Get excited people! The Hyundai A-League season is coming to a thrilling climax with a blockbuster semi final on Saturday night.
Ahead of the sudden-death match in the Harbour City to determine a place in this year’s grand final, here’s what you need to know.
When: Saturday night, May 9
Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Crowd: More than 30,000 should turn out for a clash between the second and third-placed sides during the regular season.
Recent History
Sky Blues fans turn away now.
Including a clash in the Westfield FFA Cup, these two have met four times this season and it’s the Reds who have enjoyed all the success.
A 0-0 draw in Adelaide early in the season is Sydney’s only joy against Josep Gombau’s side.
Most importantly for the Reds they have won all three matches at Allianz Stadium, including a 1-0 triumph just last month.
Talking points
These two sides are developing quite a rivalry.
Sky Blues boss Graham Arnold has accused the Reds of being a ‘long-ball’ team – citing Opta Data statistics – and was critical of their physical approach the last time these two met.
Gombau countered after Adelaide’s win over the finals, believing Sydney may be a little underdone following a week off for finishing second during the regular season.
Sydney countered that counter by playing an intra-club friendly on their “weekend off”.
Sydney FC’s home form must also be a concern, with all five of their defeats this season coming on their home patch.
It all adds up to a dramatic semi final.
Where it will be won
The Sky Blues have failed to break down Adelaide’s well-structured defensive wall whenever they’ve met this season.
It makes the first goal in this one critical.
If Adelaide get it they can stay compact and resolute and use their quick transition game to hit Sydney on the counter-attack.
But if the Sky Blues can get their noses in front it will not only force Adelaide to come out an attack but take some of the pressure off the home side due to their poor record at Allianz.
Sydney must be more clinical in the front third to beat Eugene Galekovic, who was the difference the last time these two sides met, while the class of Marcelo Carrusca, Sergio Cirio, Milos Dimitrijevic and Alex Brosque makes this a must-watch semi-final.
