The final round of the Hyundai A-League has media and fans abuzz ahead of the most intriguing final round of the league in history.
The final round of the Hyundai A-League has media and fans abuzz ahead of the most intriguing final round of the league in history.
Spots in the finals are up for grabs including the coveted second spot, with a complex array of permutations depending on results starting tonight through to Sunday.
Only the newly crowned Premiers Brisbane know they-ll have next week off as the finals swing into action.
Hyundai A-League boss Damien De Bohun described planning for the finals as being one of the toughest challenges in his career.
‘I know the competition has seen incredible finishes before, but maybe nothing quite so complicated as this season-s finals scenario,” he wrote.
‘Six clubs are chasing five finals spots. It-s so tight and volatile that Sydney FC could finish as high as second or miss out on the finals altogether.
‘Five clubs are still in the hunt for a passage direct to a semi final and a week-s rest.
‘Trying to predict the match-ups for the three weeks of Hyundai A-League Finals Series is football-s version of the Rubik-s Cube.-
What-s more, the Golden Boot may yet have another twist in its tail though the Jets- Adam Taggart is almost assured of the title three goals clear of Heart-s David Williams.
And adding to the drama is the possible final game in a Sydney shirt of Alessandro Del Piero, while Heart bid farewell to the great Harry Kewell.
Perth-s Jacob Burns is also retiring after this weekend-s game as is Terry McFlynn at the Sky Blues and Michael Bridges for the Jets. Even Emile Heskey may-ve played his last game in the A-League for Newcastle.
There-s also a battle for the wooden spoon between Heart, Phoenix and Glory.
Adelaide United captain Eugene Galekovic has seen it all before and says the drama is great for the game.
“It-s so close,” he told AAP. “From second to sixth even seventh can still make it.
“I think it-s great for the supporters and great for the A-League that it comes down to this last round.”
Jets captain Ruben Zadkovich said the emotion of tonight-s clash with the Reds and the potential for a return to finals football makes this clash something special for the side sitting in seventh.
“The finals are something you want to be doing, playing with great players like that who have played in massive games in their careers,” he told the Newcastle Herald.
“It-s about taking it with both hands.”
Taggart added: “We-ve got nothing to lose. We need to go out firing from the start to not only get a result but get the biggest result we can in terms of goal difference.”
Meanwhile the Townsville Bulletin’s headline “Top six mix up in the air” summed up the drama as we head into the final round of the Hyundai A-League.
Head to our Finals Predictor to see what the make-up of the top six will look like based on what you think the results will be this weekend.
Click here to purchase tickets for all Round 27 fixtures.
