Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC will face off in the finals for the very first time, after Wellington Phoenix’s 1-0 win over Macarthur FC confirmed the final layout of the Isuzu UTE A-League top six.
Wellington were the last top-six side yet to confirm their spot in the post-season prior to Round 26, but their road win over the Bulls secured a sixth-placed finish for Ufuk Talay’s side.
Sydney FC meantime defeated Newcastle Jets 2-0 in the concurrent Saturday fixture. It confirmed the Sky Blues would finish fifth, setting up a tantalising Sydney Derby on Saturday, May 6 at CommBank Stadium.
A-LEAGUE MEN FINALS SERIES FIXTURES: WEEK ONE
Adelaide United will host Wellington Phoenix at 7.45pm AEST on Friday 5 May at Coopers Stadium after the New Zealand side secured their finals place with a 1-0 win away against Macarthur FC.
Western Sydney Wanderers will then face Sydney FC at 7.45pm AEST on Saturday 6 May at CommBank Stadium after Sydney FC saw off Newcastle Jets 2-0 to set up a mouth-watering knockout Sydney Derby.
Tickets for the Elimination Finals will go on sale from 12.00pm (local time) on Monday May 1 for members and 4.00pm (local time) on Tuesday May 2 for the general public.
More details to follow from the APL and clubs on how you can secure your seat.
ADELAIDE UNITED v WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Elimination Final
Friday, May 5 2023
Coopers Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS v SYDNEY FC
Elimination Final
Saturday, May 6 2023
CommBank Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
Wellington and Sydney’s spots in the six were confirmed the day after an epic conclusion to the top-four battle; Central Coast Mariners romped to a 4-1 over Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Friday night, to wrestle second spot off the Reds and shape the Isuzu UTE A-League top four prior to the Finals Series.
Adelaide began the night in second prior to taking on the third-placed Mariners, as Premiers Melbourne City hosted Western Sydney Wanderers (fourth). The simultaneous fixtures provided twists, turns, drama aplenty and bags of goals as Adelaide lost 4-1 and City came from behind to beat the Wanderers 3-2.
The pair of Friday-night results confirmed where and when each of next weekend’s Elimination Finals would take place. City and the Mariners are set for a week off; they’ll return to action in the Semi Finals.
REACTION: ‘Where’s his protection?’ Veart questions Irankunda treatment as tensions spill at Coopers Stadium
MORE: Top four LOCKED IN after epic Friday night
MATCH REPORT: MARINERS SEAL SECOND WITH REDS DEMOLITION JOB
MATCH REPORT: CITY COME FROM BEHIND TO SNATCH DRAMATIC WIN OVER WANDERERS
