Adelaide United has advanced to the Quarter Finals of the FFA Cup 2021 following a 1-0 win against Adelaide Olympic at VALO Football Centre on Sunday.
The inaugural meeting between two South Australian sides in the cup promised to be an intriguing battle and it certainly delivered.
Jacob Tratt’s 16th minute goal – his first for the Club – was the deciding factor between the two sides, although the Reds had chances to put the game to bed.
Ben Halloran squandered a second-half penalty which would have made the final 30 minutes certainly more comfortable.
However, ultimately United was the team in control for the majority of the contest even if they struggled to adapt to the artificial surface at times with a plucky Olympic always remaining a threat.
But Carl Veart’s men did enough as Adelaide extended its FFA Cup record winning streak to 12 matches and progressed to the last eight of the competition for the sixth time.
Team news
Kusini Yengi was the only change made to the starting line-up from the Round of 32 victory by Head Coach Carl Veart. Mohamed Toure made way for the 22-year-old striker, while Nick Ansell, Joe Caletti and Juande returned via the bench.
The match
Adelaide had the ascendancy early on, beginning on the front foot. Bernardo was lively in possession and his silky skills meant he was a constant warning for the Olympic defence.
The winger cut inside and fired a tame shot after a brilliant run from Yengi and pass from D’Arrigo inside five minutes.
Adelaide made the breakthrough via a corner following a break in play after Paul Wilson copped an accidental head knock.
Bernardo’s in-swinging corner evaded goalkeeper Lewis Moss and landed to Tratt who tapped in from close range.
Adelaide had a couple more opportunities before the interval, but were unable to add to their advantage.
Olympic had a good chance to start the second stanza when Kristin Konstandopoulos forced James Delianov into swatting his shot away.
Bernardo was again involved in the action, this time fouled in the box by Christos Pounendis.
The referee had no hesitation and pointed to the spot on 57 minutes. Halloran stepped up but his attempt was saved by a diving Moss.
The miss did not prove costly as the Reds managed to negotiate the final 30 minutes, despite Olympic maintaining the pressure.
The hosts almost equalised late on, though Fausto Erba’s shot deflected wide of the target.
Key moments
16’ | GOAL! Bernardo’s in-swinging corner goes past the goalkeeper and Tratt is there to tap home.
32’ | CHANCE! Kitto’s cross to the back post clips the crossbar.
49’ | SAVE! Delianov is forced into a good save, swiping away Konstandopoulos’ attempt.
58’ | SAVE: Moss denies Halloran from the penalty spot after diving to his right.
71’ | CHANCE! Halloran’s header is straight at Moss as he cannot generate enough power off Kitto’s cross.
Match details:
Sunday, 17 October 2021
FFA Cup 2021 Round of 16
Adelaide Olympic 0
Adelaide United 1 (Tratt 16’)
Venue: VALO Football Centre
Attendance: 2,637
