Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC, the Big Blue, in the A-League 10th edition of the league’s showpiece.
It is an exciting time for anyone in the football community and Sunday’s clash at AAMI Park has all the makings of a memorable occasion. However, amongst all the hype and festivities are a handful of sub-plots.
The Big Blue Deadlock
It is the Manchester Derby of the A-League, and, like its English Premier League counterpart, it is always a controversial and exciting match-up regardless of the circumstances. To go along with that euphoria is the tightness and ill-desire to lose, which can lead to a dead rubber. Of the three meetings this season, not a single win has gone either way.
It began with a tense 0-0 stalemate at Allianz Stadium before Archie Thompson scored a hat-trick and rescued Melbourne a point in a lively 3-3 at Etihad Stadium. Finally, the three-piece was concluded in Sydney with another entertaining 3-3 draw. That means Sunday’s fixture is the decider, because as we know, there will be a victor. The only question will be whether or not these to two blue titans can be split inside the ninety.
Coinciding with the seasonal form guides is the number of A-League titles each club has in their cabinets, currently locked at two apiece. Brisbane Roar have won the toilet seat three times, a competition record and that will be equalled on Sunday.
AAMI Park debacle
It is a debate that has more than run its course. Why is the A-League grand final at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, with a capacity of 30,000 compared to Etihad Stadium’s 50,000 plus? The answer has been investigated by the footballing elite, with the FFA and AFL both copping criticism for the ordeal. At the end of the day, however, it does not matter. On Sunday, the stadium will be bathed in shades of blue and louder than a fighter jet.
The real question that we should be asking is this: who does the stadium most benefit? Many have said it will give the advantage to Sydney FC, purely because Victory supporters will be limited in number. Sydney captain Alex Brosque paralleled that theory.
“I think it makes it easier, going to AAMI Park – it has more of a normal game feel to it rather than a grand final feel,” Brosque told the Daily Telegraph during the week.
“If it was in the Etihad or somewhere else it would be very different.”
Archie Thompson’s finale as a Victory player?
Archie Thompson has played over 200 games for the Big V and has scored 89 goals, but with the addition of Fahid Ben Khalfallah and the in-form Kosta Barbarouses, the former Socceroo’s playing time has dwindled.
On Melbourne’s road to the premiership, Archie only started 16 of 28 matches, an absurd figure for an attacker that would be a first choice for many other A-League teams. Thompson is not thinking about retirement and wants to continue playing, openly stating he is open to anything if Kevin Muscat does not offer him a new contract.
Golden Boot of the Big Blue
To make the A-League grand final you have to possess goalscorers. Both Melbourne and Sydney possess some of the most lethal poachers. Besart Berisha is perhaps the most clinical forward the league has seen, while Austrian giant Marc Janko won the golden boot with 16 goals.
Despite this, neither are close to obtaining the bragging rights as top scorer in the tenth season of the Big Blue. That race is led by A-League veteran Shane Smeltz who has scored four goals, closely followed by Thompson on three.
It will be an interesting caper on Sunday as both are on the fringes and will most likely play a cameo role, which means Janko will have the opportunity to steal the crown if he can add to the two goals he scored in the previous two fixtures.
Terry Antonis could be pivotal
The Sydney youngster made his long-awaited return from injury last week against Adelaide, playing thirty minutes against the Reds. The Sky Blues attacker could provide the cutting edge to slice through Melbourne’s back line.
Antonis can inject some much needed pace into Sydney’s midfield to take some pressure off Mickael Tavares and Milos Dimitrijevic, or he could work in complete opposite and be utilised as a quick defensive midfielder to help quell the Victory’s ferocious front three.
Whether he plays or not is up to Graham Arnold, but there will be no qualms about his commitment whether it is a full game or just another half an hour. The young Socceroo will be eager to impress the always watching Ange Postecoglou after not featuring in Australia’s successful Asian Cup campaign.
So while you are in the stands on Sunday or at your local with some mates enjoying A-League royalty, keep an eye out for the various sub plots unfolding amongst all the chaos, excitement and pure agony depending on your favourite shade of blue.
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