A-League finals race reaches dramatic climax

The stage is set for one of the most dramatic conclusions to any Australian sporting competition in this weekend’s final round of the A-League.

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Four teams are locked together at the top of the ladder, all with a realistic chance of securing the minor premiership and an automatic berth into next year’s Asian Champions League.

Only goal difference separates Queensland, Sydney FC, Central Coast and Newcastle, with the Roar narrowly leading with a goal difference of +6, followed by Sydney (+4), the Mariners and Jets (both +3).

Making things very interesting is the fact that all four teams are involved in games against bottom-four opposition.

According to Football Federation Australia, never before in any of Australia’s major national football codes have four teams been equal on points leading into the final round.

“It’s been an extremely tight competition I think everyone expected that at the beginning of the year,” Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond said.

“I think the salary cap is doing its job which is excellent and its great for the fans coming into the last round to support the team and hopefully get them into a top spot.”

The shoot-out begins tomorrow night when the Jets host the seventh-placed Glory at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

It would seem an easy match for the home side, but the Jets have a woeful record against the Western Australians, losing five of their eight matches.

Their record at home to the Glory is also astounding - conceding 15 goals and scoring only three.

The Mariners are also at home to lowly opposition in the last-placed Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, but the New Zealanders have also proved capable of springing an upset this season.

Sydney FC have a meeting with the reigning champions and arguably the form team of the competition Melbourne at home on Sunday afternoon while the Roar have a tricky away clash to Adelaide.

First priority for all four sides is getting three points.

That would at least go a long way to booking a top two spot and securing a two bites at the cherry in the playoffs.

After that, goal difference is likely figure.

If all four manage to win, the Roar’s two-goal buffer could prove crucial, although the Jets and Mariners are capable of racking up big scorelines against the Glory and Phoenix respectively.

The timing of the games is also crucial, with the Roar’s Sunday evening kick-off allowing them to know exactly what is needed to get them to top spot.

Conversely, Newcastle can apply the pressure on the other teams with a dominant display in Friday’s round opener.

For those that slip up, at least there is the comfort of a guaranteed berth in the finals and a shot at the biggest prize to be decided on February 24.

The round also represents the last chance for Socceroos hopefuls to impress national coach Pim Verbeek, who will on Wednesday name his squad to play Qatar in Australia’s opening world cup qualifier in Melbourne on February 6.

Preview of round 21 A-League matches this weekend (all times local).

FRIDAY

NEWCASTLE JETS v PERTH GLORY at EnergyAustralia Stadium, 8pm

Head to Head: Newcastle 1, Perth 5, Draw 2

Last meeting: Perth 4 bt Newcastle 1 at EnergyAustralia Stadium, November 2007

TAB Sportsbet: Newcastle $1.65, Draw $3.80, Perth $4.50

The Jets have a terrible record against Perth and their five losses to the Glory have included some hidings. The Glory’s shock 4-1 win in Newcastle last November continued that trend but they’re unlikely to meet a Jets outfit with more to play for than on Friday night. Although their finals spot wasn’t assured until last Saturday’s win over the Mariners, the Jets are remarkably tied for first and in with a shot at the minor premiership. Gary van Egmond’s team is the only one of the top four contenders entering the final round with winning form and are shooting for their third straight win here. With goal difference likely to be crucial in deciding top spot, the Jets would need a comfortable win but van Egmond has told his charges to focus on getting the three points. Perth will be desperate for a win to avoid the wooden spoon but have been dealt a blow with Stan Lazaridis ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Key: Joel Griffiths. The A-League leading goal scorer can’t stop finding the back at the net at the moment and could run riot against the Glory’s defence.

Tip: Newcastle

SATURDAY

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS v WELLINGTON PHOENIX at Bluetongue Stadium, 7pm

Head to Head: Central Coast 2, Wellington 0, Draw 0

Last meeting: Central Coast 2 bt Wellington 1 at Westpac Stadium, October 2007

TAB Sportsbet: Central Coast $1.50, Draw $4, Wellington $5.75

After leading the competition for most of the season, the Mariners suddenly find themselves back with the pack and facing the real possibility finishing third or fourth - which would result in a knock-out semi-final. That’s due largely to their form in the back-end of the season. They have picked up only one point from their last four matches and won just one in seven games. Lawrie McKinna will be desperate for his side to beat the Phoenix and regain some momentum for the finals. The Phoenix are in last place but have been far from disgraced in their inaugural season - offering coach Ricki Herbert plenty of encouragement for next season. They will be keen to go out with a bang and spring an upset as they have already done against Sydney FC and Newcastle this season. The form of striker Shane Smeltz has been a shining light for Wellington and he will be looking to add to his tally of nine goals for the season. Brothers John and Ross Aloisi will play against each other for the first time in the match.

Key: The Phoenix defence has leaked 35 goals this season and that could spell trouble against an in-form John Aloisi.

Tip: Central Coast

SUNDAY

SYDNEY FC v MELBOURNE VICTORY at Sydney Football Stadium, 5pm

Head to Head: Sydney 1, Melbourne 4, Draw 3

Last meeting: Sydney 0 drew Melbourne 0 at Telstra Dome, November 2007

TAB Sportsbet: Sydney $1.95, Draw $3.50, Melbourne $3.40

The A-League’s most intense rivalry will be reignited here but few could have predicted the Victory would be out of finals contention when they looked ahead to this fixture. The reigning premiers have been disappointing this season but, unfortunately for Sydney FC, are probably the form team of the competition right now. They’ve won their last three games on the trot - scoring 10 goals and conceding just three - but left their run much too late in the season. Equal leaders Sydney FC have everything to play for and could complete a remarkable turnaround from their poor early-season form by clinching the minor premiership. John Kosmina is boosted by defender Mark Milligan’s return and could also call up benched stars Juninho and Michael Bridges - who will play the last game of his loan spell before returning to Hull City. Sydney will need to stop Melbourne midfielder Carlos Hernandez, whose recent form earned him a recall to the Costa Rican national side mid-week. Sydney have not beaten Melbourne since season one of the A-League which is bound to play on their minds.

Key: The last three matches between these sides have only produced one goal. A moment of brilliance or mistake could decide it.

Tip: Draw

ADELAIDE UNITED v QUEENSLAND ROAR at Hindmarsh Stadium, 7pm

Head to Head: Adelaide 3, Queensland 2 Draw 3

Last meeting: Queensland 1 bt Adelaide 0 at Hindmarsh Stadium, November 2007

TAB Sportsbet: Adelaide $3.10, Draw $3.40, Queensland $2.10

Premiership favourites Queensland have two advantages over their minor-premiership rivals heading into the final round. They lead on goal-difference by two goals, which could prove crucial, but perhaps more importantly, they play the last match of the round. That means Frank Farina will know exactly what the Roar are required to do to clinch the top spot and a berth at next year’s Asian Champions League. It could, however, put some added pressure on them, particularly if Newcastle, Central Coast and Sydney manage wins. Queensland skipper Craig Moore is in serious doubt for the match with a groin strain but will be given every chance to prove his fitness. Farina is treating the match as the biggest in the history of the club, which failed to make the finals in either of the first two seasons of the A-League. Adelaide are in dismal form and have lost their last four matches. Another defeat would set a new club record. With speculation over Aurelio Vidmar’s future lingering, the United boss will be keen to see out the season with a win.

Key: Queensland’s younger stars have got the Roar to where they are, but can they handle the pressure of a big occasion?

Tip: Queensland

© 2007 AAP

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