Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque believes the away teams will prevail in this weekend’s two Hyundai A-League semi finals, thereby setting up a fourth Orange Sunday grand final in Brisbane.
Two blockbusters await as Adelaide United host Melbourne City tonight (Friday) then Wanderers meet Brisbane Roar at Wanderland on Sunday afternoon.
The respective winners progress to the season finale on May 1.
And statistically the home side usually prevail in the Hyundai A-League finals, given they have a week off and play in front of a full house of their own fans riding the emotion of finals fever.
However, Brosque, 32, who’s played in two grand finals, fancies a reversal in those traditional fortunes this weekend.
“Melbourne City having gone to Adelaide and beat them at a time when both were still in contention for the Premiership is a big factor,” Brosque told www.a-league.com.au.
Preview: Hyundai A-League Semi Final: Reds v City
“And in particular Melbourne City’s last game, the way they played with Fornaroli bagging a double.
“Obviously you can’t count out Adelaide after what they did this season, it’s been an incredible year for them, but in my opinion Melbourne City might be too good.”
And for Sunday’s semi at Wanderland, Brosque believes momentum and mentality will play a big part.
“I’m going with the away team on Sunday only because, look, I don’t think you can say the week off harms teams but I just feel off the back of the Elimination Final and the fact they have a good record at Wanderland,” said the former Caltex Socceroo striker.
Preview: Hyundai A-League semi final: Wanderers v Roar
“Winning a game like that [last week] when they were gone for all money after 87 minutes when Berisha scored then they did what they’ve done so many times before.
“So it’s possibly an advantage over a team that has a week off. Possibly.”
Brisbane hosted an unforgettable grand final in 2011 against Central Coast, winning in a shootout, in what was known as “Orange Sunday”.
They hosted twice again – in 2012 versus Glory and 2014 against Wanderers, winning both.
Now Orange Sunday 4 looms, according to Brosque, who lead the line for Brisbane in season one when they were known as Queensland Roar.
“They [Roar] will take form and that energy that comes from a win like that and the knowledge that they’ve done so well at Wanderland before.
“These combined are the reasons why I think Brisbane will prevail.”
