FFA Cup final venue: Cooper’s Stadium favourite after Leichhardt Oval ruled out due to ground work

RESURFACING work on the pitch at Leichhardt Oval has stymied efforts to stage the FFA Cup final there — the game now likely to be played in Adelaide.

Adelaide United looks set to have home advantage for the 2017 FFA Cup final.

RESURFACING work on the pitch at Leichhardt Oval has stymied efforts to stage the FFA Cup final there — meaning the game looks increasingly likely to be played at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide.

Football Federation Australia held talks with Inner West Council about playing the game in Leichardt after Sydney FC and Adelaide United won through to the final.

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But annual repairs to the playing surface have already started, and FFA was advised the pitch could not be ready in time.

With Jubilee Oval at Kogarah believed to be booked out that night also, the only possible venues appear to be Allianz Stadium or Coopers Stadium, the teams’ respective A-League home grounds.

Adelaide United looks set to have home advantage for the 2017 FFA Cup final.

A spokesman for Inner West Council confirmed that FFA had looked at Leichhardt Oval as potential venue, adding: “Council has a good relationship with FFA as a regular hirer for national and club matches as well as training camps.

“Council would certainly relish the opportunity for Leichhardt Oval to play host to the FFA Cup Final but unfortunately the pitch cannot be prepared in time for a match of this high standard on November 21.

“Council refurbishes the ground surface every year and this work has already begun, with the winter grass already starting to die off.”

Given Coopers Stadium’s smaller capacity and significantly lower running costs, speculation is growing that United will get to host the final — which would mean Sydney travelling for the final for the second year in a row.

An FFA spokesman said it was still considering the options for the final.

Originally published as FFA Cup final venue: Cooper’s Stadium favourite after Leichhardt Oval ruled out due to ground work