Friday Night Finals Football
After qualifying for their fourth successive finals series, Melbourne City FC will host Brisbane Roar in the first Elimination Final of the 2017-18 Hyundai A-League Finals Series at AAMI Park on Friday night, kick-off 7:50pm.
Both teams have hit their straps over the past couple of months, setting up a mouth-watering clash under Friday night lights in do-or-die circumstances.
Don’t miss the chance to watch the boys in finals football action, get your tickets here!
A chance to create Club history
City secured their highest ever finish in the A-League last weekend when they concluded the regular season in third-place.
Warren Joyce and his men have done well to re-write the Club record books this season, but there is no doubt that the boys in City Blue will be looking to take their season one step further and become the first team in the Club’s A-League history to claim the Championship.
To take the first step on that journey, City will need to beat Brisbane on Friday night. There’s something different about finals football, and there is no doubt that if Joyce’s men step up to the pressure that comes with the do-or-die nature of finals, they will take one huge leap towards the ultimate goal.
The X-Factor
Finals are so often decided by a moment of brilliance or a special individual performance. In a game that is so often decided by a matter of inches, both teams will be looking for that game-changing moment.
If there is one player that has shown us that he is capable of performing on the big stage this season, it’s Daniel Arzani.
Despite copious amounts of expectation and attention following a brilliant start to his career, the 19-year-old has continued to thrive and excel under the pressure and expectation that has been placed upon him.
If there is a time for the youngster to yet again stun the nation, it’s in a knock-out final against fierce rivals Brisbane Roar.
Old friends turn foes
When City takes on Brisbane this Friday, there will be three familiar faces in the travelling camp.
Brisbane Roar Head Coach John Aloisi played for Melbourne Heart before being appointed as the coach of the Club, while Ivan Franjic and Corey Gameiro both played for City in recent years.
Despite the close relations, friendships will be put aside on Friday night, as both sides go head-to-head for a place in the Semi-Finals.
The 12th man
With finals so often decided by the smallest of margins, the home ground advantage is set to come into play.
The boys in City blue have worked hard to earn a home final and will need their ever-reliable 12th man to come into play.
With the best supporters in the league, it’s time to help our boys get over the line at AAMI Park.
