It’s Finals Series time in the Isuzu UTE A-League and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of the two Elimination Finals this weekend.
Read on for a game-by-game preview ahead of both knockout fixtures.
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Western United v Adelaide United
Friday, May 9 – Ironbark Fields – 7:35pm AEDT
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It’s the battle of the two Uniteds this week in the first Elimination Final of the Isuzu UTE A-League Finals Series as Ironbark Fields prepares to host a men’s finals match for the very first time.
In the Green and Black corner are John Aloisi’s high-flying Western who head into the clash off the back of successive home wins over Sydney FC and Premiers Auckland FC respectively.
Aloisi will no doubt be drawing on their Championship success of the 2021-22 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign where they also finished the regular season in third place.
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A big selection issue for Aloisi this week will be the fitness of striker Hiroshi Ibusuki, who was named in the extended squad for last week’s game with Auckland FC but ultimately not risked with finals approaching.
As for Adelaide United, head coach Carl Veart may well have thought he’d managed his last game at the club as Sydney FC held all the cards when it came to securing the last remaining spot in the finals.
However, back-to-back defeats for the Sky Blues meant Adelaide clung onto sixth spot and will now head to Ironbark Fields feeling as though they have nothing to lose in what could now be Veart’s last game in charge before he departs.
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One big issue for the Adelaide boss though, is the fact he’ll be without joint-Golden Boot winner Archie Goodwin due to injury.
The 20-year-old suffered a hamstring tear during the Reds’ crucial goalless draw with Melbourne City on the penultimate weekend of the season, with the 13-goal striker now out until the latter stages of the finals should they get there.
As a result, young striker Luka Jovanovic is now almost certain to lead the line against a Western side which finished the season with the fourth-best defence in the competition.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory
Saturday, May 10 – CommBank Stadium – 7:35pm AEDT
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Fourth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers host fifth-placed Melbourne Victory in a hotly anticipated Elimination Final at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.
With 10 goals scored in the last two meetings between these sides it has all the hallmarks of a classic finals encounter and there’s no doubt the Wanderers are the form team heading into the game.
Currently on a 12-game unbeaten run, Alen Stajcic’s side capped off the regular season with an impressive 3-1 win away at local rivals Macarthur Bulls and with the likes of Nicolas Milanolvic, Brandon Borrello, Zac Sapsford and Bozhidar Kraev all firing in attack, it’s no surprise they also ended the season as the top scoring side in the competition.
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Standing in their way is a Melbourne Victory side ready to right the wrongs of their last visit to Western Sydney.
Goals from Nishan Velupillay and Reno Piscopo had Victory leading 2-0 at CommBank Stadium back in March before they conceded four without reply, however head coach Arthur Diles will no doubt take confidence from the fact they were able to carve open the Wanderers.
Historically, Victory have only won two of the last 10 meetings between the two sides however their last win at CommBank Stadium came in December 2023 when veteran striker Bruno Fornaroli scored four goals in a stunning 4-3 win for the visitors.
