A sensational late winner and a polished performance from a maturing team made for a fascinating first week of the Hyundai A-League Finals Series.
Here’s what you may have missed from the two Elimination Finals.
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Melbourne City 2-0 Brisbane Roar
Melbourne City proved simply too good for Brisbane Roar on Friday night despite being made to wait for a 2-0 win that puts them into the Semi Finals.
Stefan Mauk and substitute Nick Fitzgerald scored second-half goals that deservedly booked a trip to face Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium.
City were in control for much of the contest, although they had to wait until the 59th minute for Mauk to break the deadlock with his third in as many games against Brisbane, the midfielder turning home Bruno Fornaroli’s pass.
And, despite the odd nervy moment, Warren Joyce’s men confirmed their progression when Nick Fitzgerald headed in a wonderful Dario Vidosic cross in stoppage time.
They are now just one win away from a maiden Grand Final berth.
WRAP: Melbourne City muscle past Brisbane Roar to secure Semi Final spot
Melbourne Victory 2-1 Adelaide United
Sunday night was all about Besart Berisha as his unbelievable 89th-minute bicycle kick secured Melbourne Victory a dramatic 2-1 win over Adelaide United.
The Reds, who battled hard from start to finish, silence the home support when Nikola Mileusnic raced onto Isaias’ free-kick in the 57th minute and kept his cool.
But parity was restored just six minutes later, Leroy George rising well and nodding in the first of Kosta Barbarouses’ two assists.
That set the stage for Berisha to steal the headlines in the most extraordinary fashion.
Just as both teams were bracing for extra-time, the lethal striker anticipated Barbarouses’ delivery from the right and lashed in a stunning overhead finish to complete Victory’s comeback.
The fitting winner booked them a blockbuster date with Big Blue rivals Sydney FC in what should be a pulsating encounter at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
WRAP: Berisha’s last-minute stunner sinks Adelaide as Victory book Semi Final berth
