Melbourne City FC will have the opportunities to create history when they take part in the Club’s first ever Hyundai A-League Grand Final appearance. Ahead of the blockbuster clash, we take a look at five things we’re looking forward to.
A first ever Championship?
Melbourne City moved one step closer to the ultimate goal on Wednesday evening, defeating Western United 2-0 to progress through to the Club’s first ever A-League Grand Final, where they will take on this season’s Premiers Sydney FC.
As City prepare for the biggest A-League game in the Club’s history, the team now sit just one win away from claiming the Championship trophy and adding to the 2016 FFA Cup in the trophy cabinet.
In what has been a difficult season due to the unprecedented times that we are faced with, the team has shown great grit and determination and will be vying to finish the season with the ultimate achievement.
Maiden grand-final appearances
In terms of Grand Final experience, it is clear that Sydney are better positioned. Josh Brillante is the only player in City’s squad who has played in a grand final and that of course came when he was a Sydney player.
Erick Mombaerts will be hoping to keep his players calm and ensure there aren’t too many nerves going into the biggest game in most players’ careers.
Grand Final experience aside, City has had a brilliant season and will be looking to maintain their strong end-of-season form.
Golden boot heavyweights duelling it out
It was an enthralling battle between Jamie Maclaren and Adam Le Fondre all season, as the two strikers fought it out for the golden boot. Maclaren was eventually awarded that honour with 22 goals, while Le Fondre still had an outstanding season himself, scoring 20.
We will get to see the two go head-to-head on the biggest stage, and what a battle it is shaping up to be.
The two meetings between teams this season were split a win apiece, with Maclaren scoring in both matches and Le Fondre scoring in Sydney’s win.
Spoiling Sydney’s party
Sydney FC had a great season and were clearly the best team, finishing six points and goal difference ahead of City on the table and taking out the premiers’ plate.
Sydney has on two occasions before completed the ‘double’, winning both the premiership and the championship in the 2009-10 and the 2016-17 seasons.
They will be looking to win the Grand Final and record a historic third double on Sunday, but City will be out to spoil the party and become champions for the first time.
City LIVE is back for one last time this season!
City LIVE presented by McDonald’s is back for the grand final! Join Julian de Stoop and Thomas Sorensen from 6pm on Facebook and YouTube as they build up to the big game. You can then catch the boys at half-time and full-time to break down all the big talking points out of the Grand Final.
