The Reds' road to the Westfield FFA Cup semi final

Adelaide United face Western Sydney Wanderers for a place in the Westfield FFA Cup final. The inaugural winners of the trophy have been impressive in progressing to the last four this year.

How did they get there?

REDS EASE PAST JETS

The woodwork was rattled three times in the first hour of this all Hyundai A-League round-of-32 clash at Marden Sports Complex.

Jets striker Dimi Petratos hit the post after half an hour with Adelaide's George Blackwood doing the same a few minutes later.

Early in the second half, the Jets were again denied by the crossbar before the game's only goal came from the most unlikely of sources.

Veteran defender Michael Marrone - who has scored just once in 160 Hyundai A-League appearances - headed home a precise corner from Dane Johan Absalonsen to give his side the lead.

Newcastle had a glorious opportunity to equalise late in the game but Reds defender Jordan Elsey somehow got himself in the way of Kosta Petratos's goal-bound effort to keep it out.

The Jets' Cup curse continues as the Reds rolled on.

Isaias battles with Wayne Brown in Adelaide's Round of 32 win.
Isaias battles with Wayne Brown in Adelaide's Round of 32 win.

EYE-CATCHING STRIKES DOWN VICTORY

In the round-of-16, Adelaide United produced their most impressive pre-season performance, beating Melbourne Victory 3-0 at Marden Sports Complex.

After a goal-less first half, new coach Marco Kurz changed up his side's approach and it was Danish winger Johan Absalonsen who opened the scoring with his fierce drive from outside the penalty area flying past Victory 'keeper Lawrence Thomas.

George Blackwood doubled the lead from the penalty spot after 66 minutes before Nathan Konstandopoulos iced the cake late on, drilling an unstoppable effort into the top right-hand corner.

What a night as the Reds stormed into the quarters.

George Blackwood was on the scoresheet in Adelaide's big win over Victory.
George Blackwood was on the scoresheet in Adelaide's big win over Victory.

NIKOLA'S DREAM NIGHT IN MELBOURNE

Rising star Nikola Mileusnic scored a hat-trick as the Reds reached the final four with a 3-0 victory over Heidelberg United at Olympic Park Village.

It took just three minutes for Adelaide to open the scoring in this quarter final clash with Mileusnic turning home a Ryan Kitto cross from close-range.

The talented former NPL star doubled the advantage after ten minutes, swivelling in the box to thump a fierce effort past Christophe Theodoridis-Petropoulos.

Mileusnic's hat-trick came on the hour when Johan Absalonsen's deep cross was headed back across goal by Karim Matmour, leaving the hero of the night with an easy tap-in.

Now for Wanderers and a place in the FFA Cup Final against Sydney FC.

Karim Matmour almost scored with a rabona in the win over Heidelberg.
Karim Matmour almost scored with a rabona in the win over Heidelberg.