Adelaide United have advanced to the Round of 16 of the FFA Cup 2018 after a convincing 3-0 win over Central Coast Mariners at Marden Sports Complex on Wednesday night.
Jordan Elsey and Mirko Boland put the Reds in a commanding position before Craig Goodwin settled the contest after half-time with an exquisite free-kick.
The Reds went into their last 32 tie clearly the fitter of the two teams and it was made apparent for all fans to see as United totally bossed the game.
Marco Kurz named a strong line-up for the Reds’ first competitive hit-out. There were starting debuts handed to new signings Michael Jakobsen, Mirko Boland, Scott Galloway and Craig Goodwin, while Ken Ilsø began proceedings from the bench.
Here is that Mirko Boland overhead kick again! Little hard to see but you get the gist. 😍 #AUFC #FFACup #ADLvCCM
🎥 @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/8hkzXfJgry
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) August 1, 2018
Adelaide started by far the brighter of the two teams and immediately looked to assert their dominance on the clash.
The Reds looked much sharper than their opponents and their intensity and high-passing and pressing game paid dividends.
And the hosts did not have to wait long to open the scoring. Isaías’ set-piece was initially flicked on by Apostolos Stamatelopoulos but Elsey was alert at the back post to volley home.
The attacking onslaught continued as the Mariners struggled to defend the aerial ball and it proved their downfall again.
Goodwin swung in a deep cross from the right wing but Jake McGing’s header back across the face of goal fell to Boland who instinctively executed an overhead kick on 19 minutes. Mariners gloveman Adam Pearce managed to get a hand on the German midfielder’s close-range acrobatic strike, but his efforts were in vain.
Kurz’s side had more chances to increase their lead but it remained 2-0 at the break.
The second-half saw Adelaide again quickly get on the front foot and Goodwin capped off the win with a perfectly executed free-kick involving Isaías in the 53rd minute.
Here's the hit from Craig Goodwin that made it 3-0 to @AdelaideUnited! #FFACup #ADLvCCM
🎥: @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/SC0x1Q0cas
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 1, 2018
Stamatelopoulos had another great opportunity to get on the scoresheet but it went begging when he hit the upright with an outstretched volley from a cross.
Ryan Kitto caused a number of problems on the flank as the opposition defence could not keep up with his sheer pace and dynamism.
Adelaide rarely looked troubled and negotiated the last 20 minutes to record a dominant 3-0 victory in front of 3,107 supporters.
Moreover, the South Australians also remain unbeaten on home soil in the FFA Cup – winning all eight of their matches.
Key moments:
12’ | GOAL! Elsey meets Isaías’ incisive crossing free-kick at the back post to volley beyond Central Coast’s shot-stopper.
19’ | GOAL! Boland pulls off an excellent acrobatic attempt which the ‘keeper does get a hand on but cannot repel the shot.
30’ | Goodwin’s cross free-kick catches everyone off guard and ricochets off the upright.
53’ | GOAL! A free-kick on the edge of the box sees Goodwin touch the ball to Isaías who traps it and allows Goodwin to pick out the left corner.
83’ | Ilsø in his maiden Reds appearance is played through but drags his one-on-one effort on a tight angle wide of the far post.
Match details:
Wednesday, 1 August 2018
FFA Cup 2018 Round of 32
Adelaide United 3 (Elsey 12’ Boland 19’ Goodwin 53’)
Central Coast Mariners 0
Venue: Marden Sports Complex
Attendance: 3,107
