There was no shortage of class on show during the Hyundai A-League Elimination Finals.
With desperation defending of the highest order on show in Adelaide and a masterclass of finishing exhibited in Melbourne, there were plenty of strong performances across the four clubs involved.
Opta data have declared their pick of the bunch.
LIVE BLOG: All the latest on the Hyundai A-League Semi-Finals
HOW TO WATCH: Both of this weekend’s do-or-die Hyundai A-League Semi-Finals
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STATS REVIEW: Victory change approach to punish Phoenix
Adelaide United – Ben Halloran
Just when Sunday’s Elimination Final with Melbourne City appeared destined for penalties, Adelaide winger Ben Halloran had other ideas.
Halloran composed himself superbly in the 119th minute to tuck the ball past City goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic at the near post after a great piece of hold up by Reds frontman Baba Diawara.
The former Gold Coast United and Brisbane Roar speedster was pretty handy throughout too, contesting a joint round-high 26 duels and making 36 pass attempts.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6033098910001
Melbourne City – Harrison Delbridge
There are few players capable of ousting Melbourne City’s Harrison Delbridge in the physical battle, as Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Adelaide proved.
Delbridge won a huge 15 of the 16 duels he contested and made nine clearances on the night – including a sensational sliding block to deny Adelaide’s Craig Goodwin.
Had he been a fraction quicker out to block Halloran’s match-sealing effort, it would have crowned a sensational defensive performance.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6033090404001
Melbourne Victory – Ola Toivonen
Swedish FIFA World Cup striker Ola Toivonen was irrepressible in Melbourne Victory’s 3-1 win against Wellington Phoenix on Friday night.
Always the man for the big occasion, Toivonen teed up Kosta Barbarouses early in the second half and iced the result with a perfectly executed lob over Phoenix goalkeeper Filip Kurto midway through the second half.
He created three chances, won possession five times and was more or less unstoppable.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6032552045001
Wellington Phoenix – Roy Krishna
Fittingly, Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna went out with a bang in Friday’a 3-1 loss to Victory.
The 2018/19 Golden Boot winner registered his 19th of the campaign with a neat finish from Sarpreet Singh’s cross, one of a round-high four shots the Fijian star unleashed.
Krishna’s all-round game has evolved impressively this season, and he combined fluently with the likes of David Williams and Max Burgess, creating two chances in total.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6032552749001
