Match-winner Marco Ureña is "really proud" of his side after the Central Coast Mariners secured a first ever FFA Cup Final berth with a 1-0 win over Sydney FC on Tuesday night.
Ureña’s penalty on 82 minutes proved decisive as the Mariners sealed a Semi Final victory at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
The Costa Rican forward’s powerful penalty forced its way through Andrew Redmayne’s legs after the Mariners were awarded a penalty for Joel King’s foul on Lewis Miller.
Despite Redmayne being unable to stop the penalty, his heroics had kept the Mariners attack at bay up to that point with the Sydney No.1 producing some sublime saves to deny Ureña, Moresche & Béni Nkololo.
“It’s good, we deserved it,” Ureña said.
“We deserved to win, no matter how. I’m really proud of this team.
“We wanted to make history today. We said before the game started, and we did it, and now we’re in a Final for the first time in so many years.
“I’m really excited, I’m looking forward to the Final!”
Tuesday’s Semi Final proved to be third time lucky for the Central Coast, who had fallen at the hands of Adelaide in each of their two previous appearances in the competition’s final four.
The Mariners' Semi Final win in Kogarah is added to away victories over APIA Leichhardt, Wollongong Wolves & Blacktown City as Nick Montgomery’s side secured their spot in the Final with four wins on the road.
Central Coast will now face the winner of Wellington Phoenix or Melbourne Victory in the FFA Cup Final, with a date to be confirmed soon.
FFA Cup Semi Final Match Highlights: Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners
