Melbourne City defender Taylor Otto admits this weekend’s Ninja A-League decider against Wellington Phoenix has all the hallmarks of being a classic Grand Final matchup.
Reigning Premiers City booked their spot in the showpiece event care of a comprehensive 2-0 aggregate win over Melbourne Victory whilst Wellington swept Brisbane Roar aside to set up the mouthwatering match up.
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Otto and Co defeated the Phoenix both home and away during the regular Ninja A-League season but the City defender believes Bev Priestman’s side will pose a different threat come the Grand Final on Saturday at AAMI Park.
“I think we were happy with whatever team that we were going to come up against,” said Otto when speaking at a press conference on Tuesday morning.
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“I think that our main objective was to get to the Grand Final, regardless of who we’re playing.
“Wellington is a great team and they’ve been a great team all season, and one of the hardest games we’ve played. So yeah, I think they deserve to be there and it’ll be a great game.
On the Phoenix’s style, she added: “I think they press pretty well and they show us a different picture than a lot of other teams, and they’re threatening in the attack and have a good defence so I think they’re solid all around.
“But yeah, I think it’s a great game. We both like to play. We both like to challenge each other in different ways. So yeah, I think it’ll be good.”
Reaching the Grand Final represents another chance for this Melbourne City side to finally complete the double, having won the Premiers Plate the last two seasons but failed to clinch the Championship.
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“I think it was really a great feeling for all of us (to reach the Grand Final),” said Otto. “I know last year was a tough one for us to swallow, especially after the season we had.
“So that was a big accomplishment that we wanted to make sure that we followed through with this year.
“Every week we were happy with what we did in the week before, and we we turn to the next and make sure that we fine tune all the little things that we need to to make sure that we’re ready for the next game ahead.”
