Sunday’s A-League Grand Final will be an absolute treat for football fans.
Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners will fight it out in front of a sell-out crowd at Allianz Stadium. The two best clubs all season have made it to the final in what promises to be a mouth-watering showdown. There are a remarkable number of parallels between the two sides, which makes it incredibly difficult to pick a winner.
Tony Popovic and Graham Arnold – both of whom have been touted as potential future Socceroos coaches – will have to face off once again. Neither of them has been able to edge the other this year, with both clubs winning, drawing, and losing one match against the other.
The Wanderers comfortably made it into the Grand Final after beating Brisbane Roar 2-0 in last week’s semi-final. The two brilliant goals were worthy of any Grand Final. Dino Kresinger had only scored one goal previously during the season, but his deft flick was a joy to watch. However, Kresinger’s effort was later topped by the Wanderers marquee player Shinji Ono. Not many players could have lifted the ball over goalkeeper Michael Theo with such aplomb. After a goal like that, it’s easy to see why Ono has the nickname ‘Tensai’, meaning ‘genius’.
Unfortunately, the red card to Yousouff Hersi will hurt the Wanderers. Hersi has been one of their best players this year, and with him missing, Popovic will have to turn to some of his younger players in the biggest match of the season.
Despite the low score, Central Coast dismantled Melbourne Victory in their semi-final clash. The Mariners successfully managed to keep Johnny Warren medalist Marco Rojas and his strike partner Archie Thompson quiet throughout the match. Whenever Melbourne looked like attacking, the Mariners defenders were incredibly well organised – the defence never looked like cracking.
When it comes to comparing the Wanderers and Central Coast, they are remarkably even. The Wanderers have had the best defence in the league all year, conceding only 21 goals in total. The Mariners defence is just as strong, conceding 22 goals throughout the season. Josh Rose has been in good form, and has shown that he’s not afraid to get forward with great runs down the sideline. Rose has been pivotal in allowing the Mariners to play their trademark attacking brand of football.
Each team also has a potent attack, with both grand finalists scoring over 40 goals. The Central Coast’s Daniel McBreen was awarded the Golden Boot Award for his remarkable 18 goals, while for the Wanderers, Mark Bridge has scored 11 and assisted in many more.
Even the goalkeepers are similar. The experienced Ante Covic was awarded the best keeper in the league, after keeping 11 clean sheets throughout the year. His opposite number on Sunday, Mat Ryan, has had an equally good year. At the beginning of the season Ryan trialled with Tottenham Hotspur, and after keeping 13 clean sheets this year, is widely expected to try his luck overseas after the grand final.
Both teams also have their own fairytale finish in mind. For the Wanderers, it would be a dream come true for them to win the Premiers Plate and the grand final in their first year in the competition. Few tipped them to feature in the finals at all at the start of the year. For the Mariners, it’s a case of fourth time lucky. Despite making the grand final on three other occasions, Central Coast is yet to win won. 2013 could be the year that finally changes.
With so much quality between the two teams, don’t be surprised if they cancel each other out. A penalty shoot-out may be the only way to separate them. Whichever team wins, you can expect a scintillating final.
Paddy Naughtin is a third year Bachelor of Journalism student, and a current staff writer for upstart. You can follow him on Twitter here: @PaddyNaughtin
Jake Stevens is a first-year student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter:@CobbaStevens.
(Infographic by Jake Stevens)
Photo: Twitter – Hyundai A League
