Western Sydney Wanderers took on Adelaide United at Marconi Stadium in the Australia Cup Round of 16 match, and turned in a scintillating performance, Marcus Antonsson and Brandon Borrello both picking up a brace with Milos Ninkovic scoring his first for the Wanderers to demolish Adelaide by 5 goals to 1.
5 goal hero Lachie Brook was absent due to his Olyroos callup while Doni Grdic dropped to the bench after struggling with an ankle injury. He was replaced in the starting lineup by the youngster Alex Bonetig. Marcus Antonsson made his first start for the Wanderers after his substitute appearance against Floreat.
It took all of a minute for the Wanderers to hit the front. Jack Clisby picked up a cross from the other side of the pitch, took a touch and whipped in a vicious cross to the 6 yard box. Joe Gauci was caught on his heels and was late to the ball, missing it entirely while Antonsson didn't, knocking it past the keeper to make it 1-0 after 1 minute and 26 seconds. Clisby continued his marauding in the 5th minute, getting on the end of a pass and firing a curling shot toward Gauci and this time the Adelaide keeper held on to it.
WSW went on the attack again the 18th minute, picking up the ball from the Adelaide defence who panicked, with Brandon Borrello being played in but offside, only for Alexander Popovic's heavy tackle on Josh Brillante in the lead up being judged as a foul and a yellow card. The free kick was harmless, off the wall from Borrello and then kicked out of play off the rebound by Clisby.
The Wanderers lighting attack doubled the lead in the 37th minute. Brillante initiated a sweeping left flank attack by finding Clisby in space. Clisby played it on to Ninkovic and the midfielders unsighted reverse pass found Antonsson beautifully, the Swede's cutback gave Borrello a chance and the Wanderers talisman took a touch to open the space on the right peg and fired home to make it 2-0.
Antonsson nearly had his second 5 minutes from half-time with Borrello laying a cross along the face of the goal but agonisingly out of reach of the attacker. Lawrence Thomas had little to do so far in the match and he almost coughed up what would have been a near certain equaliser, misplaying a back pass and inviting Ben Halloran into a challenge with the ball flying out for a reliving goal kick.
If Adelaide had a lot of work to do after the second goal, Antonsson gave them what looked like an insurmountable task seconds before half-time. Marcelo launched a long ball over the top of the Adelaide defence, Antonsson brought it down perfectly, one touch to place it onto the right foot and the second to fire it past Gauci who dived the wrong way. 3-0 at the break, Adelaide far off the pace and not in the contest at all.
Adelaide weren't good enough in the first half and their second half started just as poorly. Milos Ninkovic scoring his first goal in Red & Black in the 53rd minute, a right flank raid ending with Ninkovic unmarked and with all the time in the world he steadied himself and passed it into the far side netting to make it 4-0. Carl Veart had seen enough, pulling Isias and Popovic in exchange for Barr & Alagich.
Shortly before the hour Borrello had his 2nd, and the Wanderers fifth as Tom Beadling pulled out a through ball that would impress Xavi, from deep in his own half he curled a ball along the deck, scything through the central defence, Borrello was through on goal and lobbed Gauci, the ball taking two bounces with the second spinning back to hit the goalpost and nestle in the back of the net.
Adelaide had their best chance of the night with Bernando getting on a long ball from Barr, the flyer beat Thomas who rushed out of the penalty area but did enough to put off the Adelaide attacker without giving away what would have been a certain red card, giving Clisby enough time to get back and shield the ball over the byline for a goal kick.
Oscar Preistman and Marcus Younis made their way onto the field in the 72nd minute with Dylan Pierias and Tom Beadling given early marks. 10 minutes from time Zac Sapsford came on for Antonsson & Gabriel Cleur on for Aidan Simmons. Adelaide picked up a consolation goal in the 80th minute, taking advantage of Cleur misplaying a ball deep in the Adelaide half, they counter-attacked with a heavy strike that Thomas could only parry into the path of Zac Clough and he couldn't miss the open net. Neither team would add further to the scoreline and the Wanderers closed off their thumping victory to progress to the last 8.
The draw for the Quarter Final will take place following the final 3 games of the round tomorrow night.
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