The inaugural Westfield FFA Cup semi-finalists have been decided after Bentleigh Greens and Perth Glory both prevailed in Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Final extra time epics last night.
Bentleigh Greens became the only non Hyundai A-League club left in the competition as they came from a goal down to defeat fellow PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues outfit Adelaide City 2-1, while Perth Glory outlasted a nine-man Melbourne Victory 4-2.
The results of last night’s matches mean four different States will be represented in the Semi Finals with the Central Coast Mariners (NSW), Adelaide United (SA), Bentleigh Greens (VIC) and Perth Glory (WA) the clubs still in contention.
Adelaide City appeared in the box seat to progress after Alex Rideout had given the South Australians a 48th minute lead at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex but an unstoppable header from Bentleigh captain Wayne Wallace in the 88th minute sent the match into extra time.
Both teams had their chances during the extra time period, the defining moment coming in the 104th minute when Jamie De Abreu, who had been a constant threat throughout, made the most of his opportunity, slotting his shot past Ryan Veitch to put the home side in front, a lead they would hold onto despite some nervous moments at the death.
Perth Glory also needed extra time to book their spot in the last four in a pulsating encounter at nib Stadium that saw a penalty, six goals and two red cards.
Melbourne Victory were dealt a blow before kick-off with Archie Thompson a late withdrawal but Fahid Ben Khalfallah gave the visitors the dream start with a cracking strike inside the opening 10 minutes.
Perth Glory were quick to hit back courtesy of an Andy Keogh penalty in a frenetic opening half, which ended with Melbourne Victory suffering another setback as marquee striker Besart Berisha was forced from the field with a groin injury.
Keogh’s second goal of the night, his fifth of the competition, with less than ten minutes remaining had the home side on their way to the Westfield FFA Cup Semi Finals until substitute Gui Finkler’s stunning free kick in stoppage time meant a third Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Final would go to extra time.
Melbourne Victory’s cause was not helped when central defender Matthieu Delpierre became the next player to succumb to injury late in regulation time, and when fellow defender Daniel Georgievski received his second yellow card, Perth Glory took full advantage of their numerical advantage as 17 year old Daniel De Silva and Nebosja Marinkovic both found the back of the net to send the Western Australians through.
With the last four clubs confirmed, the draw to determine the Westfield FFA Cup Semi Final match ups will be conducted at 7.00pm (AEDT) tomorrow (Friday 31 October 2014) LIVE on FOX SPORTS 1 and 1HD as part of the broadcaster’s Kick-Off program in the lead up to the Hyundai A-League encounter between Melbourne City and Adelaide United.
Former Socceroos captain and Hyundai A-League Premiership winning coach John Kosmina and Hyundai A-League championship winning captain and current Sydney 58 FC Coach Mark Rudan will conduct the draw.
Westfield FFA Cup – Semi Final Draw
Friday 31 October 2014
Approximately 7.00pm AEDT during Kick-Off on FOX SPORTS 1 & 1HD
Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Finals – Week 3 Review
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Bentleigh Greens 2 (Wallace 88’, De Abreu 104’)
Adelaide City 1 (Rideout 48’)
Crowd: 1,992 @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Cheltenham
Referee: Lucien Laverdure
Bentleigh Greens starting line-up: 21.Alistair BRAY (GK), 2.Thomas MATTHEWS, 3.James CUMMING, 5.Jack WEBSTER, 7.Jamie DE ABREU, 8.Wayne WALLACE (c), 9.Luke O’DEA (16.Nick TEICHMAN 72’), 12.Luke GALLO, 15.Christian CAVALLO, 19.Liam McCORMICK (4.Patrick AVICE 78’), 24.Luke PILKINGTON
Substitutes not used: 1.Christopher VAN CORLER (GK), 13.Ryan LOSTY, 22.Lewis FOSTER
Yellow cards: De Abreu 28’, Gallo 67’, Webster 74’, Cavallo 90+4’
Red cards: Nil
Adelaide City starting line-up: 1.Ryan VEITCH (GK), 4.Shane TOBIAS (2.Michael ACTON 90+1’), 5.Matthew HALLIDAY (c), 6.Matthew MULLEN, 7.Joel ALLWRIGHT, 8.Paul BLEFARI, 9.Anthony COSTA, 12.Alex RIDEOUT (3.Alex SUNASKY 68’), 15.Shannon DAY, 16.Thomas LOVE, 23.Nicholas BUDIN (11.Nicholas BUCCO 60’)
Substitutes not used: 14.Josh MORI, 21.Jackson O’DONNELL (GK)
Yellow cards: Rideout 47’, Bucco 65’
Red cards: Nil
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Perth Glory 4 (Keogh 15’ (pen)/82’, De Silva 103’, Marinkovic 111’)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Ben Khalfallah 8’, Finkler 90+2’)
Crowd: 3,899 @ nib Stadium, Perth
Referee: Alan Milliner
Perth Glory starting line-up: 1.Daniel VUKOVIC (GK), 5.Rostyn GRIFFITHS (13.Diogo FERREIRA 76’), 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Youssouf HERSI (10.Nebosja MARINKOVIC 90+2’), 9.Andy KEOGH, 11.Richard GARCIA (20.Daniel DE SILVA 80’), 15.Jamie MACLAREN, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 19 Josh RISDON, 21.Scott JAMIESON, 23.Michael THWAITE (c)
Substitutes not used: 2.Jack CLISBY, 18.Jack DUNCAN (GK)
Yellow cards: Nichols 29’, Hersi 32’, Griffiths 35’, Ferreira 110’
Red cards: Nil
Melbourne Victory starting line-up: 1.Nathan COE (GK), 5.Mark MILLIGAN (c), 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Besart BERISHA (13.Andrew NABBOUT 44’), 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 15.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 17.Matthieu DELPIERRE (16.Rashid MAHAZI 88’), 18.Dylan MURNANE, 22.Jesse MAKAROUNAS (7.Guilherme FINKLER 64’), 23.Adrian LEIJER
Substitutes not used: 20.Lawrence THOMAS (GK)
Yellow cards: Leijer 11’/111’, Georgievski 25’/99’
Red cards: Georgievski 99’, Leijer 111’
