And then there were four!
The FFA Cup 2019 is reaching the pointy end with two massive Semi Finals on this week to decide this year’s finalists.
The first clash comes from Brisbane’s Perry Park on Tuesday night as the last remaining NPL side – Brisbane Strikers – entertain Erick Mombaerts’ Melbourne City.
Then 24 hours later we head to Gosford as Central Coast Mariners – in the last four for the first time in five years – take on defending Cup champions Adelaide United.
Read on as we preview both of these titanic battles.
HOW TO WATCH: Both FFA Cup 2019 Semi Finals
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Brisbane Strikers v Melbourne City
No Member Federation club has ever reached the final of the FFA Cup in five previous editions of the tournament.
Could the Strikers be the side to write their name into FFA Cup folklore?
You certainly wouldn’t put it past the club that were Australian Champions before, winning the NSL title in 1997.
The Strikers have already created a piece of history in 2019, becoming the first team from Queensland to reach the last four of the competition.
But Owen Baker’s men don’t want to stop now and have shown on their Cup run – which included a win over Hyundai A-League side Wellington Phoenix – they have plenty of quality.
With what will be a raucous home crowd behind them, they will take some stopping on Tuesday night.
City head north with plenty of confidence of their own under new French boss Mombaerts.
It’s in attack where the Hyundai A-League look particularly strong, with striker Jamie Maclaren in-form and fit, while new recruit Craig Noone has scored in every round.
City are looking to qualify for the final for the first time since they won the FFA Cup back in 2016.
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Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United
The Mariners have endured some lean times in recent years but Alen Stajcic’s side are now just 90 minutes away from their first FFA Cup final.
Considering the Gosford club has lost in the Round of 32 from 2015 to 2018, their march to the last four has been remarkable.
After overcoming Northern NSW NPL side Maitland in the Round of 32, the Mariners beat Robbie Fowler’s Brisbane Roar on penalties before a stoppage-time winner to squeeze past Hume City in the last eight.
It’s been a Cup run built on grit and team spirit.
They’ll need all that and a little more if they are to overcome the most successful club in FFA Cup history.
The Reds have reached three of five previous FFA Cup finals, winning twice, including last year under Marco Kurz.
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Aside from the hard-fought Quarter Final win over Newcastle Jets (1-0), Adelaide have been free-scoring this year, overcoming Melbourne Knights 5-2 and Olympic FC 3-2 in previous rounds.
Gertjan Verbeek will be relying on his side’s vast Cup experience and the sensational form of livewire youngster Al Hassan Toure to get past the motivated Mariners.
This clash is a repeat of the 2014 Semi Final, which the Reds won 3-2 on their way to winning the inaugural FFA Cup.
