Adelaide United’s FFA Cup final against rival Sydney FC at Hindmarsh Stadium on track for sellout
ADELAIDE United’s FFA Cup final clash against rival Sydney FC is looming to be another Hindmarsh Stadium sellout, according to Reds chief executive Nathan Kosmina.
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ADELAIDE United’s FFA Cup final clash against eternal rival Sydney FC is looming to be another Hindmarsh Stadium sellout, according to Reds chief executive Nathan Kosmina.
After 16,142 fans witnessed Adelaide hoisting the inaugural FFA Cup trophy in 2014 in a 1-0 win over Perth Glory, the Reds are on track to match that capacity crowd which hasn’t been surpassed.
Tickets went on sale to club members from Sydney and Adelaide on Tuesday morning before they become available to Football Family members on Thursday and the general public on October 16.
“We sold out last time (2014) within an hour of tickets going on sale and I’d be very surprised if it’s not sold out in the next couple of days,’’ Kosmina said.
Kosmina says Adelaide is also happy the final will be played on Tuesday, October 30 after Sydney FC officials called for the clash to be played this weekend just before the Reds host the Sky Blues in the opening match of the 14th A-League season on October 19.
Football Federation Australia wants to also keep the integrity of this weekend’s FIFA international break which has been introduced to this A-League season for the first time according to reports.
“FFA’s concern was the FIFA international window which has been put in place this season,’’ Kosmina said.
“That’s a new initiative and on our first FIFA date to have a potentially conflicting match with potential Socceroos involved and in this instance for us and for Sydney FC there aren’t any.
“But for Western Sydney (FFA Cup semi final 3-0 loser to Sydney FC) they had Socceroo Josh Risdon.
“And for us there was concern playing Sydney FC in a cup final at home and then playing them six days later in round one of the A-League.
“But I don’t think it got to a stage where a decision had to be made for this weekend, it was just an idea put forward by Sydney FC.”
The FFA Cup winner will take home $67,000 — close to the cost of the Reds hiring Hindmarsh last season — and the runner-up will receive $42,000.
FFA will pay for the costs of hosting the final, including stadium hire.
Adelaide will wind up preseason with a clash behind closed doors against Melbourne Victory at Hindmarsh on Friday.