Adelaide United kick off FFA Cup defence with extra-time win

Defending FFA Cup Winners, Adelaide United, got their 2021campaign off to a winning start with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Floreat Athena at E & D Litis Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds were made to work for their spot in the Round of 16 with extra-time goals from substitutes George Blackwood and Yaya Dukuly proving decisive in a match that went the distance after the scores were locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes.

United took the lead in the 18th minute when an unmarked Louis D’Arrigo latched onto Josh Cavallo’s cross and found the back of the net with his near-post header.

Floreat forced their way back into the match and were rewarded in the 56th minute when Christopher Saldaris smashed a left-footed strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the area to send the match into extra time.

Adelaide regained their lead two minutes after the beginning of extra time when Blackwood marked his return to the club with a goal, converting from the penalty spot after Ben Halloran was fouled inside the area.

Ten minutes later Adelaide found a third through Dukuly who turned his first-time strike into the back of the net at the back post after Mohamed Toure bundled his way past several Athena defenders inside the area.

Dukuly was one of a number of United youngsters to impress in Sunday’s match, with Bernado and Ethan Alagich - sons of former Adelaide United players Cassio and Richie Alagich respectively - making their first team debuts to become the first and second father-son duo’s to play for the Reds' senior team in the process.

Adelaide’s 3-1 win sees them join Brisbane Roar, Gold Coast Knights and Lions FC in the hat for the Round of 16 draw.

Round of 32 action continues on Wednesday night with ECU Joondalup hosting Adelaide Olympic at Dorrien Gardens. You can catch every second live & free via 10 play.

KEY MOMENTS

18’ | Goal Adelaide. Louis D’Arrigo ghosts into the box and nods Josh Cavallo’s cross into the bottom corner at the near post with a stooping header.

22’ | Chance Adelaide. Thomas Chudy makes a pair of flying saves in quick succession to twice deny Bernardo from doubling United’s lead.

47’ | Chance Floreat. Nicholas Ambrogio nearly capitalises on a defensive error, sending his effort into the side netting after James Delianov’s misplaced pass landed at his feet.

56’ | Goal Floreat. Christopher Saldaris beats Ryan Kitto before smashing a low left-footed strike into the bottom corner from outside the area.

59’ | Chance Adelaide. The Reds almost reinstate their lead as Mohamed Toure’s header comes crashing back off the crossbar after the Reds forward rose highest to meet Josh Cavallo’s cross.

92’ | Goal Adelaide. George Blackwood converts from the penalty spot, sending Thomas Chudy the wrong way after Ben Halloran was fouled inside the area.

100’ | Chance Floreat. Phil Arnold’s deflected strike from the edge of the area flies inches wide of the near post.

102’ | Goal Adelaide. Yaya Dukuly finishes at the back post after Mo Toure bundled his way past several Floreat defenders inside the area.

MATCH DETAILS
FFA Cup 2021 - Round of 32: Floreat Athena vs Adelaide United
E & D Litis Stadium, Leederville
Sunday, 26 September 2021

Floreat Athena – 1 (Christopher SALDARIS 56’)
Adelaide United – 3 (Louis D’ARRIGO 18’, George BLACKWOOD 92’, Yaya DUKULY 102’)

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This article was originally published on the Australia Cup website.
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