Adelaide City and MetroStars will do battle on Wednesday night at VALO Football Centre, with one spot in the FFA Cup Round of 32 up for grabs, and of course, a place in the state Federation Cup Final. We take a look at the journey that both sides have had in this competition and speak to captains and coaches ahead of what will be a thrilling encounter at Angle Park.
Adelaide City lay claim to the most famous FFA cup win in the state’s history. In 2014 they sent Marden Sports Complex into hysterics and took down A-league juggernauts and eventual Asian Cup winners, Western Sydney Wanderers. Thomas Love’s 75th-minute wonder goal will forever be engrained in the memory of everyone who saw it. In the Cup’s inaugural year, City were the perfect representatives. They went onto beat Brisbane City and reach the quarters – a feat no South Australian team has achieved since.
From the past to the present, Adelaide City's captain, Matthew Halliday, is hungry for the Black and Whites to return to the national stage.
I think qualification is very important for the team. We set out goals at the start of the year and this being one of them, to qualify for the FFA cup and to win the federation cup. It also gives the boys a chance to showcase their skills on a National stage.
The build-up has been good. I think the boys are confident and know what the stakes are. The boys are raring to go.
On their opponents, MetroStars, Matty adds:
MetroStars are always a tough team to beat. They’ve been quite strong in the cup and obviously have got that experience. In saying that though, we’ve got plenty of experience as well that can match them. We just need to focus on ourselves and our game plan and I think we have what it takes to get the job done.
We’ve been taking every game one at a time. A win at any stage of the season is always a positive way to create momentum. So winning will only put us in a better position.
Metrostars are the state’s cup specialists with two Round of 32 qualifications – more than any other club. Bentleigh Greens, another nationally renowned cup specialist, just snuck over Metro in 2016 on penalties. In 2017, the Klemzig-based club were involved in a cupset, as they were stunned 2-1 by the Bankstown Berries in a game where they were the favourites. Conclusively, they have not yet been able to make their mark once under the national microscope – and will seek to rectify that, starting with a victory over Adelaide City.
MetroStars skipper Anthony Solagna says the squad are ready for the task at hand and are hungry for the win.
To win Wednesday night and qualify for the Grand Final and the FFA cup would be huge for the club. It would be good to get the club on the national stage again, especially after the difficult times all clubs have had the past 12-18 months with COVID
We have always been a team who tackle one game at a time. We got the result we wanted on the weekend, as of Sunday morning we have now switched our focus to Adelaide City. The boys are rearing to go and can’t wait for the challenge.
Anthony is wary though of their opponents but is confident they can get over the line on Wednesday night.
Adelaide City are always a tough opponent, we found that out a few weeks back. We have learnt from that game and can’t wait to have another crack at them. Both clubs have previous FFA cup experience and I’m sure both clubs are desperate to be back on that stage again.
Over the last few weeks, we have started playing a good brand of football, one that has seen us win games and keep clean sheets. If we bring the same mentality into Wednesday night, we will give ourselves the best chance to progress to the Federation Cup Final.
City’s road to qualification has seen them overcome Adelaide Hills, White City and finally Sturt Lions. They showed immense character to fight back against Hawks, and White City are a quality side coached by City legend Damien Mori, and Sturt are always a tough customer; these victories showcase a team that intend to go far in this competition.
Metrostars have had an eccentric and in some ways less challenging road when compared to City’s. Overcoming two state league teams in Playford and Birkalla, and then a 5-3 win over SAASL heavyweights Brahma Lodge.
MetroStars boss Robbie Saraceno is wanting to put on a performance for the people of the club.
We want to win everything we’re involved in, if we can get a result (tonight), it changes the mood of the team and qualification gives everyone a step in their stride. We’ve been there - it’s not so much about us as coaches or players - FFA cup is a reward for all the people behind the scenes.
With the experience these two sides have as well as the talent they possess, this promises to be a cracking game and a fitting showcase of our state’s best footballers.
FFA Cup Qualifying Final #2
Adelaide City v MetroStars
Wednesday, June 23, 7.30 pm
VALO Football Centre, Angle Park
Adelaide City line-up: 1. Alexander Woodlands (GK), 4. Matthew Halliday, 13. Lachlan Barr, 6. Bradley Corbo, 11. Charlie Devereux, Jai King, 14. Aladin Irabona, 10. Nicholas Bucco, 45. Markus Orchard, 5. Thomas Brown, 77. Asad Kasumovic, 9. Luka Chikwuba, Nicholas Robertson, Nicholas Harpas, 33. Darcy Dawber, Austin Ayoubi, Joseph Costa, Sebastian Scalzi.
Coaches: Paul Pezos, Stavros Gelekis, Angelo Paul, Edward Scalzi
Team Staff: Fabian Garuccio
MetroStars line-up: 18. Fabian Barbiero, 8. Rocky Callisto, 1. Isaac Carmody (GK), 4. Justin Davis, 23. Christian Esposito, 3. Luke Frangakis, 22. Hamish Gow, 5. Timothy Henderson, 68. Kalilou Kamara, Nick Toskas, 20. Joshua Mori, 45. Jackson O'Donnell, 2. Connor O'Rielly, 19. Cooper O'Donnell, 11. Ariath Piol, 16. Francesco Schimizzi, 14. Dylan Smith, 10. Anthony Solagna (C).
Coaches: Robert Saraceno, Nicholas Bouzalas, Adam Van Dommele, Michael Rende
Team Staff: Joseph Polisena, Patrick Pike, George Laoutaris