How Adelaide United can win the Westfield FFA Cup Final

Adelaide United’s defeat to Newcastle Jets was their third Hyundai A-League loss in succession, but the weekend’s action wasn’t all bad news for the Reds.

Westfield FFA Cup Final opponents Sydney FC were also handed a surprise 2-0 defeat at the hands of an electric Central Coast Mariners.

And it was in Friday’s match that Marco Kurz’s men might have been given the keys to an upset of their own on November 21.

PACE PROBLEMS

Adelaide meet the Mariners on Thursday night, undoubtedly hoping to learn a couple of lessons from the first team to beat the Hyundai A-League champions since February.

They have already been given one useful insight in the shape of Andrew Hoole’s early opener against Sydney, a strike copied by the Reds 24 hours later.

Paul Okon’s side forced the visitors into a turnover on halfway and quickly released their speedy winger, who capitalised on the space left in behind by the advanced Michael Zullo.

If Adelaide’s goal against Newcastle on Saturday is a guide, it’s something they’re capable of replicating.

WING KING

Nikola Mileusnic – another lighting quick wide man – notched his first league goal of the campaign in similar fashion as he drifted inside from the right and was released by an early pass.

The 24-year-old, who bagged a hat-trick in the Cup’s Quarter-Finals, made no mistake with a fine curling finish.

It was the kind of play which suggests the emerging attacker may be ready to be a key role on the grand stage.

And with the Sky Blues potentially vulnerable, Adelaide have reason to believe they can cause a boilover at Allianz Stadium.