Sunday amateur side Elizabeth Downs faces NPL giant Adelaide City in FFA Cup SA semi-final
Sunday amateur league giant-killer Elizabeth Downs will face the might of three-time national champion Adelaide City as it bids to extend its history-making FFA Cup SA run to the final.
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Sunday amateur side Elizabeth Downs will face the might of three-time national champion Adelaide City as it bids to extend its history-making FFA Cup SA run to the final.
The northern suburbs giant-killer was paired with the National Premier Leagues SA powerhouse during Friday’s semi-final draw at Hindmarsh Stadium.
It came three days after Downs pulled off one of the biggest upsets on record, when it beat top flight MetroStars to become the first amateur outfit to make the last four of the cup.
The winner of the clash, to be played on Tuesday, June 4, at the Parks, would face the victor of the Adelaide Comets and Adelaide Olympic semi-final in the knockout decider.
Downs forward Jimmy Odenwalder said his teammates would relish the opportunity to test themselves against 17-time SA cup-winner City.
“It’ll be a big test, but we’re looking forward to it,” Odenwalder, 19, said.
“It’ll be a tough game (because) they (City) have got some good players.
“But I’m sure as many people as possible will make it out and make it a real fortress like they do at home.”
Downs fought back from a 2-0 first-half deficit to draw 3-3 with MetroStars at Argana Park, before prevailing on penalties in front of partisan home crowd.
Odenwalder said the drama-filled success, during which veteran goalkeeper Ben Aldridge emerged as a hero, was the highlight of his young football career.
“It was unbelievable,” said Odenwalder, who joined Downs from NPL club Raiders over summer.
“It was probably the best footballing experience I’ve ever had.
“Playing in front of that crowd with that support really helped us.
“It’s special. All the players, all the coaches and all the fans they really know it and they appreciate it.”
Downs would face a City team playing three divisions above it and boasting the likes of former Adelaide United star Marcos Flores.
But the Oakden club had struggled for consistency under first-year coach Michael Matricciani and sat second-bottom in the league, despite seeing off Croydon Kings to progress in the cup.
Meanwhile, holder Comets would look to defend its crown when it faced Olympic in an all NPL encounter, at the Parks, on Wednesday, June 5.
Kon Antoniou’s men also needed spot kicks to dispose of Raiders this week in a rollercoaster quarter-final which finished 3-3 after extra-time.
Olympic edged out second-tier Adelaide Victory 2-0 to remain in the hunt for its maiden knockout silverware.
The winner of the SA final on June 22 will join A-League club Adelaide United and NPL champion Campbelltown City as the state’s entrants in the national FFA Cup round-of-32.
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