Since 2003, TheCup.us has given full coverage to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. As we wrap up the 101st edition of our domestic cup competition, Australia is holding its first with the FFA Cup. We thought it would be interesting to follow a brand new national cup competition to see how it plays out and see how well the tournament catches on in its inaugural season.
The first ever FFA Cup final took place on Tuesday night in Adelaide and it was the home side, Adelaide United who lifted the inaugural trophy as they managed a 1-0 win over Perth Glory.
Perth Glory are a club on fire lately, sitting top of the A-League, and appearing in this match, alongside their W-League team winning the premiership and hosting the Grand Final next week and the National Youth League side also hitting top of the table but this match seemed to be just one too far.
With home field advantage, Adelaide needed to go at Perth from the opening whistle and they did just that in the opening 10 minutes.
Awer Mabil was key to Adelaide’s play in the opening stages and in the 16th minute he tried to provide an opportunity but his teammate, Bruce Djite, wasn’t quite as ready as he couldn’t control the pass, allowing Perth to clear.
Richie Garcia, who had something of an offseason stint with the NASL’s Minnesota United, tried to win a penalty in the 24th minute as he collided with Eugene Galekovic after a solid run but the referee was not interested in the appeals from Garcia.
Adelaide pushed for a goal in the final 20 minutes of the half and nearly scored in the final minute. Djite sent a cross to a wide open Mabil, but he launched the ball over the bar keeping it scoreless at the break.
Nine minutes into the second half, it was another frustrating moment for Adelaide. Sergio Cirio played Mabil through but just like before, he sent the ball over the goal. That would be the last action Mabil would be involved in as he was subbed off in the 59th minute with Adelaide’s coaching staff finally losing patience with the youngster.
Perth’s chances took a big hit in the 58th minute as Josh Risdon was sent off. It didn’t come from a reckless challenge, but rather a simple shirt pull, which produced his second yellow card, leaving his team shorthanded for the rest of the Final.
Not long after gaining the man advantage, Adelaide United had their goal. United’s Marcelo Carrusca sent in a perfect ball for Cirio who was able to squeeze the ball between Danny Vukovic and the post to get the vital goal.
Now with a lead, Adelaide just passed the ball around to maintain possession while Perth brought on Jamie MacLaren in an effort to go for the match.
Perth went all-out in the final 10 minutes of the match but they were unable to break down a stern Adelaide defense allowing Adelaide United to get the victory and lift the very first FFA Cup.
HIGHLIGHTS: 2014 FFA CUP FINAL
Adelaide United 1:0 Perth Glory
ADL: Sergio Cirio – 40th min.
Chris Hockman, who was born in Australia, is a freelance writer who also covers the sport for SanAntonioSoccerNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrishsport
2014 FFA CUP SCHEDULE/RESULTS
FINAL
Perth Glory (HAL) 0:1 Adelaide City (SAPL)
SEMIFINALS – RECAP [+]
Adelaide United (HAL) 3:2 Central Coast Mariners (HAL)
Bentleigh Greens (VICPL) 0:3 Perth Glory (HAL)
QUARTERFINALS RECAP [+]
Palm Beach Sharks (QLDPL) 0:5 Central Coast Mariners (HAL) – RECAP [+]
Sydney FC (HAL) 1:3 (AET) Adelaide United (HAL) – Oct. 21
Perth Glory (HAL) 4:2 (AET) Melbourne Victory (HAL) – Oct. 29
Bentleigh Greens (VICPL) 2:1 (AET) Adelaide City (SAPL)- Oct. 29
ROUND OF 16 – RECAP [+]
Adelaide City (SAPL) 1:0 Brisbane Strikers (QLDPL)
Olympic FC (QLDPL) 1:3 Central Coast Mariners (HAL)
Sydney Olympic (NSWPL) 1:2 Bentleigh Greens (VICPL)
Tuggeranong United (ACTPL) 0:6 Melbourne Victory (HAL)
Adelaide United (HAL) 2:0 Brisbane Roar (HAL)
Palm Beach Sharks (QLDPL) 1:0 South Springvale (VICD1)
St Albans Saints (VICPL1) 1:4 Perth Glory (HAL)
Sydney United 58 (NSWPL) 1:3 Sydney FC (HAL)
FIRST ROUND
July 29 – RECAP [+]
Brisbane Strikers (QLDPL) 2:1 Broadmeadow Magic (NNSWPL)
Sydney Olympic (NSWPL) 3:1 Manly United (NSWPL)
Melbourne Knights (VICPL) 1:3 Olympic FC (QLDPL)
South Cardiff (NNSWPL) 2:2 (4:3 PKs) South Springvale (VICD1)
August 5 – RECAP [+]
Perth Glory (HAL) 2:0 Newcastle Jets (HAL)
St Albans Saints (VICPL1) 1:0 Parramatta FC (NSWPL2)
Tuggeranong United (ACTPL) 1:1 (5:4 PKs) South Hobart (TL)
Wellington Phoenix (HAL) 0:1 Adelaide United (HAL)
August 12
Bentleigh Greens (VICPL) 1:0 Blacktown City (NSWPL)
Sydney FC (HAL) 3:1 Melbourne City FC (HAL)
Far North Queensland (QLDPL) 1:4 Sydney United 58 (NSWPL)
Western Sydney Wanderers (HAL) 0:1 Adelaide City (SAPL)
August 19
Palm Beach (QLDPL) 2:1 Hakoah Sydney City East (NSWSL1)
Brisbane Roar (HAL) 4:0 Stirling Lions (WAPL)
August 20
Central Coast Mariners (HAL) 1:0 South Coast Wolves (NSWPL)
Bayswater City (WAPL) 0:2 Melbourne Victory (HAL)
PARTICIPATING LEAGUES
Division 1
HAL – Hyundai A-League
Division 2
QLDPL – Queensland Premier League
NNSWPL – Northern New South Wales Premier League
NSWPL – New South Wales Premier League
NSWPL2 – New South Wales Premier League Division Two
ACTPL – Australian Capital Territory Premier League
TL – T-League
SAPL – South Australia Premier League
WAPL – Western Australia Premier League
Division 3
VICPL1 – Victorian Premier League Division One
Division 4
VICD1 – Victorian State League Division One
NSWSL1 – New South Wales State League Division 1