Last night Adelaide United and Sydney FC served up an absolute classic to decide the fifth FFA Cup. There was thunder, passion and quality in equal measure and the only final match I can think of that equals the sheer drama in this country (in the A-League era) was the Brisbane v Central Coast match of 2011. That game went down in history as one of the best examples of what our game can offer, and I believe the match last night is deserving of similar billing.

It takes a hell of a team to beat Sydney FC so it just goes to show the calibre of the side Marco Kurz has built. Resilient, organised, and bristling with threat, Adelaide will be one of the teams to beat in the A-League this year. The fact they did it without any first (or second) choice strikers speaks volumes for the systems they’ve established.

It also speaks volumes for the brilliance of Craig Goodwin who has surely played himself back into Socceroos contention. Not necessarily a starter at that level, but his quality off the bench with dead balls (and shooting generally) is all but unmatched by other Australians. If he keeps that level up he will certainly be at the Asian Cup.

You’d have to say also that Paul Izzo is a bit of a dark horse for the Socceroos in the medium term. There are a few in front of him but he had a cracker (and made one cracker of a save in the second half).

I’m also very impressed with Kurz’s coaching and it’s no exaggeration to say that he has taken the team back to where they were under Josep Gombau, and maybe beyond (remembering that Gombau did win an A-League Grand Final). The players are clearly desperate to do well for him and that is what really counts for Australian fans. (He’s also dead right about holding the FFA Cup Final on the Saturday night before the A-League season begins.)

The last point I wish to make is this: there is no better atmosphere in Australian football than Coopers Stadium when it’s full. The fans are utterly feral and the noise is unbelievable. It must be so uplifting for the local boys when the crowd are breathing down their necks and SO onside. It was like any European atmosphere and ought to replayed again and again by Fox Sports, to ensure all Australian sports fans get to appreciate what football is capable of producing.

After only two rounds, you can tell already this is going to be an outstanding season. Adelaide and Sydney will be in contention, but so will Perth (who have really impressed me under Popa), and so will Wellington (no, seriously!). Mark Rudan should have won an A-League gig years ago and the clubs that had the chance but didn’t sign him will be cursing themselves by the end of December.

But for now, it’s all about Adelaide United.

Brilliant game and a brilliant result for the FFA Cup.

Football was the winner.

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Adrian’s latest book The Fighting Man is in the shops right now or available through Booktopia. Adrian also wrote Mr Cleansheets.