Melbourne City’s Connor Metcalfe says FFA Cup final win can give their A-League title hopes a boost
Melbourne City midfielder Connor Metcalfe believes his club is on the verge of a sustained period of success and all of that can begin with the right result in FFA Cup final against Adelaide United.
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Every day for the past three years, Connor Metcalfe has taken a moment to pause and “take in” Melbourne City’s only piece of senior men’s silverware.
Metcalfe was 16 when City won the 2016 FFA Cup, 1-0 against Sydney FC thanks to a Tim Cahill header, and was among the 18,751 fans at AAMI Park in what remains the club’s high watermark.
On Wednesday night Metcalfe will not only be on the pitch, but looms as a key player in coach Erick Mombaerts’ team in the FFA Cup final against Adelaide United.
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Goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis is the only player who featured in 2016, but Metcalfe said this new City generation had the chance to write a key chapter in the club’s brief history.
“I remember the 2016 FFA Cup and it was a completely different squad, but it’s not about that,’’ the midfielder said.
“It’s about walking into training every day and seeing that trophy.
“And you think let’s add our crest to that trophy one more time and bring it home. It’s a new squad, it would be brilliant to win for our confidence.
“If we win that, then all our focus moves on … won it, done it, brilliant for the fans, then move on and focus on winning the A-League.
“It would be a real ego booster. We’re going really well. Let’s keep this winning streak going. If we keep that mentality and keep winning, I can see a big future.”
City may have gained a slight mental edge with Sunday’s 2-1 win against Adelaide United, although that may be offset by United’s home-ground advantage on Wednesday.
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“We came to get the points. We rested a few players,’’ Metcalfe said.
“The main focus is Wednesday. We want to bring home that trophy. The boys are happy. We’ve had a great start to the season.”
Metcalfe continued his impressive start to the season with an energetic midfield display, with his urgency playing a key role in the opening goal with his blocked shot falling to Jamie Maclaren.
And he showed his selfless side, pulling ups the hand break in the second half when he was in a golden position to shoot to enable Maclaren to fire at goal in a bid to complete his hat-trick — but United keeper Paul Izzo was up to the task.
“The coach told me to be more positive and shoot from outside the box. I tried, it was a bit of a fluke, but it ended up as a goal,” Metcalfe said.