlier captain Ricardo Da Silva’s opener for Olympic was cancelled out by Fabio Ferreira’s leveller midway through the first half.
The former Reds winger put the Black and Whites in front just after the break from the spot, following Daniel Vaughan’s penalty save from another ex-United star, Marcos Flores.
But Christos Pounendis squared the ledger once more, before Butler-Bowdon’s moment of glory against his previous club secured a hard-earned triumph for Olympic.
Coach George Tsonis praised his players character in prevailing with 10 men, after Michael Alexandrou went off with a head injury 10 minutes from time with all three substitutes used.
“I don’t think the reality has set in yet,” Tsonis said post-match.
“To City’s credit they came to play and it became a real arm-wrestle.
“But to play with 10 men ... and to come from behind with two penalties (for City), it’s a huge effort.
“A lot of our guys haven’t been here before in a final and I was a bit worried that maybe they could’ve crumbled.
“But to their credit they just pushed and pushed.
“The big carrot was to go and represent (SA) on the national stage.
That was my drive ... and we’ll enjoy the moment.”
City threatened almost from kick-off, when midweek signing Ferreira broke down the right and whipped in a dangerous cross which just evaded Anthony Costa’s head in the middle.
But Olympic hit the front in the third minute.
The ball was shifted wide to Argentine full back Paul Espina who played an early delivery into the box.
Fausto Erba’s initial effort was blocked by Haris Vukic, but another City old boy, Da Silva, pounced to slam in the rebound from 10m.
The Black and Whites equalised in the 20th minute.
Joe Costa fed youngster Stefan Casalbore on the left whose pinpoint delivery picked out Ferreira to head home powerfully from 8m.
Vaughan kept the score level with a fine block to deny Evan Kostopoulos and Joe Gauci did well to tip away Erba’s effort at the other end.
Referee Daniel Elder made two big calls early in the second half.
First Ferreira won a penalty when he burst into the area and was upended by the otherwise excellent Albanian international Kristi Vangjeli.
But Johnny Warren Medallist Flores’ spot kick was brilliantly kept out by the diving Vaughan.
Incredibly the Black and Whites were awarded another penalty just four minutes later as Alexandrou was harshly adjudged to have fouled the impressive Casalbore.
This time Ferreira made no mistake as he sent Vaughan the wrong way from 12 yards.
Manni Katopidis went close from a tight angle for Olympic and Gauci failed to hold a Pounendis’ free kick but was bailed out by his defence.
Olympic levelled again in the 67th minute.
Substitute Dimitri Toumazos showed composure to unselfishly cut the ball back for Pounendis who steered a clinical finish into the bottom corner from just inside the box.
Toumazos was denied by a brillant last-ditch tackle by Tomas Maricic after beating Gauci to a through ball, but Olympic grabbed the winner soon after.
Da Silva’s corner from the right was allowed to travel to the back post, where Butler-Bowdon ghosted in to head home unmarked.
Vaughan saved well from Ferreira late on with his team a player down and Maricic sent a free header wide when well placed in stoppage-time.
But Olympic held on to spark wild celebrations among the 3793 crowd.
Former City captain Matt Halliday was named man-of-the-match for a stellar display at the heart of the Olympic defence.
NRL star in hot water over inappropriate act
The Eels star could face sanctions after his inappropriate sideline act was met with a swift and angry reaction from fans.
NSWRL Junior Reps: Latest results, full wrap from round three
The third round of the NSWRL Junior Reps is upon us as teams begin to make their move. Catch up on all the latest results from around the ground across the four major divisions.