Western Sydney Wanderers pair Mitch Nichols and Scott Jamieson believe final-round A-League matches should kick off simultaneously.
The Wanderers are one of five sides chasing results on matchday 27, drawing to a close an A-League season that has been and continues to be tighter than any in its 11-year history. Only four points separate ladder leaders Brisbane and fifth-placed Perth Glory with one week remaining before finals.
Tony Popovic’s side travel to Wellington for a clash with the Phoenix on Sunday, and three points in that fixture could see Western Sydney finish anywhere from first to fifth on the table.
Yet by then much of the Wanderers’ fate will be out of their hands. Premiership rivals Brisbane face off against Melbourne Victory on Saturday night, and a Roar win would secure the Premiers’ Plate regardless of Sunday’s result.
Such is the league’s unprecedented closeness that it has sparked widespread debate in the Australian football community, posing the question: should final-round matches be played simultaneously?
READ MORE: Could simultaneous kick-offs work in the A-League’s final round?
Attacking-midfielder Nichols and left-back Jamieson weighed in on the issue and believe the concept is something that should be considered in future A-League seasons.
“We’ll still know by Sunday what we have to do, so it’s a wait and see thing,” Nichols said.
“But we’ll still go over to Wellington to get the three points no matter what, so if that means we finished first, that’d be great, but as long as we win over there, we’ll be as high as possible.
“It’s going to be an interesting weekend, but like I said, it’s not out of our hands, we just have to win our game … whatever happens before then, we can’t affect.
“I think it (a simultaneous kick-off) would add to the drama of it … maybe that’s something they can look at for next year.”
“I think the league needs to come to grips with everyone playing at the same time,” Jamieson said.
“It just adds excitement, and for us, we know we play on Sunday and we’ve got to win regardless because I’m sure Perth are going to beat Sydney … regardless of the other games, we’ve got to win and that’s the only thing we worry about.
“Whatever will be will be. If we stress about Friday’s game, Saturday’s night’s game, we’ll be all stressed out. Who cares? Just let them play.”
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