Adelaide Olympic is the first side to secure one of two SA spots in the FFA Cup Round of 32 with a 1-0 win over 2020 League Champions Campbelltown City at a wet VALO Football Centre.
Michael Cittadini’s early second-half strike was enough to secure the win, while the scoreline somewhat flatters Campbelltown City who just could not get going tonight against a fierce Olympic side.
The 2019 Federation Cup holders were up and about from Daniel Cook’s first whistle, with high pressing and not allowing the Red Devils to settle on the ball. Olympic were faster and hungrier on the night and were rewarded for their efforts.
Despite the conditions, the game was played at fast pace, with the ball fizzing off an already quick synthetic surface at Angle Park.
The league champions struggled to get going, and their start was made harder with a forced changed which saw skipper Shaun Harvey substituted off after just 12 minutes for the young Adam De Ieso.
Despite the fast start from Olympic though, it was Campbelltown City who produced the first chances, with Piscioneri and Alex Mullen both swiveling and placing the ball past the young Josh Kavenagh’s right hand upright.
Olympic’s best chance of the half to that point came after 21 minutes. Kristin Konstandopoulos attacked the touchline, floating the ball into the back post, finding Poundendis who headed the ball calmy down for captain Erba, who thought he scored but somehow was clawed away by Harpas. An incredible save.
Campbelltown under siege towards the end of the half with Olympics tails wagging.
Jason Konstandopoulos saw his firm strike from 30 yards palmed over by Harpas on the half-hour mark, which was followed up by Marino dancing past two defenders and hammering the ball into the side netting.
On 35 minutes, Olympic were awarded a penalty after Ioni hauled down Konstandopoulos just inside the box. A calm and composed Cristos Pounendis stepped up, but was denied by Harpas who dived to his right.
That seemed to breathe new life into the game and saw Campbelltown City finish the half the brighter.
Just before the break, Di Troia drilled the ball from one side of the field to find Marino on the other, who drilled the ball low and hard but just past the far post.
Campbelltown City started the brighter in the second half. Josh Kavenagh, who tipped an Alex Mullen shot around the post brilliantly.
Ten minutes into the second half and Olympic finally made the breakthrough. Michael Cittidini picked the ball up from just inside the Campbelltown City half. The winger glided into the box, and his shot found its way through the fingers of Nicholas Harpas, sending the holders into raptures, leaving the penalty hero red-faced.
Minutes later, Jason Konstandopoulos had the chance to double his sides lead but his first-time shot was blazed from the edge of the box.
Campbelltown City struggled to create any golden chances, but nearly found the breakthrough late on. Marco Marino picked up a Ditroia cross-field ball, beat a defender and blasted the ball across the box which saw Wilson inches away scoring into his own net, but was scrambled away.
In a tight second half of few chances for either side, it was Olympic who held on to march into the FFA Round of 32 and, in turn, a place in the Federation Cup Final next month.
They play the winner of Adelaide City and MetroStars, who face off on Wednesday night at VALO Football Centre at 7.30 pm.