Road to the 2021 FFA Cup Final: Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory are in the FFA Cup Final for the second time in their history.
After starting their cup run in the play off round, Victory battled their way past three Isuzu Ute A-League Men's sides and two NPL outfits to reach Saturday's decider against the Mariners at AAMI Park.
Here's a look back at Victory's road to the 2021 FFA Cup Final.
Play off
Perth Glory 1-1 Melbourne Victory (3-4 on penalties)
After finishing last in the 2020/21 A-League season, Victory were forced to book their spot in the Round of 32 via a penalty shoot-out win over Perth Glory in the play off round which featured in the FFA Cup for the first time this season.
Lleyton Brooks put Victory ahead inside the first minute with an impressive strike from range before Glory equalised through Joshua Anasmo in the 26th minute.
Neither side were able to further add to the scoring throughout the rest of regular and extra time before Victory came up trumps in the shoot-out with Anthony Leban slotting home the winning penalty after two Jerrad Tyson saves.
Round of 32:
Adelaide City 0-1 Melbourne Victory
A 96th minute penalty saw Melbourne Victory scrape through in the Round of 32 against NPLSA Champions, Adelaide City at Marden Sports Complex in December.
Hosts Adelaide City dominated the majority of the match, finishing the contest with 16 shots to Victory’s three.
Victory goalkeeper, Jerrad Tyson pulled off a number of crucial saves, before City came to rue their chances in stoppage time with Anthony Leban securing progression for his side from the penalty spot for a second week in a row.
Round of 16:
Gold Coast Knights 1-2 Melbourne Victory
Victory advanced in the Round of 16 thanks to a gritty come-from-behind win over Gold Coast Knights at the Croatian Sports Centre in December.
After trailing 1-0 at half time following Cai Tipaldo’s header for the Knights, Victory fought back with an equaliser in the second half, before sealing the win in extra time.
Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio netted the equaliser, before William Wilson’s extra time stunner secured the comeback win for Tony Popovic’s side.
Quarter Final:
Adelaide United 1-2 Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory defeated 2014,2018 & 2019 FFA Cup winners, Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium in the Quarter Finals in January.
The Reds were on track for a 13th consecutive FFA Cup win, leading 1-0 at half-time courtesy of a Craig Goodwin free-kick.
However, Tony Popovic’s side turned things around in the second stanza, with Josh Brillante equalising before a Francesco Margiotta spot-kick sent Victory into the last four for the first time since 2016.
Semi Final:
Melbourne Victory 4-1 Wellington Phoenix
Victory booked a spot in the FFA Cup Final for the second time in their history with a 4-1 Semi Final win over Wellington at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
Despite trailing 1-0 at the break in Geelong, Victory put on a clinic in the second period, scoring four goals in the last 25 minutes to set up an FFA Cup final at AAMI Park against Central Coast Mariners.
Josh Brillante scored Victory’s first in the 65th minute before a Nick D’Agostino brace and Ben Folami strike rounded out the 4-1 win.
