Adelaide United advance to Quarter Finals with narrow win over Adelaide Olympic
Adelaide United have booked their place in the FFA Cup Quarter Finals after securing a 1-0 win over Adelaide Olympic on Sunday at VALO Sports Centre.
The Reds were forced to work hard for the result by their high-energy National Premier Leagues opponents, but ultimately prevailed on the back of Jacob Tratt’s first-half goal to claim bragging rights in their maiden all-Adelaide cup tie.
With the wind at their back, the Reds dominated the first-half exchanges but took just the single goal lead into the break - defender Tratt delivering a simple finish at the back post after Olympic gloveman Lewis Moss misjudged a corner kick on the quarter hour.
It proved the only blemish for Moss as he kept his side in the contest with a number of stunning saves in the second stanza, including a highlights stealing penalty stop shortly after the hour mark.
However, his side were largely frustrated by a well-organised Reds defence with the hosts largely unable to break down their full-time opponents through-out the 90 minutes.
Still, Olympic were left wondering what might have been as Fausto Erba fired wide with his side's best chance of the contest in the final minute of injury time.
The result sees United become the first side to book their spot in this year's Quarter Finals and extends their unprecedented run of wins in the knockout competition, dating back to November 2017.
KEY MOMENTS
3' | Chance United - An attacking start from the Reds offers an early sight on goal for Ryan Kitto but his shot on a tight angle is pushed behind by Olympic goalkeeper Lewis Moss.
16’ | Goal United – The Reds capitalise on an Olympic error as Moss misjudges Bernado Oliviera’s corner kick to present Jacob Tratt a simple tap-in finish into the unguarded goal.
31' | Chance Olympic - After steadying the ship and growing in confidence, the hosts' link some sharp passes to fashion space on the edge of the box but Kristin Konstandopoulos' strike sails high and wide.
33' | Chance United - Released on the left, Kitto sends a floating ball in from the byline that evades Moss but his blushes are saved this time as the cross-turned-shot clips the crossbar.
34' | Chance United - A patient Reds work the ball across the top of the box before feeding the run of Cavallo on the left but his fierce hit is parried by Moss and cleared by the defence.
39' | Chance United - Olympic fail to clear their lines and the loose ball finds its way to Bernando in the box but his shot is straight at Moss.
49' | Chance Olympic - An upbeat start to the second stanza produces a promising chance for the hosts as Konstandopoulos shimmies in the box but his effort his foiled by a sharp stop from James Delianov.
56' | Chance United - The Reds force a turnover deep in Olympic's half and Halloran breaks into the box but his right-footed stab goes over the bar.
58' | Chance United - Oliviera is brought down inside the box to send the Reds to the penalty spot, but Halloran's spot-kick is foiled by a full-stretched save from Moss.
61' | Chance Olympic - A floated cross from Panagiotis Manidakis picks out Konstandopoulos at the back post and his volleyed effort forces Delianov to push the ball behind.
66' | Chance United - Just minutes after entering the fray, substitute Juande winds up a vicious strike for the Reds but Moss again proves the spoiler with a stunning save.
71' | Chance United - Halloran picks out Yaya Dukuly in a promising position but he miscues his strike across the face of goal.
86' | Chance Olympic - A floated free-kick from deep finds its way to Erba, but he skies his audacious volley well off target from a narrow angle.
87' | Chance United - A gilt-edged chance presents for Halloran as he receives the ball in space in the box but his shot lacks pepper and is easily pounced on by Moss.
90+3' | Chance Olympic - A last-gasp chance to force extra time goes begging for the hosts as Erba fires his first-time strike wide under pressure from a promising position.
MATCH DETAILS
FFA Cup 2021 - Round of 16: Adelaide Olympic vs Adelaide United
VALO Sports Centre, Adelaide
Sunday, 17 October 2021
Adelaide Olympic - 0
Adelaide United - 1 (Jacob TRATT 16')
