How your team will fare in the A-League Finals
It’s that time of year again – A-League Finals Football is back! Cancel your commitments, tell mum you can’t come home for Easter; we’ve finally hit the business end of the season. With the top-six having been sorted, a competitive three weeks of finals football is in the offing. And with perennial entertainers Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane competing alongside solid performers Western Sydney and Central Coast (oh, and Sydney made it too…) we are in for what promises to be the most competitive A-League Finals series to date.
And with all the action commencing this weekend, From The Stands has boldly composed our final’s predictions. Enjoy!
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne are one of the most entertaining sides in the league for the neutral. If they’re not scoring goals, they’re conceding plenty. It’s not often you find a side equally adept in providing entertainment at both ends on the pitch. If this trend continues, the Victory are sure to deliver a cracker on Friday night.
Melbourne will be confident this week, after securing an impressive victory against the reigning ACL Champions, Guangzhou Evergrande on Tuesday evening. 2-0 could have been more, if a misfiring Kosta Barbarouses brought the right pair of boots to the game. Even Pablo Contreras managed to stay on his feet for the majority of the 90 minutes, such was the performance midweek.
While Melbourne were as slick as a Connor Pain hair cut against Guangzhou, they’ve been as good as Kevin Muscat’s 2010 penalty in recent encounters with Sydney FC. Home field advantage will play a part in this Friday’s fixture, but may not be enough for a fatigued Melbourne side to overcome Sydney FC.
Key Influence
James Troisi: Since Ange Postecoglou’s departure, Troisi’s impact has tapered. With that said, he has the potential wreak havoc against league’s best. Th 25-year-old only needs a sniff to put the ball in the back of the net and also has the ability to play a defence splitting pass.
Notable mention: Mark Milligan.
Predicted finish
Knocked out in round one. Melbourne have struggled with Sydney this season, and it would be fair to say that the Sky Blues have gotten inside their heads. Derbies can go either way, but Sydney might just be able to sneak in with a win in round one. It’s not all doom and gloom for Victory, with a likely ACL finals appearance coming up.
FTSAUS Fact
Melbourne Victory have failed to win a ‘Big Blue’ all season, Losing 3-2, 5-0 and drawing 1-1 in 3 encounters.
Sydney FC
No person in his or her right mind could say Sydney truly deserve to be in the top-six. Sydney fans of rational cerebral context (which can vary quite greatly) would consider any further advancement in the finals an unmitigated success, circumstances and Farinas considered. A potential finals victory over Melbourne and a mouth-watering Sydney Derby Sydney Semi Final will have all Sydney fans quivering with excitement, in Sydney. Did I mention Sydney?
Sydney will still approach the finals campaign with caution, on the back of an embarrassingly dusty but awkwardly consistent performance against Perth Glory. Sydney have struggled to play decent football all season, but on the rare occasion it happens, they have put sides away with relative comfort. Victory has been on the end of one of these rare performances on more than one occasion now; perhaps Farina has Muscat figured out in this battle of tactical juggernauts.
The Sky Blues are hard to put a read on, but will need a colossal effort from their key players if they’re going make inroads in this finals campaign. They will be happy with the draw though, with players naturally lifted by derby prospects. Terry McFlynn is gone at season’s end, and all signs are pointing towards Alessando Del Piero departing. Maybe, just maybe, Sydney FC can lift and send Terry and ADP out winners.
Key Influence
Vedran Janjetovic: Vedran has been behind a somewhat a solid backline in recent weeks, and has the glove work to not only save games based on extraordinary reflexes, but can get inside player’s heads in potential shoot-outs. Janjetovic has been an omnipresent for Sydney all season, his solid performances will almost undoubtedly continue into the finals.
Notable mention: Sasa Ognenovski.
Predicted finish
Losing Semi Finalists. Sydney will not have enough gas in them to lift for two consecutive derby fixtures. Western Sydney will lose their home field advantage, with the potential semi to be moved to ANZ Stadium if the Sky Blues progress. Even with the game to be played at a somewhat neutral venue, a fresh Wanderers team will be difficult for Farina’s men to overcome.
FTSAUS Fact
The last time Sydney FC met Melbourne in the finals, they finished champions, winning the 2010 Grand Final 4-2 on penalties.
Adelaide United
Put through their paces by the best manager in the league (as voted by you), Josep Gombau, Adelaide United will fancy their chances of being the first side to win the A-League from a sixth place finish. Adelaide can undoubtedly match the likes of Brisbane and have been carving good results out recently against other top six opposition. Question marks lie over Adelaide’s ability in away legs, however, and despite all of their ingenuity, there is a reason why Adelaide finished sixth this season.
Adelaide approach the finals on the back of a disappointing 2-0 loss to the Newcastle Jets, in a game they were never really in. Perhaps Adelaide had their mind elsewhere, with sights set on the finals.
Since the start of December, United have won 6 of 11 games against the other top 6 contenders, losing on just 3 occasions. Despite this solid record, Gombau’s side travel to the Central Coast to take on a rejuvenated Mariners side. Adelaide have not won on the Central Coast since January 2009, an embarrassing record for one of the more consistent sides in the competition. The Reds have improved all season, but it seems more likely that United will have to wait until next year to reap the benefits of playing free flowing tika-taka-Barcelona-total-football.
Key Influence
Josep Gombau: The Spanish manager has put his name on United’s side this season, and has them playing some classic flowing football. Gombau has instilled that extra verve and flow into Adelaide’s football, and they will be hard to beat this series. Also, who can’t resist the prospect of another Josep Gombau over-the-top-shirt-lifting-knee-sliding goal celebration?
Notable mentions: The entire foreign contingent.
Predicted finish
Losing Semi Finalists. Adelaide should overcome Phil Moss’s side, but face a tough challenge away at Brisbane in the second week. Adelaide are good enough on their day to win the competition, however it is hard to see Brisbane Roar dropping straight out of the finals series.
FTSAUS Fact
Adelaide have not won on the Central Coast in 5 years, their last victory coming via a singular goal to Cristiano (remember him?) in January 2009.
Central Coast Mariners
After a topsy turvy season, Central Coast now have a settled squad whom have won 4 of their last 5 league fixtures. Mariners also have an enviable recent record playing in front of the palm trees at home, and have built a solid platform of well-structured, defensively sound football.
Central Coast failed to beat Seoul at home in the ACL midweek, losing via a John Hutchinson own-goal in the 92nd minute. The Mariners won’t take much from this fixture, and will look to wipe the slate clean and start afresh on Sunday night.
The Mariners are a defensively sound side whom counter attack almost as effectively as Brisbane, but perhaps may struggle with the attacking movement of Adelaide United this week. With Matt Simon somehow finding himself a regular starter for the side, Phil Moss’ side on occasion are found to lack some fire power. Finals series are won and lost on half chances, and whether or not the Mariners are good enough to take these chances will define their finals campaign.
Key Influence
Bernie Ibini: The flashy Nigerian native has natural speed to burn and purpose every time he touches the ball. Potent in front of goal, Ibini will play a crucial role as Mariners looks for back-to-back A-League Championships
Notable mention: Kim Seung-Yong.
Predicted finish
Knocked out round one. The Mariners are a solid side, but leave me wondering if they have enough gas left in them.
FTSAUS Fact
The Mariners are the most consistent finals finisher’s in the league, having only missed the finals on two previous occasions.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Everyone’s second favourite football team head into the finals campaign amidst a season of controversy. Just where is a boating store out west for the RBB to purchase ‘supplies’? How much Primo Ham can you fit in a brown paper bag? What did Brendan Santalab say? Why isn’t he starting Tomi Juric this week? All questions that may well remain unanswered.
One thing we will find out is if the A-League’s favourite Hokey Pokey manager Tony Popovic has made the right calls this season by putting his players in, out and shaken all about. The Wanderers went oh so close to a title in their debut season last year, and have the cavalry to go one better this year.
Wanderers’ have a deep squad whom are chock full of belief, pulling towards the same goal. There may just be a little less expectation heading into the finals this year, compared to their first campaign, and this pressure release might be just what the boys out west need to claim their first Toilet Bowl.
Key Influence
Tomi Juric. The well-rested Socceroos Striker has somewhat tailed off towards the back end of the season after starting with a bang, but will be looking to earn himself a spot on the plane to Brazil. A physical presence with
pace to boot, Juric is equipped with all of the tools to cause problems for any A-league defence, I believe he will have a major say in how far the Wanderers progress in the coming weeks.
Notable mention: The home fans and the RBB.
Predicted finish
Champions. Popovic’s rotation policy has copped plenty of stick throughout the season, frustrating fans out west during the course of their Asian Champions League campaign. It’s time the Wanderers reaped the benefits from resting their stars. Wanderers are going to play their strongest XI for probably only the 4th time this season and in my opinion will edge Roar out in a close final.
FTSAUS Fact
Western Sydney have kept more clean sheets than any other team this season, finishing the season with 10.
Brisbane Roar
Mike Mulvey’s cavalcade of technically gifted footballs have put in an astute showing throughout the A-League campaign, and will be resting easy after the Newcastle Jets missed out on making the finals, avoiding any potential hoodoo run ins.
Brisbane head into the finals campaign as outright favourites and with a squad that by far and away exceeds most others in the league in terms of talent, consistency and performance. Mulvey’s men will be looking to cap off an already impressive campaign with a record 3rd A-League Championship.
While securing any finals win is no easy task, Brisbane have the squad, the recent success, as well as the momentum to take them to put away whomever travels up north in week two of the finals.
Key Influence
Thomas Broich: Broich finished the season as the top assist earner for the 4th year running, having a direct hand in 12 goals this season. Broich has epitomised Brisbane since his arrival, indisputably talented and undoubtedly driven towards success. The German starlet will have a large influence in to whether or not Roar top off a terrific season with the Championship.
Notable mention: Luke Brattan.
Predicted finish
Losing finalists. I like the Roar, they are an extremely good side, but do they have a next level that we are yet to see? I don’t think so. It’s one thing to be motivated to be the best, it’s another to be motivated to beat the best. I think another side might just do that this campaign and the Roar will lose in their 3rd attempt to grab the Championship.
FTSAUS Fact
Besart Berisha finished the season as the first player in A-league history to score 10 plus goals in 3 consecutive seasons.
Agree or disagree? Direct all of your abuse on Twitter towards @mitchdoyle08 or in the comments below. Meanwhile, follow the team on Twitter: @FTSAUS
Google+
