FFA Cup holders Adelaide United have seen
their reign ended as Melbourne Victory eased to a 3-1 win at AAMI Park, though
their win was soured by a potentially serious knee injury to club icon Archie
Thompson.
Adelaide rarely looked like ending their
four-year winless run in Melbourne, with the A-League champions easing to a 2-0
halftime advantage thanks to goals from Gui Finkler and Kosta Barbarouses.
The Reds were fortunate not to be reduced
to ten men early on as Osama Malik scythed down Fahid Ben Khalfallah on the
edge of the penalty area.
However, the Victory were immediately
rewarded as Finkler curled a textbook free-kick into the top corner of the
goal.
With Socceroos World Cup midfielder
Oliver Bozanic impressing on his debut, it was no surprise that the home side
extended their lead moments before the break as Barbarouses finished at the far
post with Ben Khalfallah providing the assist.
Protecting a proud record in cup
competitions, Adelaide fought back after the interval creating several half-chances
and briefly drew within a goal of their rivals as Marcelo Carrusca scored with
a penalty.
However, it took just four minutes for
the two-goal margin to be restored as Besart Berisha also netted from the
penalty spot.
Former Socceroo forward Thompson, who won
the penalty scored by Berisha, was felled by an awkward Michael Marrone
challenge during added time and now faces an anxious wait after being stretched
from the pitch clutching his knee.
Meanwhile, Hume City came from behind to
defeat Oakleigh Cannons 3-2 in extra time to continue their fairytale run at
home.
Midfielder Marcus Schroen poked home from
close range with just three minutes left on the clock, as Hume became only the
second semi-professional side to reach the semi-finals.
Former Melbourne Victory striker Theo
Markelis netted a brace for Hume, with the second coming just six minutes from
the end to force extra time.
Sean Rooney and Dean Piemonte twice put
Oakleigh ahead with the former scoring in just the third minute amid freezing
conditions in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
0 comments:
Post a Comment