Outside90’s Chris Matthews-Darby takes a look at what could be the defining factors for Adelaide United in this weekend’s A-League grand final.
Selection
He was named Coach of the Year midweek, but Gui Amor has a massive call to make heading into this Sunday’s finale. Tarek Elrich is available for selection and if this were a regular season match one would imagine he would slot straight back into the left-back role, with Craig Goodwin moving further up the field and Bruce Kamau dropping to the bench.
But since this is a final there is a big risk on starting Elrich in his first match back from injury. Will the 29-year-old, who won the championship with the Newcastle Jets, be fit enough to contain the rampaging Romeo Castelen for 90 minutes? Or does Amor bring him on if he needs to strengthen the defence late in the game? This could prove to be the biggest call he has had to make this season.
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Starve the Wanderers attack
Iacopa La Rocca and Ryan McGowan have been an indomitable duo at the back this season, playing a crucial role in a side that has kept 13 clean sheets in 28 matches. They will be called upon again this week, along with George Mells and Isaias to keep the Wanderers’ forwards quiet. The team that scored five in their semi-final will go in with a lot of confidence knowing what they can do up front, but if the Reds can manage to contain Western Sydney’s forwards then they will force them to search other avenues for goals.
Attack from the off
As soon as the whistle blows Adelaide are going to have to be in full force. They are going to have the majority of 50,000 fans supporting them on their home soil and they can silence the opposition portion of the crowd with an early goal. Not only will it set the tone for the rest of the match, it will also force Tony Popovic into making early changes, adjusting their style.
The team that settles into the game first is going to go a long way to winning the grand final and what better way to start and settle into your game than with an early goal?
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