Week Two of the Liberty A-League Finals Series is upon us, with Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory set to battle it out for a spot in the Grand Final. KEEPUP provides a lowdown on everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s Preliminary Final.
Who will meet Western United in the Liberty A-League Grand Final? The last spot in this season’s title decider goes on the line this Saturday, when premiers Sydney FC play host to reigning champions Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium.
Sydney will have to go the long way in order to return to the decider, after falling to Western on Sunday evening, while Victory booked their Preliminary Final berth in a dramatic penalty shoot-out win against Melbourne City.
A win for Victory will take them one step closer to a Championship three-peat, something achieved only once before in the league’s history (Melbourne City 2016-18).
In a rematch of the last two deciders, two of the league’s most successful sides will lock horns in what’s set to be a blockbuster in the Harbour City.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this Saturday’s Preliminary Final.
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PRELIMINARY FINAL PREVIEW
Sydney FC
The Sky Blues come into the Preliminary Final off the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Western United in the Semi Final on Sunday evening.
Sydney had the lion’s share of the chances and possession but were unable to break down a resilient Western defence, meaning they will have to go the long way to return to the Grand Final.
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All eyes will be on gun attacker Cortnee Vine, after she played through a calf injury in their loss to Western. Vine managed to play 68 minutes before being substituted for Rola Badawiya, and was later spotted with ice on her calf.
There’s a little more riding on this contest given Victory have had Sydney’s number as of late in finals matchups, having won the last two Grand Finals against the Sky Blues in 2021 and 2022.
Melbourne Victory
Is it happening again?
Melbourne Victory are closing in like the Liberty A-League grim reaper, after they booked their position in the Preliminary Final in a penalty shootout win over their arch rivals Melbourne City.
And just like last season, they’re looking to make a push for the Championship from fourth.
AYRES: The message to Victory’s hat-trick hero that inspired her incredible second-half showing
Now, the focus turns to the Sky Blues, who are one of two teams to beat Victory this season and the only team to do so twice.
In fact, they are the last team to beat Victory this season – a result that came all the way back in late January.
DUMONT: The surprise shoot-out move Victory ‘practised all week’ to unleash Semi Final hero
This time around they will have star keeper Casey Dumont at their disposal, after she missed the last meeting.
Jeff Hopkins, however, faces a selection dilemma in midfield after Amy Jackson was sent off in extra time. Elise Kellond-Knight is still missing due to injury, while Paige Zois is a chance to return.
If Zois doesn’t return, they may need to get creative, as they had no recognised midfielders on the bench last weekend – with Rosie Curtis brought on late to shore things up.
Sydney will, however, have their hands full with Melina Ayres, who comes into this contest in incredible form having scored a hat-trick last weekend and five goals in her last four finals combined.
HEAD TO HEAD
Melbourne Victory 3-6 Sydney FC – January 26 2023
Sydney FC completed the double over Victory with an emphatic win on Melbourne Victory’s home deck.
The Sky Blues raced out to a 3-0 lead inside the opening 36 minutes before goals from Rikke Madsen and Lia Privitelli brought Victory right back into the contest.
However, from there it was completely one way traffic as Sydney scored three unanswered goals to wrap up the big win.
Princess Ibini scored hat-trick, while Cortnee Vine had two assists and a goal. Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Miranda Templeman incredibly came from the bench to save two penalties as well.
Sydney FC 2-0 Melbourne Victory – November 26 2022
Sydney enacted some early season Grand Final revenge on Victory with a dominant 2-0 win at Cromer Park.
Victory’s afternoon got off to a difficult start when Catherine Zimmerman suffered a serious knee injury early in the contest.
The Sky Blues then got going on the scoresheet, with Madison Haley firing home the opener before Kayla Morrison scored an own-goal on the brink of half-time to open a two-goal cushion before the break.
WHERE DO I BUY TICKETS?
Tickets for the Preliminary Final went on sale on Tuesday April 18 at 11 AM (AEST) via Ticketek, starting at $20 for adults, $16 for concession, $10 for juniors and $50 for family passes.
Sydney FC A-League Women Members get free access, while Liberty A-League Pass holders get 10% off with code: LIBERTY PASS.
Public Transport access is also included in all tickets.
Tickets for the Liberty A-League Grand Final went on sale in February and are available via Ticketek. All Liberty A-League Pass holders will also be able to attend the Grand Final.
The Liberty A-League Pass was a new initiative for the 2023 season designed to give under-16 football participants the opportunity to attend Liberty A-League games for FREE at their local club.
SIGN UP FOR THE LIBERTY A-LEAGUE PASS
HOW DO I WATCH THE FINALS?
The Liberty A-League Finals Series will be streamed exclusively on 10 Play and Paramount+, with the Grand Final also broadcast on 10 Bold.
FINALS FIXTURES
WEEK TWO
Preliminary Final: Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Date: Saturday, April 22
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Kick-off: 3.00pm (AEST)
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WEEK THREE
Grand Final: Western United v Winner of Preliminary Final
Date: Sunday, April 30
Venue: CommBank Stadium
Kick-off: 4.00pm (AEST)
