It all comes down to this. An attritional Hyundai A-League season has seen eight teams eliminated from contention and two overcome all of the hurdles in their path.
Perth Glory and Sydney FC have battled through 26 Hyundai A-League regular season games, fended off challenges from their fiercest rivals and triumphed in winner-takes-all Semi Final clashes.
All there is left is to do battle for the ultimate prize. On Sunday 19 May 2019, history will be written, legends will bow out, heroes will be immortalised and champions will be crowned.
PREVIEW: Everything you need to know ahead of the Glory v Sydney Grand Final
LIVE BLOG: The biggest stories of Hyundai A-League 2019 Grand Final week
GLORY’S MUST-DOs: The four keys to Perth’s hopes of securing their first Hyundai A-League Championship
SYDNEY FC’S KEYS: The four things the Sky Blues have to do to win Sunday’s decider
The coaches
In one corner, Tony Popovic. Already an icon of one Hyundai A-League club, having led the Western Sydney Wanderers to become Australia’s only AFC Champions League winners, not to mention a Premiers Plate in 2012/13.
Three times he led Wanderers to the big dance. In 2013 against Central Coast, in 2014 against Brisbane and in 2016 against Adelaide. Three times he walked away empty handed.
In the other corner, Steve Corica. A Sydney FC hero in his own right, having scored the winning goal in the inaugural A-League Grand Final in 2006.
A rookie head coach but certainly not lacking in experience. He stood alongside current Caltex Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold as his assistant while the Sky Blues dominated the past two campaigns, clinching two Premiers Plates and the 2017 Championship.
One of these men will lead their club to silverware in their first season in the hot seat.
Head to head
If history is indicative, there is only one team in this Grand Final. The record books heavily weigh in one direction, but is that something which could serve as motivation at Optus Stadium?
Hyundai A-League record
Matches: 43, Perth Glory wins: 9, Sydney FC wins: 25, draws: 9
In Perth
Matches: 22, Perth Glory wins: 5, Sydney FC wins: 11, draws: 6
READ MORE: Best of enemies: Popovic v Corica
GRANT v IKONOMIDIS: The Caltex Socceroos battle that could decide the Championship
ALEX WILKINSON: Win would be ‘perfect send of for Mr Sydney’ Alex Brosque
EVANS’ ROUTINE: Preparation, pasta and a post-match beer: Matchday Grand Final with the GF ref
Form
Three times they have met this season, twice Sydney FC have come out on top. The only other game Glory lost at home was 2-0 against Melbourne Victory in Round 23.
21/12/18 – Perth Glory 1-2 Sydney FC, HBF Park
09/01/19 – Perth Glory 3-1 Sydney FC, HBF Park
18/04/19 – Sydney FC 1-0 Perth Glory, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Perth Glory at home in 2018/19 – played: 15, won: 10, drawn: 3, lost: 2
Sydney FC away in 2018/19 – played: 14, won: 7, drawn: 3, lost: 4
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History
Perth Glory
Finals Series: 12 – 6 National Soccer League, 6 Hyundai A-League
Grand Finals: 6 – 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 in NSL, 2012, 2019 in HAL
Grand Final wins: 2 – 2003, 2004
Players with most finals games: Liam Reddy 22, Ivan Franjic 13, Dino Djulbic, Scott Neville 8
Players with most Grand Finals games: Ivan Franjic 3, Scott Neville, Brendon Santalab 2
Players with most Championships: Ivan Franjic 3
Coach finals record: Tony Popovic – games: 8, wins: 3, draws 2, losses 3
Sydney FC
Finals Series: 10 – all Hyundai A-League
Grand Finals: 5 – 2006, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2019
Grand Final wins: 3 – 2006, 2010, 2015
Players with most finals games: Alex Wilkinson 29, Alex Brosque 16, Michael Zullo 11
Players with most Grand Finals games: Alex Wilkinson 4, Alex Brosque 3, Rhyan Grant 2
Players with most Championships: Alex Brosque 2
Coach finals record: Steve Corica – games: 1, wins: 1