A-League 2021 Finals Series Launched

AFTER 23 weeks and 156 games, it’s time to get down to business.

The A-League 2021 Finals Series kicks off this week, five games to crown the champions and give the stage to some of Australia’s brightest young football talent.

After a home-and-away season dubbed by many experts as the best for years, the spotlight narrows to a pair of Elimination Finals this weekend, then two Semi Finals, before the A-League 2021 Grand Final on Saturday 26 June.

With the highest number of young players featuring in A-League history, this year’s Finals Series presents a glorious opportunity for young Australian players to make a name for themselves and become heroes.

Former domestic football stars, Olyroos and Socceroos John Markovski, Paul Wade, Mark Bosnich, Jade North and Ross Aloisi helped launch the A-League 2021 Finals Series across Australia, along with the six competing clubs Melbourne City FC, Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners, Brisbane Roar FC, Adelaide United and Macarthur FC.

The international stage beckons for those who seize the moment, for the Olyroos squad to play at the Tokyo Olympics – likely to have a strong proportion of A-League players – which will be named in late June.

“There have been so many hurdles we have had to get past in these pandemic-affected times. But the quality of the football, the levels of excitement and the number of players who have burst on to the scene this season have been unbelievable, and I have loved seeing players and fans giving their all at every stadium in the league over the past few months,” A-League Commissioner Greg O’Rourke said.

“I can’t tell you who the winner will be, but I can guarantee you that whichever team emerges on top by the end of the Grand Final will have fought every step of the way and be a deserving champion.”

Already this season the emergence of new talent has provided Socceroos and Olyroos coach Graham Arnold and Australia’s youth national team coaches with far more depth, ahead of key international fixtures and tournaments including the Tokyo Olympics in July, a huge amount of FIFA World Cup qualifiers over the next 15 months and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

This is the closest the domestic Finals Series (in either the NSL or the A-League) have fallen before the Olympics. This season has seen more than 100 Olyroos-eligible players make at least five A-League appearances, and 88 have played 10 games or more. 

“It’s great to see so many young players getting opportunities this season, and finals is a chance for them to step up and make a name for themselves,” said Markovski, who made his NSL debut age 15 and launched the finals alongside City pair Andrew Nabbout and Tom Glover.

From a club point of view there have been some incredible stories develop since the start of the season, with the Mariners back in the finals for the first time in seven years, hosting an Elimination Final against Macarthur FC – a team making its debut in the A-League this season.

Brisbane Roar FC will take on Adelaide United in the second Elimination Final, with the winners of the two games going through to face Premiers Melbourne City FC and defending champions Sydney FC in the Semi Finals.

The A-League 2021 Finals Series will be broadcast live on FOX SPORTS, Kayo and My Football Live with delayed coverage on ABC TV.

For all ticketing information, please visit www.a-league.com.au/tickets

A-League 2021 Finals Series – Match Details

Note: Fixtures are subject to change. Please check www.a-league.com.au/fixtures for latest updates