Catch up on the Isuzu UTE A-League Team of the Week, powered by Opta.
The 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final was decided over the weekend after a couple of dramatic semi-final second legs.
Despite having to travel to Coopers Stadium on Friday night it was Auckland FC who triumphed 3-0 (4-1 agg) over Adelaide United to earn hosting rights of the 2026 Grand Final.
They’ll now welcome Sydney FC to Go Media Stadium after the Sky Blues upset the odds, defeat Premiers Newcastle Jets 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling game at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Following that thrilling penalty shootout in the Hunter it’s Sydney FC goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares who top scored, and not for the first time this season!
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Playing in front of Devenish-Meares are Sydney FC teammates Alexandar Popovic and skipper Rhyan Grant, whilst Auckland FC goalscorer Jake Girdwood-Reich and the ever-impressive Daniel Wilmering of the Newcastle Jets complete the back four.
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Auckland FC ace Louis Verstraete anchors the midfield after his solid display against Adelaide United and he’s flanked by Sydney FC’s attacking midfield duo of Tiago Quintal and Piero Quispe.
Meanwhile in attack Auckland top scorer and Golden Boot winner Sam Cosgrove leads the line alongside teammate Jesse Randall and Newcastle Jets young star Eli Adams, who bagged an incredible late equaliser against Sydney FC to send the game into extra time.
Team of the Week
Opta Points is a system where points are given to players for certain on-field actions. Players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points. (View the full breakdown of Opta Points below).
Explained: Opta’s Team of the Week using Opta Points
The scoring system distinguishes only between field players and goalkeepers, assigning the same number of points to all field players for corresponding actions. A distinctive feature of this system is its exclusive focus on in-game actions, refraining from awarding points for post-game performances, such as securing a victory or allocating bonus points for maintaining a clean sheet.
Positive actions (goals, passes, tackles, etc…) will add to a player’s score and, conversely, negative actions (cards, own goals, goals conceded) will reduce a player’s points total. Theoretically, a player’s points value is unlimited, and players can conclude a game with negative points. However, players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points.
Goals, Shots on target, shots off target, blocked shots, own goal, assists, passes, crosses, tackles, interceptions, fouls won, fouls conceded, offsides, yellow cards, red cards, goals conceded, penalty won, saves, penalty saved are included in Opta Points.
