Matchups for Week One of the Liberty A-League finals series has been locked in after Melbourne City’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Canberra United.
City and Melbourne Victory were the last two teams to book their place inside the top four, after Dario Vidosic’s side hung on to a point against a fast-finishing Canberra United at AAMI Park – who miss the finals on goal difference.
Victory and Canberra both finished on 29 points, but the former had a goal difference of +9 compared to the latter’s +7.
“Canberra fall agonisingly short at the end of the home and away season. It’ll be celebrations in the lounge rooms of Melbourne Victory fans and agony in the capital territory as Canberra miss out on the finals on goal difference,” Paramount + commentator Teo Pellizzeri said.
“What an end to the home and away season!… I don’t think either team is happy. Melbourne City’s not happy because they didn’t win. Canberra’s not happy that they missed out on finals. Melbourne Victory’s not happy that this took years off their life!”
As a result, City will face their cross-town rivals and reigning champions Victory in an elimination semi-final, while Sydney FC host Western United in the other semi – with the winner to book a place in the Grand Final.
Both matches will be played in two weeks time (weekend of April 15-16) at the completion of the international break.
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Going into the contest, City just needed a point to lock in their top four spot, while Canberra needed a win to knock Victory out of the top four – following their 2-2 draw with Wellington Phoenix on Saturday.
City shout out of the blocks with goals from Hannah Wilkinson and Rhianna Pollicina – either side of a Grace Jale equaliser – gave them a 2-1 lead before half-time.
Holly McNamara had seemingly wrapped up the win when she made it 3-1, but a Vesna Milivojevic double in the final ten minutes set up a grandstand finish.
In the end, City held firm, sealing third spot and meaning Canberra fell just short of a finals berth despite ending the season with an eight-game unbeaten run.
Incredibly, Canberra had a whopping 27 shots to 15 – but were just unable to breach City’s goal one more time – which would have secured their spot inside the four.
Earlier in the weekend, Sydney FC wrapped up a third consecutive premiership and top spot on the standings with a 4-0 win over Newcastle Jets. Meanwhile, Western United fell just a point short of the Premier’s Plate in their first season in the competition – after defeating Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Ticketing and fixture details for the semi-finals will be confirmed early this week.
WEEK ONE FINALS SERIES MATCHUPS
Semi Final One: Sydney FC vs Western United
Semi Final Two: Melbourne City vs Melbourne Victory
WEEK TWO
Preliminary Final: Loser of Semi Final One vs Winner of Semi Final Two
WEEK THREE
Grand Final: Winner of Semi Final One vs Winner of Preliminary Final
