Adelaide United hope FFA Cup glory can inspire A-League title

ADELAIDE United will hope their FFA Cup triumph can inspire an A-League championship in the near future, just as it did 18 months after its breakthrough cup triumph.

FOUR years normally represents a new World Cup cycle or, in the case of Australian politics, three Prime Ministers.

For Adelaide United, the time spanned the gap between its maiden FFA Cup triumph and Tuesday night’s final against Sydney FC.

Hindmarsh Stadium was again at its boisterous best and bursting at the seams for the visit of the Sky Blues, just as it was for the inaugural decider against Perth Glory in 2014.

And that was not where the similarities ended.

Spaniard Sergio Cirio was the hero when he slotted in a second-half winner to sink the Glory on his way to man-of-the-match honours four years ago.

United players celebrate the win. Picture: AAP

This time it was Craig Goodwin, cup-tied for the 2014 decider, who produced a world-class brace to steer the Reds to their second knockout title and secure the Mark Viduka Medal.

First the SA-born winger smashed in an unstoppable free kick midway through the first half to give Adelaide the lead.

He then struck a sublime first-time drive into the top corner from Ben Halloran’s knock down 16 minutes from time to send the home fans into dreamland.

Goodwin was a constant menace throughout for the visitors, showing more of the form which has surely put him in the frame for a Socceroos recall.

HISTORY! Goodwin fires Reds to FFA Cup glory

Indeed he might have put Adelaide in front just after the break with another superb set piece which curled just wide of the upright.

The Reds failed to repeat the clean sheet which ensured victory against the Glory four years earlier and the visitor’s equaliser was mostly United’s own doing.

Jordan Elsey, another to have missed out against Perth having ruptured his ACL a month earlier, under-hit a backpass to Paul Izzo and the keeper brought down Adam Le Fondre.

The Sky Blues striker showed no mercy from the resulting spot kick, smashing in the equaliser.

How United could have done with its own version of the Englishman.

The hosts once more had Halloran leading the line in the absence of George Blackwood, Baba Diawara (both injured) and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (international duty).

But the speedy wide man again worked hard in the No.9 role and provided the assist for the winner.

Craig Goodwin was the hero for United. Picture: AAP

Adelaide at times lacked the creative spark which Argentine playmaker Marcelo Carrusca had provided back in 2014 as he set up Cirio’s goal with a killer pass.

Midfielder Mirko Boland, who made a surprise return after missing Friday’s A-League meeting with Newcastle, instead put in a workmanlike shift in the No.10 role, often dropping deep to break up opposition attacks.

The German’s non-nonsense display spoke volumes for the hard work demanded of his coach and compatriot Marco Kurz.

United delivered it in bucketloads, despite missing five key players.

Hindmarsh Stadium was rocking. Picture: Sarah Reed

Lesser sides might have sat deep and hoped for the best against Sydney’s star-studded line-up. Instead Adelaide rode out its periods on the back foot and dug deep to create the better openings in the second half.

Just two Reds players – defender Michael Marrone and midfield general Isaias – survived from the triumph over the Glory which secured the club’s first knockout title.

Where former captain Eugene Galekovic hoisted the cup aloft to the delight of the loyal home fans following the 2014 victory, Spanish skipper Isaias did likewise post-match.

Adelaide will hope the success can inspire an A-League championship in the near future, just as it did 18 months after its breakthrough cup triumph.

Get every match of the 2018/19 Hyundai A-League LIVE. Get Sport HD + Entertainment with no lock in contract and no iQ4 set up costs. SIGN UP TODAY! T&C’s Apply