Melbourne Heart’s awe-inspiring redemption in the latter half of the season with 21 points from 11 matches will be all for nothing if they do not win tonight against second-placed Western Sydney Wanderers. Join The Roar from 5:30pm AEST.
The Wanderers sit level with Central Coast Mariners on 39 points, and they equally need a win tonight to consolidate their spot heading into the A-League finals. A loss could see them drop as far down as sixth if all the results this weekend go against them.
Melbourne Heart began the season in the worst fashion possible, and narrowly avoided the A-League’s record for longest winless streak. But at the right time John Van Schip took over the team in desperate need of change, and brought the Heart back to life.
However, a recent five-match winless streak has them back on the bottom of the table.
Tonight is Australian icon Harry Kewell’s last football match ever, and the Heart will look to send him off in spectacular fashion against a team whom they have struggled against all year.
Amazingly these two sides haven’t met since Round 9, when they drew 1-1, and previous to that in Round 5 the Wanderers won 1-0.
With the Wanderers playing well in the ACL, and having a decent season domestically, they will be hard to defeat. But the Heart have the home ground advantage, and will be expecting a huge atmosphere for a farewell to Harry Kewell.
Game Breaker
Harry Kewell could very well be the decisive player for the Heart, and a good performance by the former Socceroo may prove to be the difference needed to lift the Heart off of the bottom of the table.
David Williams, Orlando Engelaar and Patrick Kisnorbo will also need to be at their best to overcome the in-form Wanderers.
For the Wanderers, Matthew Spiranovic and Aaron Mooy will both need to play the game of their lives. Spiranovic’s defensive ability will be called upon against the likes of David Williams and Mate Dugandzic, and Mooy’s ability to break down play and quickly transition from defence to attack will be vital for the Wanderers’ counter-attacking style.
However the game breaker for the Wanderers will probably come down to the unpredictable team selection, with both of the players mentioned above never certain starters.
Prediction
Tony Popovic has narrowly escaped several poor selection decisions this year, and Melbourne Heart will prove too strong with a farewell Harry home crowd behind them. 2-1 to the Heart.
leon
Guest
Exactly.
leon
Guest
Hershi did no such thing. Germano would do well to keep hold of the ball next time.
Reginald Bomber
Roar Guru
Hershi goal should have been disallowed as well, when he pushed over the defender to get to the ball. Don't worry - FFA United will win the GTS and Gallop will add a few dollars to the sale price.
Matty C
Guest
How did the referee and linesman miss the rolling ball that Kewell played to Engelaar that led to their goal? The sheik must have been paying off the ref. should change their name to... oh wait, that's already on the cards... Shame of the a-league? The only shame that has come out of this whole affair is that someone can be accused, trialled and found guilty by public opinion.
Reginald Bomber
Roar Guru
Farewell Harry Kewell, a gentleman, a professional and Australia's greatest ever football player.
Reginald Bomber
Roar Guru
Santalab has quickly become the shame of the A-League. How did the referee and linesman miss that blatant foul to pull down the defender and get a free shot on goal. Should have been yellow carded earlier, yellow carded twice and sent off. It was cheating that was the difference between WSW finishing second or fourth or fifth. Should change their name to FFA United or Gallops Goons.
Rob
Guest
How the hell is that poor sportmanship? It's bad play from the defender by letting it happen.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Really really proud of the boys continuing to fight to the last minute after missing a penalty and falling behind. Next up, advancing in the ACL!
howie 2127
Guest
Santalab rules .
AZ_RBB
Guest
Calmed down enough to post a comment. Actually....no I haven't... WWOOOOOOOO!!!
Aethelbert
Guest
FFAFC does it again!
James Anderson
Roar Guru
And thats it tonight. Head over to Brisbane v Central Coast to watch the battle for 2nd spot continue. Wanderers clench 2nd spot for now, and it will take something very very special from the Mariners to reverse a 10 goal difference for 2nd place. Thanks for tuning in, see you next time.
Rodrigo
Guest
Biased much?
James Anderson
Roar Guru
What a strange end to a match. 96 minutes in and Santalab is in the spotlight again for all the wrong reasons. A horrible way to end a career for Kewell, but he is now getting the ovation and handshakes that he deserves. Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 Melbourne Heart Fulltime’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Some unsporting play from Polenz at the corner post, making the ball bounce off a Melbourne player twice to concede more corners. Very poor sportsmanship, and no way to win a match. Melbourne attack now. Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 Melbourne Heart 94’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Behich concedes throw in deep into Heart defensive half. Perhaps one more attack left for the Heart tonight. Wanderers look content with wasting time. Wanderers corner takes several minutes. Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 Melbourne Heart 92’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Four more minutes of stoppage time
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Kewell chests the ball down well and flicks the ball through to Ramsey, but Ramsey cannot beat his man. Another brilliant touch from Kewell. The football world will miss his class. Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 Melbourne Heart 90’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Melbourne attacking now, but they seem very tired. Germano shot from wel outside the area goes well over the crossbar. Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 Melbourne Heart 88’
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Melbourne's scrappy defending was to blame for that goal once again. They had many chances to clear the ball, but eventually it fell to Hersi on the edge of the box, where it would have been hard to miss Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 Melbourne Heart 86’