The race for the final two A-League finals vacancies was whittled down to four after Melbourne Heart bowed out with a flat 2-0 loss to Brisbane Roar on Sunday.
And the premier’s plate is still up for grabs after Central Coast downed Adelaide United 2-0 at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday night.
A spirited Roar (32 points) jumped from eighth to fifth on a congested ladder with one regular season round left, but the Heart (27 points) bowed out of the top six hunt with a whimper.
Sixth-placed Sydney FC are on 32 points with Brisbane, but have an inferior goal difference of minus eight.
In a promoter’s dream, the Roar will learn their finals fate after they host fellow finals hopeful Sydney on Thursday night.
But Heart coach John Aloisi thought the omens were good for the two-time A-League defending champions.
“They will cause problems. They are hitting form at the right time,” he said of the Roar.
“If Brisbane do make it I think they can give it a real shake, because it doesn’t matter where you finish.”
Roar coach Mike Mulvey said his playoff equation was simple.
“We have set out to win. If we do that we won’t have to worry about anything else,” he said.
Adding to the finals intrigue, seventh-placed Perth Glory (31 points) and eighth-placed Newcastle Jets (31 points) remain in the mix for the final two playoff berths.
Perth finish their regular season at home against Adelaide United while the Jets host ladder leaders Western Sydney Wanderers.
The bubble didn’t exactly burst for the Wanderers but the newcomers missed out on sealing the premier’s plate with a game in hand when their 10-game winning streak ended in a 1-1 draw against Sydney on Saturday night.
The Wanderers can lose top spot if Central Coast beat Melbourne Heart and the A-League newcomers lose to Newcastle next weekend.
“The message we’ve given the players is that we’ve gone a step closer,” coach Tony Popovic said.
The Wanderers only concern is marquee signing Shinji Ono (groin), who left the field early in the second half.
Melbourne Victory (41 points) and Adelaide United (40 points) aren’t sweating on a finals spot – both will host home elimination finals.
But Victory coach Ange Postecoglou wasn’t pleased with his side’s 3-2 loss to Perth Glory on Saturday night.
“We were poor in every way, shape and form and got rightly punished for an unacceptable performance,” he said.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Form will play its part in the finals I believe. Mariners are out of their slump but choke in finals. Wanderers are injury and suspension riddled. Victory and Adelaide are playing bad at the moment. The only three teams I see giving it a shake are Roar, Sydney and Perth. I believe the winner will come from Brisbane or Sydney. If its a draw then I hope Newcastle lose and as for Perth well I think they'll win. It will be a good finals series.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
As the Mariners continue to prove in their sudden-death performances, and at PKs.
Ian
Guest
that's the thing - i was discussing this morning. IF brisbane make it ,and i said if perth win they are in the finals regardless of other results, they can't play each other in the two weeks of finals then you can have 5th v 6th in the GF and whoever was 5th actually hosts the GF. they are big IFs, but you never know what pressure does to teams.
Cameron
Roar Guru
I'm fully with you there Nathan.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Draw with Sydney and Perth win and it could be Perth 5th, Brisbane 6th =D Gangway people, we have unfinished business!
Cameron
Roar Guru
Brisbane 5th Glory 6th Both knock everyone out then GF REPLAY!?
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Ha! Hard to say, we're 2-0-1 over you and 1-1-1 with Sydney. I suppose Sydney getting in has benefits for the league over all, but the possibility for another crack at Brisbane would be fascinating.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Who would you prefer to win Nathan? Brisbane or Sydney?
Nathan of Perth
Guest
If Glory wins then the loser of Brisbane Sydney is gone. It's a fascinating dynamic. Will be interesting to see if Glory can cope with the pressure this time.
pete4
Guest
The Brisbane v Sydney match is a mini Grand final really. Massive weekend coming as anything can happen from here!
Ian
Guest
the amount of scenarios that can arise from this week's fixtures is astounding. 1v2 can change. 3v4 can change. 5 v 6 can change. only certainty as a roar fan is whoever wins roar v sydney is guaranteed a finals spot. and its all only 3 days away! WSW have a couple of significant injuries, perth is playing well also. what a 4 days of football lined up.