That’s all from me for tonight, thank you for your company.

Sunday’s second semi-final will be covered in a similar way, Richard Parkin should be on deck for that barn burner.

Then we’re onto the granny, next Sunday at 4pm AEST, live from Adelaide Oval.

90+2 min: Elsey the incoming sub, I should point out.

So, we now know next week’s grand final will be in Adelaide, we just don’t know who United will be facing.

90 min: Put a fork in this, City are done. Clisby has limped off injured so they’re down to ten men. Adelaide are rampant and big Bruce is hunting his hat-trick.

Mauk, in odd coloured boots (both in their mismatched nature and their oddness - pink and yellow) subbed off after a mighty shift.

87 min: Lovely passing down Adelaide’s right inside, outside, behind the fullback and it takes a last ditch challenge from Clisby to deny Sanchez. Clisby hurt himself in that clearance. Cramp? Hammy? Either way it’s a corner to Adelaide and a good header from Sanchez almost loops in but Marino heads it clear off the line.

85 min: The lively Kamau is replaced by Pablo Sanchez. This contributes to a number of stoppages that have taken the sting out of the game, much to the home side’s benefit.

83 min: The ball keeps bouncing City’s way in Adelaide territory but they can’t fashion clear chances from it. Mooy’s corner finds Malik, who slips, then Fitzgerald tries an optimistic punt from range.

The atmosphere is less jubilant now, much more tense, but the home side are still in the box seat.

81 min: Both midfields have gone missing and the ball is pinging from one forward third to the other.

Important substitutions coming up. Elrich returning for Goodwin and Melling coming on for Kisnorbo. That will mean a reshuffle for City, presumably to a back three.

Elrich immediately into the fray with a brave far post header to deny Fitzgerald a chance. Mooy again instrumental in the build up.

78 min: Mooy is everywhere at the moment. His pass to Formaroli feeds the striker into the box but his twists and turns can’t create space. The 50:50s falling to City now, the second balls and mishit passes landing their way. Not only to cpaitalise on some rare momentum though.

76 min: Belief for City and it shows in Mooy’s gorgeous pass to Marino but the youngster can’t beat the first defender with his shot.

Adelaide whiplash down the other end and Goodwin hits a shot as hard as a ball can ever conceivably have been hit. It thunders just over the bar though and out for a corner.

74 min: A-Grade commentator’s curse there. City with a decent spell of possession down their right, the ball finds Fitzgerald with half a yard of space on the edge of the box and he makes no mistake. That makes the final 15-minutes interesting.

71 min: Adelaide just stroking the ball around their manor now, showing off their skills. A couple of passes go astray though but City can’t capitalise. United’s ability to regroup quickly is a major feature of their success. Such energy, commitment and discipline.

70 min: It’s hard not to wonder ‘what if?’ for City. Zullo, Franjic and Novillo would all improve this XI. The fullbacks in particular have been weak spots.

Mauk the latest into the book, sixth of the match so far.

67 min: Caceres into the book for a desperate challenge on the counterattacking Mauk. Delovski, as expected, has had his work cut out tonight. He’s got the big decisions right though, no complaints over the penalty.

64 min: The home side are all over the visitors now. Isaias with a sumptuous lobbed pass over the advancing defensive line for Kamau but his shot is deflected for a corner. This could get ugly for City at a packed and delirious Coopers Stadium.

62 min: It would take something miraculous for City to pull this one back now. Van’t Schip is rolling the dice, Retre off for Connor Chapman and Garuccio replaced by Marino.

58 min: Clear booking for La Rocca. Classic Fornaroli, waiting for the ball to feet with his back to goal, rolls the defender and the shirt-grab has the Red seeing yellow. Nothing comes of the free-kick though.

City look a bit bereft of ideas going forward. They certainly miss Novillo’s power and unpredictability.

55 min: It’s worth repeating that Marc Marino is the only attacking option on City’s bench. Not much wriggle room for Van’t Schip.

Good deep corner from Mooy beats Galekovic but Malik can’t force it home at the far post. Another good corner finds Malik but he’s unprepared and the ball’s cleared. Can City keep up this pressure?

53 min: City pressing. Mooy taking the game on like Steph Curry with bodies bouncing off him in Adelaide’s half. Fitzgerald whips in a cross that reaches Fornaroli’s head but it runs behind for a goal kick.

50 min: Quality finish from the big man. Power and precision with the inside of his right foot. One of those using the momentum of the ball coming into him to aim beyond the far post and watch it drift in late.

Now, what can City muster against the stingiest defence in the league?

Almost something immediately as a teasing Mooy free-kick just evades the outstretched boot of Kisnorbo.

45 min + 2: Poor couple of phases by Mooy. First his corner from the left fails to clear the first defender, then he’s caught offside as the second ball heads his way. Two minutes of added time at the end of the half.

45 min: Ooooh! Djite wallops a left-footer from miles out and it only just misses the left-hand post. Sorensen was all over it but when you see a shot fly so fast around knee-high it sets the heart racing.

City just running the clock down a little as half time approaches.

43 min: Adelaide’s attacking play has dropped off in the last few minutes. Kamau the latest to misplace a pass in the final third.

41 min: When City have the ball Adelaide get numbers into defence quickly. All 11 behind the ball as City’s centre halves look to pick a pass inside United’s half. After that initial manic press it’s a deep claustrophobic retreat.

39 min: City enjoying their best spell of possession for the game, albeit only a couple of minutes on the ball. Shifting from one flank to the other a chance has to come and it does, a volley from 25 metres to Mooy who absolutely murders one off the laces but straight at La Rocca and it ricochets to safety. Wonderful technique from the Socceroo.

37 min: This is brilliant stuff. First from Kamau to work his way to the byline, then from Mooy to rob the ball and then release Garuccio on the counter. his cross-field defence splitter reaches Fitzgerald and he’s eventually felled by Goodwin, who is subsequently booked. Breathless finals football.

35 min: How did that not go in!? Adelaide have to score. Superb build up from their own defence (including a smart advantage by Delovski) results in Kamau one on one with Sorensen but the Dane does just enough, Kisnorbo darting in to clear the ball off the line. That was a glorious move, deserved a goal.

Is this going to be one of those nights in front of goal for the Reds?

33 min: Chance for City! Caceres has grown into the game and he links up well with Garuccio down the left. His cross reaches Fornaroli near the penalty spot but his left footed shot is unexpectedly weak and cleared.

Adelaide go down the other end straight away and Carrusca tries an early curler from 20 metres but it dips just past the right-hand post.

31 min: Adelaide dominating with 62% possession during the opening third of the match. They’ve had chances to make that count on the scoreboard too but City remain on terms.

28 min: Garuccio has to do better from a counterattacking opportunity down the left. Poor control sees a decent opportunity go begging.

Other things to note - Djite is playing well with his back to goal, shielding the ball from Kisnorbo and Wilkinson, and Carrusca has no natural opponent in the hole behind City’s midfield. That combination is causing havoc but as yet not delivered a finishing touch.

26 min: Rare counterattack from City leads to Fitzgerald shooting straight at Galekovic from a narrow angle. Fornaroli the provider but the Uruguayan has been quiet so far.

24 min: Another good cross, this time for the other fullback looks dangerous but Sorensen commands his area well.

Adelaide again get straight back into things and create another gilt edged chance! Djite this time fed through by Cirio smashes one towards the near post and Sorensen makes another good diving stop.

Adelaide knowing on the door at Coopers Stadium.

22 min: Contentious moment here with Djite winning what looked like a 50:50 with Sorensen on the edge of City’s box but Delovski found a free kick to the keeper.

Adelaide get on with the game and create the best chance of the match so far. Superb cross from the sprinting Goodwin beats two defenders and finds Kamau at the far post but Sorensen rushes over to make a decent save. The resulting corner comes to nought.

20 min: Poor giveaway in midfield by Retre allows Adelaide to break but nothing comes of it, again. The tempo has slowed a little out there after that frenetic start, thanks largely to City and in particular Mooy, finding some possession.

18 min: City edging their way back into this contest with Fitzgerald lively and Mooy unfurling one of his trademark long passes. United’s pressure is the story of the game so far though, but how long will it last?

16 min: City just can’t string any passes together out there. Red shirts swarming all over them whenever they take possession. Another turnover leads to a rapid break but again the chance goes begging. Carrusca this time leaning back and side-footing over the bar from the D.

14 min: Retre becomes the first name taken by Delovski for bringing down the onrushing Carrusca on the left corner of his penalty box. It was a needless challenge but the kind of nervy one you make when a player as tricky as Carrusca is running at you.

Isaias curls the free-kick just over the bar. Chances going begging here for United, will they come to rue them?

12 min: Delovski thinks about booking Kisnorbo after the veteran cleans up Kamau near the right hand side of City’s penalty area. Another dangerous set piece opportunity, but another one wasted, this time Carrusca curling it into Sorensen’s mitts.

A poor clearance from the Dane typifies the opening exchanges though. Malik receives possession under pressure, hassled off the ball but the resulting transition ends limply.

Adelaide bossing this so far.

10 min: First corner of the night goes to Adelaide and it falls to Goodwin on the edge of the box and he larrups a volley just over the bar. Think Paul Scholes v Bradford in the early 2000s. Goodwin involved in a lot here early on.

8 min: Adelaide have settled the better of the two sides and finding more targets with their passing. A good break down the right leads to a decent delivery into the box but City clear. Good signs for the home side.

Mooy makes himself known with a strong sliding challenge on Michael Marrone, perhaps aggrieved at his opponent’s man bun.

6 mins: I wouldn’t call them man marking jobs but Mauk is staying close to Mooy and Caceres is nearby Isaias. Mauk does well to release Goodwin but the fullback’s burst ends with a weak turnover.

4 mins: If this is Delovksi’s final match in the A-League he’s going to be made to work for it. Fouls all over the pitch as the early tempo refuses to relent. Mauk’s already had a talking to.

2 mins: It’s a full blooded start from the outset with bodies flying all over the place, including Kisnorbo taking out Mauk after just 20 seconds. Dangerous free-kick opportunity for Adelaide and Goodwin. And it’s a solid strike from the left-footer, over the wall but straight at Sorensen.

City go straight down the other end and Mooy fashions a chance for Caceres in a central position on the edge of the penalty area but he fires into Galekovic’s gloves.

Lively!

The teams have made their way out onto the pitch to a cacophony of noise. It looks to be a fantastic atmosphere.

So, where do you think this semi final will be won and lost?

I think Melbourne City are the key variable in this equation. Will they look to contain, like they did in round 23, or will they look to take the game to Adelaide, like they did against Perth on Sunday? If they play a game of patience that places a lot of responsibility on Garuccio and Nick Fitzgerald to defend without the ball and attack with precision with it? Do Mooy and Fornaroli have more moments of unstoppable individual brilliance in them?

Adelaide United should be more predictable. Key for them is the amount of time Isaias is able to find on the ball and set the tempo. City don’t have a natural closing midfielder to shut the Spaniard down so it may fall to Anthony Caceres to sacrifice some of his natural creativity for the good of his team. Mauk’s industry will be valuable in midfield and I expect him to go straight to Mooy. He offers plenty in the opposite direction though and his ability to run both ways could shape this game. Adelaide remain a work in progress in front of goal though and City’s centre-half pairing of Alex Wilkinson and Patrick Kisnorbo looks tailor made to combat Bruce Djite. Cirio and Bruce Kamau versus Retre and Clisby on the other hand looks like it could be a profitable route for the Reds.

Don’t forget you can join in and make this an interactive experience by doing a Twitter to @JPHowcroft or by doing an email to jonathan.howcroft.freelance@guardian.co.uk .

Stat Attack - courtesy of FFA:

• This will be the first time these teams have faced each other in a play-off match.
  
• Melbourne City have won three of their last five matches against Adelaide United including two matches in South Australia.
  
• There have been 18 goals scored in the last five matches between these teams with the cumulative score line reading 9-all.
  
• Adelaide have won only three of 17 play-off matches in the Hyundai A-League, the second lowest winning percentage in the play-offs (18%) of any team in the history of the competition (Perth 16%).
  
• Adelaide have won seven and drawn one of their last nine matches on home soil and have conceded only seven goals in the process.
  
• Melbourne City will be looking to win back-to-back play-off matches for the first time in their history and have won two of their four finals fixtures prior to this match.
  

Both Clint Bolton and Grant Brebner described to me during the week how few grounds in Australia generate as much atmosphere from a player’s point of view as Hindmarsh Stadium. It will be full to the brim tonight, largely of partisan locals, and it should provide the perfect backdrop to the biggest game of the season so far.

It should be a dry and chilly night in South Australia with temperatures in the low teens courtesy of a southerly breeze.

Strebre Delovski is your man in the middle in what may prove to be his final match as a professional referee. The experienced arbiter is hanging up his whistle at the end of the season, but he is still a chance to be selected for the grand final.

I’m a big fan of Delovksi’s. He’s made his fair share of high-profile errors, but show me a referee that hasn’t. Unlike most other A-League refs he shows an understanding of the game from a player’s perspective. An intuition that often helps games flow where others may become mired in pernickety fouls and bookings. He talks to players and makes his decisions clear. He deserves a good send off for a job well done.

JP will be along soon to take you through all of the live action but in the meantime, why not check out his preview of this weekend’s A-League semi-finals, which bodes particularly well for Adelaide United fans.