FFA Cup final: Adelaide’s Sergio Cirio wins Mark Viduka Medal after goal-scoring turn
SERGIO Cirio’s match-winning goal sealed Adelaide United’s first silverware and won the Spaniard the Mark Viduka Medal in the FFA Cup final.
SERGIO Cirio’s match-winning goal – his sixth of the competition – sealed Adelaide United’s first silverware and won the Spaniard the Mark Viduka Medal for best on field in Tuesday night’s FFA Cup final.
The winger’s 67th minute strike proved the decisive moment of a tense match, when he was fed a delightful through ball by Marcelo Carrusca and rounded the advancing Danny Vukovic before slotting home from a tight angle.
Cirio said it was the most important goal of his career.
“It’s important because I score... but this award is for the whole team, everybody had a good game,” he said.
“I’m very happy because we got it in front of our supporters.”
The 29-year-old fan favourite was a popular choice for the inaugural award.
Cirio was one of coach Josep Gombau’s first signings when he took over in 2013, and is synonymous with Adelaide’s intricate passing play that makes them easy on the eye.
He threatened as early as the fourth minute when a strong run down the left ended with a dangerous square ball which Awer Mabil somehow managed to miss at the back post.
He was a threat throughout with his close control and mazy runs causing the Glory defence headaches all night.
Carrusca’s influence on the clash was also crucial and game grew as the match progressed.
Well marshalled early on by Glory holding midfielder Rostyn Griffiths, the playmaker was forced to come deep to collect the ball due to a lack of service.
But he helped exploit the Reds’ man advantage after the 58th minute dismissal of Josh Risdon and his set piece delivery was a constant danger.
He showed all his class just after half-time when a superb first touch and back heel near the touchline set up Awer Mabil for a cross that was easily gathered by Vukovic.
Best of all was his pinpoint pass for Cirio which unlocked the Glory defence and sealed the victory.
Nigel Boogaard was another who impressed after returning from the glute injury that forced him out of Friday’s loss to Brisbane.
The centre back marshalled his colleagues superbly and was a dominant force in the air, marking Glory hitman Andy Keogh out of the contest.
Tarek Elrich was his usual industrious self on the left, making several lung busting runs from deep and tirelessly tracking back to defend when needed.
The fullback made a superb last ditch tackle on Glory young gun Danny DeSilva midway through the first half when Perth caught United on a swift counter attack.
He also fed Cirio with a good through ball in the 65th minute but the winger could only fire straight at Vukovic.
Young Socceroo Awer Mabil worked hard down the left but lacked the final ball to finish off his good work.
The flying winger was replaced by Fabio Ferreira in the 59th minute, with the Portuguese wide man giving United a lift late on.