Melbourne Victory booked a place in the FFA Cup Semi Finals after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Adelaide United on Wednesday.
Summary
Victory fell behind at Coopers Stadium following a first-half free-kick from Craig Goodwin.
But Tony Popovic’s side fought back, Josh Brillante equalising before Francesco Margiotta tucked away a 79th-minute penalty to send Victory through.
Adelaide created the first good chance, Joe Caletti firing wide of Ivan Kelava’s right post after a pass from Goodwin.
But Victory also had opportunities to go ahead in the opening 20 minutes.
Ben Folami curled an effort narrowly wide after cutting inside following a Jake Brimmer pass in the 12th minute.
Just four minutes later and Brimmer’s set-piece found Jason Geria at the back post, but the right-back headed across the face of goal and wide.
An entertaining start saw a save needed from Kelava midway through the first half, the Victory goalkeeper punching away a Goodwin strike.
Victory needed a miraculous last-ditch block from Geria to deny Caletti the opener on the half-hour mark.
However, Goodwin opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, his 25-yard free-kick proving too much for Kelava to keep out.
Victory continued to create chances and Brendan Hamill tested Adelaide goalkeeper Steven Hall with a strike on the turn approaching half-time.
A strong start to the second half led to Victory’s equaliser after the hour-mark.
Brimmer put in another teasing set-piece and Brillante scored at the back post to make it 1-1.
Victory would find the match-winner with 11 minutes remaining.
Brimmer teed up a strike for Margiotta and the effort struck the hand of Jacob Tratt, leading to a spot-kick.
The Italian stepped up to convert, sending Victory into the Semi Finals.
Key moment
Player in focus
Brimmer was again a standout for Victory. The midfielder’s dangerous set-pieces caused plenty of problems, setting up Brillante’s equaliser, while he was also involved in the play that led to the penalty.
Implications
Victory moved into the Semi Finals, joining the Central Coast Mariners in the last four. The other two spots are still up for grabs.
Result
FFA Cup 2021/22 Quarter Final
Adelaide United 1 (Craig Goodwin 33′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Josh Brillante 62′, Francesco Margiotta 79′ pen)
Adelaide United: Hall (gk); Lopez, Tratt, Timotheou, Kitto; Juande, Cavallo; D’Arrigo, Goodwin, Caletti (Blackwood 70′); Mauk (c) (Oliveira 64′).
Melbourne Victory: Kelava (gk); Geria, Hamill, Roderick, Nigro (Broxham 87′); Brillante (c), Marchan; Brooks (Velupillay 60′), Brimmer, Folami (Kruse 71′); D’Agostino (Margiotta 60′).
Yellow cards: Roderick 36′, Tratt 47′, Mauk 60′, Velupillay 67′, Geria 75′, Kruse 89′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBA
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Next up
Victory and the Reds meet again on Saturday, in the Isuzu UTE A-League at AAMI Park.
