Melbourne Victory star James Troisi says the race for the Premiership trophy is over, and is now looking to upset Sydney FC in the grand final after the Sky Blues won their third Big Blue of the season on Friday night.
League leaders Sydney FC all but wrapped up the Premiership by moving 11 points clear at the top with five games to go after defeating second-placed Victory 1-0.
And with a clean sheet and a clean sweep of the Big Blue this season, the Sky Blues are now all but assured of the Premiership trophy after Bobo swept home a second-half winner at a rainy Allianz.
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“We’re not catching them,” Troisi told Fox Sports when asked if the race for the Premiership was still alive.
“They [Sydney] deserve to be where they are and that many points in front.
“Every time we’ve played them [this season] we say we could’ve won and I think we could’ve tonight.
“But that’s the difference. That’s why they’re champions – or that’s why they’re top of the league.
“When you create the number of chances and not put the ball in the back of the net, that’s what you deserve,” he said of Victory.
“And we’ll see them [Sydney] in the [grand] final. Anything can happen in the final.”
Victory had two or three golden chances to score with Besart Berisha in particular missing a sitter from right in front in the second half.
“Obviously very disappointing not taking our chances because we create so many,” added Troisi.
And the fact that the Big V created chances, and haven’t been beaten easily by Sydney this season, gives Troisi some hope of a grand final upset.
“For me, a final’s a final and anything can happen. Adelaide United could beat Sydney FC in a final.
“We’ll keep working hard,” added the Caltex Socceroo, who is in line for a national team recall later this month.
“And keep trying to play the way we play.”
