The Wanderers are going to the grand final, and the Roar can only sit down on their haunches in defeat.
REPORT: WANDERERS WIN 9-GOAL THRILLER
What a game of football that was, an incredible battle with goals galore but it’s the home side that get the job done with a final goal through Dario Vidosic in extra time.
Final score
Wanderers 5
Roar 4
The Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar will duke it out inside Pirtek Stadium this afternoon for a spot in the grand finale of season 2015/16. Catch all the thrilling action and highlights from 5:00pm (AEST) on The Roar.
The question is who will join the minor premiers Adelaide United who have already booked their ticket to the final with a dominant 4-1 display over Melbourne City.
The two teams have been near inseparable throughout the season, finishing on exactly the same points with 14 wins, 6 draws and 7 losses a piece, just a two-goal difference separating them in the end in favor of the red and black.
The Wanderers took a week off for the elimination finals and will no doubt be well-rested, but it’s the Roar that will be full of confidence after last week.
Brisbane are coming into this one off the back of one of the most exciting and heart stopping finals in A-League’s short history, responding to a late Melbourne Victory goal with two of their own in the dying minutes of the game to keep their campaign alive.
These two sides have had quite the thrilling history of finals themselves in recent times, clashing in the grand final qualifier during the Wanderers’ famed first season in the competition, which the newbies won 2-0.
However, Brisbane have the wood over the Sydney side, having beaten them just one year later in the 2014 Grand Final, potting home a devastating goal in an extra time thriller.
In team news, both coaches will have their full quota of players come game time, with no injury news or any real troubles for either side, but both with extended squads that will be shortened before kick off.
Jaushua Sotirio and Jacob Pepper have been promoted into the Wanderers line-up, while Shane Stefanutto and Steven Lustica make their way into the Brisbane squad.
Two full strength sides on a tear for the grand final should definitely continue the current run of outstanding football we’ve already seen in the finals series so far.
Prediction
It’s going to be a tight game to pick this one. The Wanderers and Brisbane were about on par with each other throughout the season but the Western Sydney boys have a history of falling short in big finals.
Brisbane to win 3-2 with a goal or two in the last 15 minutes.
Can the Wanderers reach another grand final in their short history with a big win at home? Or will the Roar silence the vocal Western Sydney crowd and earn a one way ticket to the finale? Catch all the exciting A-League action from 5:00pm (AEST) on The Roar.
Post hoc
Guest
Really? Compared to what? Compared to when? Goals per round this year is 0.16 different to last year There is 1 goal per round more this year than the previous 2 seasons before that. What are you comparing it to? People cry "sokka is boring no goals" yet when there are goals in a game or in a whole season the anti football bigade like yourself declare 'this leagues defence is terrible' So What are you comparing it to? A League this season 3.12 goals per match Dutch league average since 2011/12 season 3.13 goals per match La Liga 2.75 Bundesligia 2.9 EPL 2.7 So what are we actually comparing Mr high kicks in hotpants? You claim defence this year has been terrible yet goals per matches is on par with the best leagues around the world. I suspect as most already believe on here you don't have a clue
marron
Guest
Pretty good summary AZ!
marron
Guest
They should narrow the goals.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
I said that Punter.
Punter
Guest
Brisbane Roar has qualified too.
Punter
Guest
Seagulls fighting over a chip!!!
Hung
Guest
What you said is true, but its not exactly reasoning that way. 1st on table and Grand Final winner get automatic qualification. Since AU qualified through first on table, 2nd spot goes to Wanderers. Roar, next on the ladder get Home ACL playoff qualifier 2nd round. They win that they qualify to ACL.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Anyone who considers ALeague a lesser league after this season really has no clue about football. We must educate the fools, Mid!
AZ_RBB
Guest
It's one of those nights where I'm too overwhelmed to describe events in a normal fashion so I'm going to use dot points - Between the 10th and 20th minute - it was some of the most embarrassing football I have ever seen. First 2 goals were just comical. I had basically given up at 0-3 - But I thought about it. None of the 3 goals were the result of Brisbane doing anything special. They were gifts. We had 70mins to score 3 goals. At home. - When that Castelen went through what was probably one of the most poorly formed walls I've ever seen, it was already game on. Reminded myself of that epic Derby which unfolded in a similar fashion - 2-3 at half time was an odd feeling. Are we happy cos we clawed back 2 goals? Would we be happy if it was 0-1 at half time instead? But we knew momentum was on our side. The crowd was most certainly back in the game. - When that equaliser went in, it was pandemonium. Again akin to Bulut's equaliser last season but a notch higher. But I almost wish we had scored later in the game. Brisbane had plenty of time to catch up. - We should have put the game to bed earlier. Couple of guilt edge opportunities missed. Didn't completely surprise me when Brisbane equalised. 4-4 at 90mins was a staggering sight. Wow - When the winner eventually went in after it looked like we might have blown it, we all went to the fairies really. I can't even remember what the crowd reaction was like. I just went numb. - The credit has to go right across the pitch. Castelen was obviously man of the match. But my hero was Scott Jamieson. What a performance. Best I've seen him play all season. I thought Andreu recovered quite well after costing us the first 2 goals. Nichols was every where. Topor was in beast mode. - But enormous credit has to go to the RBB. Even at 0-3 down, the energy was still there. From 2-3 onwards it was some of the most energetic and passionate active support I've ever seen. There were moments when the entire stadium was on its feet singing. - I thought the ref made a handful of errors but I don't feel that it had impact on the result. The players on the field made 50 times the errors the ref did. - Off to Adelaide now. I'm not at liberty to disclose how much I just spent on travels costs but I'm sure it'll be worth it. It'll be an incredibly difficult match but I hope the Oval will be a leveler of sorts. With the cost of travel and lack of flights, I doubt we'll get more than 7-8k WSW fans travelling. 10k would be amazing. Adelaide won't have seen anything like it. - 3rd GF in 4 seasons of existence is just extraordinary. Trust me, none of us take it for granted for a second. I know a lean period might be just around the corner. Need to make the most of this success. - Football truly is the beautiful game.
jamesb
Guest
Yep, pretty much.....
Midfielder
Guest
I hope the game got some decent ratings it deserved it.
Paul
Guest
Fouls on WSW players not given for the same fouls awarded to Brisbane Roar. Missed simulation by Roar players diving into WSW players. Almost as bad as Ben Williams or Jarred Gillett. Give us Delovski or Beath any day over this muppet
morebeer
Guest
…sokka is boring, only nil all draws, and diving and riots and they made the climate change and killed all the pandas and polar bears and stuff...
marron
Guest
We always had it Middy. No sweat. A brilliant way to send off parra. We never lost a finals match there. Nights like tonight show why - the crowd, the crowd, romping home, the players giving their all. Gonna miss it.
Fadida
Guest
High kicks and hot pants
Midfielder
Guest
Az you must have been from the depths of despite to the joys ????
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
And all I can say with our "impressive amount of incompetence & choking" is....... we finished higher in the Premiership than you....... ......and went further in the Finals than you.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
We thought the refereeing by Peter Green was very good and he'll probably get the GF. What in particular did you see as the problem Pippinu?
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Fussball, Wanderers should thank Victory for making the Golden Toilet Seat grand final. Victory had nothing to play for against Brisvegas in the final round yet held them to a draw, which allowed Wanderers to finish second and gave them a home semi final. If Brisvegas had won against Victory, Wanderers would have finished 3rd and then have had to beat Victory and then Adelaide in Adelaide to get to the grand final.
jamesb
Guest
Teams played with more attack this season.