FFA Cup final: Adelaide Utd short on strikers to take on Sydney FC

It’s a situation that would usually have a coach tearing out his hair in frustration.

Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz and captain Isaias with the FFA Cup at Coopers Stadium. Picture: Sarah Reed

It’s a situation that would usually have a coach tearing out his hair in frustration, but Adelaide United’s Marco Kurz prefers to retain a sense of humour ahead of ­tonight’s FFA Cup final against Sydney FC at Coopers Stadium.

Injuries to strikers George Blackwood (shoulder) and Baba Diawara (knee) have left Adelaide’s attacking cupboard a little bare, meaning the Reds will go into the game without a recognised striker as they attempt to go one better than last year’s final when they fell 2-1 in extra time to the Sky Blues.

But if Kurz was fazed, he wasn’t about to show it.

Asked who will score the goals tonight, the German replied quick as a flash: “(Michael) Jakobsen, (Jordan) Elsey and (Michael) Marrone.”

The only problem is that those three players are defenders.

But Kurz got his point across, saying it will be a team effort to come up with the goals and it won’t matter who scores them.

“You know, defenders are allowed to score goals ... everyone can score, not just offensive players,” he said matter-of-factly.

“There are set pieces (free kicks and corners), so defensive players can go up and score.”

While he hasn’t ruled Diawara out completely, Kurz holds little hope of the striker playing tonight.

On the other hand, Blackwood will be sidelined for an extended period and is expected to undergo surgery today on his shoulder.

United were due to train last night — with question marks also over the fitness of Ryan Kitto, Mirko Boland and Nikola ­Mileusnic.

Interestingly, Kurz did not put the focus on the one attacker who can make a real difference — wide player Craig Goodwin, who has made a terrific start to the A-League season since returning from a stint in the Netherlands.

Goodwin looked the goods against Sydney FC in the opening round of the season then scored a quality goal in the 1-1 draw with the Newcastle Jets last Friday.

Quick and skilful, the 26-year-old could prove a handful again ­tonight with his probing runs down the flanks, ability to cross an almost perfect ball and the way he switches from outside to a more central position on the field.

Meanwhile, Kurz dismissed suggestions United will go into the match with an advantage, given they are coming off a four-day break between games while Sydney will have had the benefit of just three days off.

Sydney have also had to travel to Adelaide twice in 12 days, while United have not played away from home in the opening two rounds of the season.

“It (the schedule) should not be a problem for them, they should be fit enough to play two games in a row” he said. “We did the same last year and we were ready.”

What does concern him about the defending champions is their ability to take the chances when they come their way.

“We know that maybe they need just one chance to score ­because they have a lot of key players in those areas,” he said.

“(Adam) Le Fondre is a beautiful striker and (Milos) Ninkovic is a perfect player.”

The Sky Blues have their own fitness issues with Dutchman Siem de Jong sidelined for several weeks after injuring his hamstring when he came on as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Western Sydney on Saturday night.

With Trent Buhagiar out for the season, it means their attacking options are also limited.

Coach Steve Corica is expected to go with the same side that beat the Wanderers.

Thankfully, there will be no VAR in operation tonight. FFA Cup rules don’t allow for it.