FFA Cup semi-final: Adelaide United beat Bentleigh Greens 2-0

[Hogg]

ADELAIDE United marched into a third FFA cup final appearance with a disciplined 2-0 win over Victorian second tier outfit Bentleigh Greens on Friday night.

Without being entirely convincing United had enough control and perfect finesse at crucial times of the semi final at the Greens’ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex to give coach Marco Kurz a consecutive final appearance.

Adelaide will now meet the winner of the Western Sydney and Sydney FC semi final which kicks off on Saturday night at Penrith Stadium.

The final will be played on October 30 or 31 at a yet to be determined venue.

Goalkeeper Paul Izzo, who has not conceded a goal all tournament, was tested early before Ben Halloran settled the nerves of a very open Adelaide defence when he scored the first goal and United’s seventh 2018 FFA Cup strike in the 21st minute.

“Bentleigh pushed all the way in the end and credit to them,’’ Halloran said.

“I’m loving it, they’re a great bunch of boys and you can’t beat the Aussie camaraderie.”

Jordan Elsey made it 2-0 from an acute angle from 6m after Isaias’ 25m angled free kick in the 49th was parried into his path by gloveman Ryan Scott.

That goal demoralised Bentleigh after Halloran — a 2014 FIFA World Cup Socceroos winger — scored his first goal on Australian soil in five years when George Blackwood’s perfect lead up work created the opportunity.

Starting his first official game this season after he was injured during preseason Blackwood worked hard on the left flank in place of the ill Craig Goodwin after Kurz unveiled a refreshing 4-4-2 formation.

Baba Diawara partnered Dane, Ken Ilso in attack as Bentleigh prodded for an early goal which almost arrived when Matthew Thurtell scuffed an 11m left-footed shot wide when he only had Izzo to beat after series of blunders from the Reds defence in the fourth minute.

Two minutes later Halloran forced Scott into a brilliant save around the post from an 8m effort before the home side had Izzo at full stretch from a Chris Lucas shot.

Halloran’s goal however handed the impetus to Adelaide as Baba shot wide from a Greens defensive error in the 29th minute before he rushed another effort wide five minutes later.

As Adelaide appeared to settle for halftime refreshments with a one-goal lead Greens Joshua Meaker fired a long range warning shot which flashed past Izzo’s upright.

Elsey’s goal however changed the storyline of the semi final.

Adelaide threatened to add a third goal as the Greens were forced to attack in numbers leaving their defence exposed for Reds counter attacks.

However the home side weren’t spent as United was forced to defend deeper than expected on the hour when Bentleigh forced consecutive corners before a comfortable save from Izzo ended the mini flurry.

Bentleigh then continued to interrupt Adelaide’s rhythm by forcing four more corners surrounding the 70th minute.

United continually retreated until Kurz revitalised his starting 11 by introducing Apostolos Stamatelopoulos in the 75th minute for Baba.

The teenage striker earned a corner within seconds of his introduction before Mirko Bland blazed a 12m shot high over the bar.

Bentleigh however wouldn’t relent and forced another corner in the 77th minute, taking advantage of the Reds’ preseason tiring legs but again they failed to get a shot on target in its 11th corner.