And then there were four. We have reached the semi-final stage of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Season, and the equation is quite simple.
Win and move on to the Grand Final showpiece; lose and it’s time to pack away the boots and go on holiday.
After enjoying last weekend with their feet up, premiers Perth Glory and Sydney FC now enter the fray to take on Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory respectively.
WATCH: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
HEROIC MOMENTS: Selfless strikers place Victory and Adelaide in semis
Glory welcome the Reds to HBF Park on Friday night, while it’s a Big Blue between the Sky Blues and Victory on Sunday evening.
They should be two more cracking clashes and here’s how you can keep on top of all the action.
Perth Glory v Adelaide United
Friday, 8.30pm (AEST)
The Reds arrive in the semi after surviving 120 minutes and a huge scare against Melbourne City on Sunday, prevailing 1-0 after extra-time.
It was a typical finals encounter, with plenty of physical and mental energy required to get over the line, which Adelaide did thanks to Ben Halloran’s 119th-minute strike.
Just how much that clash took out of them – and how quickly Marco Kurz’s side can recover – could determine the Reds’ hopes at HBF Park on Friday night.
Adelaide not only have to overcome a Glory side that will be fresh and rested after enjoying last weekend off, they will also need to find away to breach Perth’s stingy defence.
HE’S A KEEPER: Izzo thrilled to deliver when Reds need him most
VOTE: For your NAB Young Footballer of the Year
It’s something the Reds have not been able to do in the three previous meetings this season.
Glory have won two of the three clashes between the two clubs – both 2-0 and at Coopers Stadium – while the Round 15 clash at HBF Park ended goalless.
But Tony Popovic’s men are rarely kept scoreless in front of their home fans and with the likes of Diego Castro, Andy Keogh and Chris Ikonomidis in scintillating touch, you would expect them to put the weary Reds under plenty of pressure.
How to watch: All Hyundai A-League 2019 Finals Series matches will be broadcast live on FOX SPORTS, 10 Bold, Sky Sport NZ and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers. You can also subscribe to Kayo Sports.
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Sunday, 7.00pm (AEST)
Another huge Finals Series clash: another meeting of the two fierce Big Blue rivals.
This is the third straight year the Sky Blues and Victory will square-off in a finals match and just like the last two it’s almost impossible to pick.
Victory maintained their phenomenal finals record on home soil with a clinical 3-1 win over a courageous Wellington Phoenix on Friday night.
Kevin Muscat’s men relied on the experience and class of their big-name stars – most notably Ola Toivonen, Keisuke Honda and Kosta Barbarouses – to get the job done at AAMI Park.
But you get the sense they’ll need to go up another gear to get past the Sky Blues on their home patch.
ACL PREVIEW: Contrasting approaches for Sydney FC and Victory ahead of Big Blue semi
WIN: A signed Keisuke Honda jersey
While Sydney FC had the luxury of no game last weekend, they have to contend with a must-win AFC Champions League clash in Korea on Tuesday night before turning their focus to the semi-final.
Victory are also involved in a midweek ACL game in Korea, but with their hopes of progression already over, Muscat has left the majority of his starting XI at home in Melbourne.
Just what toll the ACL fixtures will take on both side remains to be seen, but you can be sure of one thing, there’ll be plenty of passion and feeling in Kogarah on Sunday night.
How to watch: All Hyundai A-League 2019 Finals Series matches will be broadcast live on FOX SPORTS, 10 Bold, Sky Sport NZ and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers. You can also subscribe to Kayo Sports.
