First semi-final: Sydney FC v Perth Glory
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Diego Castro of the Glory and Milos Ninkovic of Sydney in action.
MATCH PREVIEW
By LAURENCE ROSEN
Sydney FC face Perth Glory in Saturday night’s crunch semi-final clash for a spot in the A-League’s grand final decider on May 7.
After losing just once in the 27-week regular season, all the pressure will be on Graham Arnold’s side to perform against a Perth Glory side that dispatched Melbourne City last Sunday night and enter this game as relative outsiders.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 24: Perth 0 – Sydney FC 3, at nib Stadium in Perth
Sydney beat Perth all three times they played during the 2016-17 season but its most recent outing was perhaps the most telling. Playing Perth at nib Stadium is never easy but the manner in which the Sky Blues beat Perth in late March will give them confidence ahead of their finals showdown.
Their 3-0 win was not only comprehensive but clinical in a way not seen from Sydney regularly this season.
Arnold’s side this season has been efficient rather than flashy but their win late in this season send a message and effectively sealed the title. Perth had set themselves for this match as their pushed for a top-four spot but were left humbled by a Sydney side that has swept all before them this year.
KEY PLAYER MATCH-UP
Diego Castro v Alex Wilkinson
A matchup between one of the league’s best attackers and one of its more underrated defenders, nullifying Castro’s technical ability, will go a long way to ensuring they host the season decider. Sydney conceded a league-low 12 goals this season and this, along with January signing Jody Bujis, are key strengths in this side.
Castro has single-handedly won more than his fair share of games for Perth this season so Sydney’s back four will need to be alert to both him and Adam Taggart if they are to win.
Milos Ninkovic v Rostyn Griffiths
Along with Castro, Ninkovic has lit the league up this year – scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists. Along with Brandon O’Neill and Josh Brillante, he’s provided the engine room for Sydney’s successes during the regular season.
Kenny Lowe is likely to use Rostyn Griffiths in a negating role to shut down Ninkovic. Perth has tended to adopt a more conservative game plan, especially away from home this year and in a final, is likely to do so again.
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Alex Wilkinson wins the ball from Glory's Adam Taggart in a match in March.
TACTICAL PREVIEW
Stop the opposition. That’s been the mantra for both Arnold and Kenny Lowe this season. While both sides possess a wide array of attacking talent, their respective back fours and defensive midfielders are the reason why both have a shot at making the A-League grand final.
Sydney have beaten Perth by three goals in their trio of meetings this season but expect this final to be a lot closer. Rhys Williams should be fit to play in midfield after making a sub appearance against Melbourne City and his presence help both the defensive and attacking side of Perth. There shouldn’t be any real tactical surprises but, like any final, the first goal will be crucial.
If Sydney get it Perth will need to attack and open themselves up on the counter while if the Glory take a surprise away lead, Lowe has tended to drop an extra attacking player back and effectively play with five defenders when they have the ball.
FINAL PREDICTION
Sydney may have won the league by a record margin but, like it or not, it’ll all be for nothing if they don’t win the championship. But before they get there, they’ll have to overcome a tricky Perth Glory.
While it should be a tight and nerve-wracking match for thousands of expectant Sydney FC fans, the method that has got them where they are should hold them in good stead over the 90 minutes.
Prediction: Sydney FC 2-1 in extra time
Second semi-final: Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar
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Thomas Oar of the Roar is tackled by Jason Geria of the Victory in a match in January.
MATCH PREVIEW
By TAS MAVRIDIS
Melbourne Victory face Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park in a do-or-die semi-final fixture on Sunday evening with the winner booking their place in the A-League Grand Final against either Sydney FC or Perth Glory.
While the Victory will be coming off a week off, Brisbane’s squad faces the challenge of playing both 120 minutes in the Elimination Final as well as a midweek Asian Champions League game in Thailand.
With the recent history of both sides, as well as the opportunity to go for their fourth premiership, Sunday evening’s game will be a heated affair.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 24: Brisbane 1 – Melbourne Victory 0, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The Melbourne Victory had five key members of their team absent due to international duty and it took a Jamie Maclaren second half strike to secure the points for the Roar. The result meant that results between the teams was evenly split with each side recording a win and a draw.
A concerning trend for the Victory has been his side's vulnerability once they take the lead. In the three meetings prior to their Round 24 matchups, the Victory took the lead three times.
However, Brisbane managed to overturn the lead in one of these games, secure a late equaliser In the other and claw back a 3-0 deficit to 3-2.
KEY PLAYER MATCH-UP
Brett Holman v Carl Valeri
A matchup between one of the new recruits this season and a midfield enforcer, this match up will prove critical in determining who dominates the midfield battle.
Brett Holman as part of the Roar’s midfield will have a critical job as a spearhead of setting up the attacking trio of the Roar. With his goal scoring form also on show in recent weeks, if Brett Holman can take control of the midfield battle, the likes of Jamie Maclaren will have plenty of service which will be pivotal to the Roar.
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Carl Valeri will be a key figure in the match.
Melbourne Victory captain Carl Valeri will have a critical role in blocking off as much supply as possible and blunting the roar attack. Valeri can break up the Brisbane attacks he possesses the ability to set the dangerous Victory attacks on quick counter attacks.
Maclaren has the awareness to both finish off in front of goal, the pace to get in behind defences and the ability to link up play. If he is on form, Victory could face an even greater challenge to book a spot in the grand final.
Tactical preview
Both the sides have shown this season that it is their attacking weapons who will most likely decide the game.
For Melbourne Victory, Kevin Muscat has kept the same formation of 4-3-3 all season with "Mr Versatile" Leigh Broxham preferred alongside Valeri as the anchoring partnership of the Victory midfield since the departure of Oliver Bozanic.
Importantly, this has allowed the attacking power of James Troisi (attacking midfield) and the front three of Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Besart Berisha and Marco Rojas to provide the goal scoring threat.
Despite struggling to keep clean sheets for most of the season, two clean sheets to close out the regular season will come as a welcome boost for Muscat’s side.
However, history between the two sides has shown plenty of goals meaning that Victory could require further backup off the bench through the likes of Jai Ingham and Mitch Austin.
For the Roar, John Aloisi is expected to make wholesale changes for the ACL game midweek to ensure maximum freshness for the game against the Victory.
Maclaren will head the attack with the likes of Brandon Borrello, Tommy Oar, Holman and Thomas Broich providing the support and other threats.
The signing of Greek international centre back Avram Papadopoulos has been influential in solidifying a defence which did have tendencies to leak goals.
FINAL PREDICTION
A combination of home advantage and the extra rest that key players have had from the week off, should mean that Victory will overrun the Roar.
Prediction: Victory 3-1