The Roar's A-League Men tips and predictions: Round 26 - the jostle for finals positions is on in earnest
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Win the FFA Cup final and Sydney FC will clinch the coveted Australian football treble.
It’s been the motivation for Graham Arnold and his squad to add a third piece of domestic silverware to last season’s A-League premiership and championship.
But the coach flipped the message on its head ahead of Tuesday’s Cup final against Adelaide United, declaring that rather than mark the completion of a treble already achieved, the trophy would signify the start of one to come.
“It’s just about winning the trophy,” Arnold said
“As I said to the boys, where does it end? Is it the third trophy or is it the first of another three?
“It’s hard to understand in Australian football, the actual calendar year it’s a third trophy but then the football season crosses over.
“The way I look at it, it’s the first of three, not the third of three.”
As per the Arnold mantra, Sydney expect to emerge from Allianz Stadium victorious.
But he drilled home the need to bury opponents while on top – a message that nearly got lost when Newcastle came close to pinching an equaliser in Saturday’s 2-1 result.
“As I said to the boys after the game against Newcastle, I want to see 90 minutes of that first 45,” Arnold said.
“For that first 45, we destroyed Newcastle.
“I can see the hunger in the players’ faces and in their eyes.
“They’re excited for tomorrow night, they’ve worked hard to get there and we expect to finish it off.”
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
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