Brisbane’s rope-a-dope
After winning the championship last season Brisbane Roar started this season like a house on fire. That is, what with Besart Berisha leaving without turning the stove off, they were burning to the ground while all us bystanders could only look on, hands on heads, mouths agape.
But then, controversially, Mike Mulvey was replaced by interim coach Frans Thijssen. A recovery of sorts took place and there were times in the second half of the season when Brisbane bore some resemblance to the team that has dominated the A-League in recent years. Still, without Perth Glory’s old-school accountancy, the team that won 10 and lost 13 this season would now be somewhere like Las Vegas, waking up in a hotel room with facial tattoos, missing teeth and a white tiger in the bathroom wondering what the hell happened the night before.
But here they are in the finals with a decent run of form behind them, an encouraging blend of wise heads and gung-ho ‘youf’, and a big game temperament to keep their hands steady. As Thomas Broich said this week, “What happened this season doesn’t matter anymore.” It is not inconceivable —though it would be remarkable— that Brisbane could win the thing. Some story that would be.
Now or never for Adelaide
Adelaide United fans who’ve been concentrating will know it pays to be cautious. Last week’s 4-1 victory over Melbourne City featured Adelaide close to their shiny best and at such times Josep Gombau’s team have the look of serious title challengers.
But all season they’ve failed to sustain hot form; famines (or at least two-minute noodles) have followed feasts all too quickly. Historically, too, Adelaide haven’t consummated their promise when it comes to the A-League. Just four finals wins from 19 games and no championship.
Certainly in terms of personnel they’ve got a team capable of winning the championship this season though there has always been the concern that they don’t turn their high possession game into enough goals, making them vulnerable to the sucker punch. Can they take their chances now when it really counts?
Adelaide’s opponent for Friday night’s sudden-death final will be Brisbane, who will go into the game with a confidence borne of good recent performances at home and in Asia. And playing in Adelaide hardly poses a problem for them, the Roar having won there the past six times they’ve visited (though not at Adelaide Oval where they’ll play on Friday).
Brisbane will be further reassured by the return to A-League action of Thomas Broich, Matt McKay, Luke Brattan and James Donachie who have all missed Brisbane’s past two A-League matches in order to rest for the Champions League.
On the flip side the Roar will be without key defenders Jade North, Luke DeVere and Shane Stefanutto. That leaves the likes of Jerome Polenz, Corey Brown, young Daniel Bowles and Donachie to stem the red tide.
For their part Adelaide will miss the muscle of the injured Bruce Djite but, showing the perfect timing of an action hero, playmaker Marcelo Carrusca returns to action for the first time in a month. Though he may be underdone, that’s a huge boost for Adelaide who rely on him the way a watch relies on a mainspring (or an Apple watch relies on being plugged in every night). Similarly pleasing for the Reds is the return to action of Nigel Boogaard, Isaias and Awer Mabil.
Adelaide, just.
How Wellington handle the favourites tag
With just one win in their last five regular season fixtures Wellington Phoenix have hardly entered the finals like marauding Hun pouring through the village gates but there’s no taking away from them (not yet at least) what has been a very successful season.
From second last and 10 points shy of finals last season Ernie Merrick’s team have played a fast-paced and positive brand of football and that’s been rewarded. They’ve beaten each of the other finalists this season (including themselves at times) and, quite recently, they were challenging for the Premier’s Plate.
As a result this will be the club’s first finals appearance since 2011-12. Yet, as good as that is, to drop out in the first week of finals, at home, to a weaker Melbourne City, would be a massive anti-climax and, given the balance of the season, an underachievement.
That’s a burden the Phoenix will carry into Sunday’s game, one Melbourne City won’t have to deal with. “Don’t let the opportunity slip by,” midfielder Michael McGlinchey said this week; “[We need to] try and enjoy it.”
Easier said than done.
City’s fresh slate
When six of 10 teams make the finals, mediocrity is rewarded. Both Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar, for example, lost more regular season games than they won and, looking at the numbers, there is a vast gap between them in fifth and sixth and the top four.
Yet finals football is like a mini-cup competition and Melbourne City, playing finals football for just the second time in their history (as City/Heart), have a fighter’s chance of making the semifinals. For that to happen, however, they will have to both contain Phoenix’s free-flowing football (best that City strap an anvil —or Erik Paartalu— to Roly Bonevacia’s back) and find the net themselves.
It’s here Phoenix have the obvious advantage. Whichever way you look at it, Nathan Burns, Roy Krishna, Michael McGlinchey and Bonevacia pose considerably greater threat than anyone Melbourne can muster.
It’s telling that City’s highest goalscorer this season is midfielder Aaron Mooy (with seven) who, like Bonevacia, will be the subject of much attention from the opposition. In fact, City’s only out-and-out striker appears to be relative newcomer Harry Novillo who’s scored two goals in his eight games (six starts). Where’s David Villa when you need him?
Too late to request he come back and play those extra games? What if City were to throw in a nice meal at Movida? In short, if Wellington can boss the midfield they’ve the guns to win the battle.
An eye to next week
While four teams lock horns this weekend premiers Melbourne Victory and runners-up Sydney FC are sitting back on banana chairs drinking protein shakes out of long straws and awaiting the winners, whilst hoping for extra-time in both games.
Remembering that the final finishing order was (Victory, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Wellington, City, Brisbane), Victory will play the lowest ranker winner at AAMI Park (unless it’s City —then there will be an enticing derby at Etihad), while Sydney will play the highest ranked winner at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Should Brisbane beat Adelaide, they will have to play Victory after playing their final ACL group match, against Uruwa Red Diamonds, at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast on Tuesday night.
Fixtures
Elimination finals:
Adelaide United vs Brisbane Roar, Cooper’s Stadium, Adelaide, Friday, 7.30pm
Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne City, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, Sunday, 8pm (5pm AEST)
