Adelaide City took the final SA spot in the FFA Cup Round of 32 with a 2-0 win over MetroStars at VALO Football Centre on Wednesday night.
Two second half goals from Nic Bucco and half-time substitute Jo Costa secured a somewhat comfortable victory for the Black and Whites.
The current RAA NPLSA league leaders were hungry from the start as they pressed the MetroStars defence with pace and numbers.
The first chance came to City with a Halliday header crashing off the crossbar from a free-kick. The ball found its way into the back of the net from the rebound, however it was ruled out for offside.
MetroStars showed promise as the first half continued, with the fast-paced forward duo of Mori and Piol causing problems for the City defence.
However, it was the Black and Whites with the best chance of the first half. Bucco charged through the middle of the park with venom, and after a quick one-two lashed the ball towards goal, his strike narrowly missed the top right corner.
A well contested first half saw limited chance for both-sides, however it was evident that both defences were prepared to put bodies on the line to ensure they don’t go into the break a goal down.
In a game changing moment, an Adelaide City half-time substitution saw Joseph Costa replace Thomas Brown at the break. A tactical move by City coach Pezos to inject new life into their attacking third.
Despite the bright start from City though, a golden chance fell for MetroStars in the 49th minute. Josh Mori’s drilled cross found Esposito who drilled the ball into the floor, floating over the bar. The striker felt he should have done better.
Ten minutes into the second half and City finally made the breakthrough they were looking for. Asad Kasumovic picked up the ball at the edge of the box, playing a well weighted through ball to an overlapping Bucco. The City talisman took a touch and lashed the ball beautifully into the top corner, giving City the 1-0 lead.
Joseph Costa’s introduction at half-time paid off for the City coaching staff as a well worked teamplay in the 64th minute saw Costa’s long range effort roll into the bottom corner of the MetroStars net to give City a 2-0 lead.
Irabona should have put the icing on the cake for City late on, however his point blank range effort was blazed over the bar after an Ayoubi cutback.
In a second half dominated by a strong Adelaide City, saw the current league leaders come out as victors and book their place into the FFA Cup Round of 32 and, in turn, a place in the Federation Cup Final against Adelaide Olympic on Wednesday July 14, which sees a repeat of the 2019 Cup Final.
The City celebrations included a t-shirt which read "Alajj Zeppy," - a tribute to club legend Joe Camilleri. No doubt, this win was for him.