Melbourne Victory took the most initiative in the first legs of A-League semi-final play, with a Jake Brimmer goal proving the only successful strike of the weekend and one that now demands Western United bring everything they have to the table in the return match on Saturday night.
Melbourne City and Adelaide United ended in a stalemate in the city of churches and now return to Melbourne for a Sunday afternoon clash to decide who will advance to the season’s final game just six days later.
It is brilliant for the competition that both semi-finals remain competitive heading into the second leg and despite the tipping nightmare 2022 has presented for all of us, the excitement surrounding the penultimate week of play is palpable.
This week, the panel are selecting the teams they believe will advance to the grand final after the second legs. That is a fairly straight-forward concept considering the 0-0 score line heading into the City vs Reds fixture.
Yet a tip for Western United would indicate a belief that the men in green and black will advance to the big dance and not merely in the second leg of play. Extra-time and penalties have been considered and the panel have looked deeply into their crystal balls to determine the winner of what looks yet another intriguing Melbourne Derby.
Good luck with your tips and be sure to enter them in the form below, as the voice of the crowd takes a two point lead into the final three matches of the 2021/22 season. Here is the way the panel sees all the second leg action unfolding and the teams they see as likely to face off in the grand final next weekend.
Victory, City
All the momentum is with Melbourne Victory following their tense 1-0 win over Western United in the first leg of this semi-final. They needed a moment of real quality from Jake Brimmer to get them over the line, but having registered a hard-fought clean sheet, they’ll feel confident of getting the job done in front of a partisan home crowd at AAMI Park.
Western United really miss the magic of Alessandro Diamanti to unlock a tight defence. They’ll put up plenty of fight in the second leg, but I suspect Victory might snatch a second straight win and book a place in the grand final in doing so.
Melbourne City were arguably the better side despite the first leg of this semi-final finishing scoreless at Coopers Stadium, and they’ll hope Jamie Maclaren is in slightly more clinical form in front of goal in the second leg.
Home favour should count in City’s favour here, and they’ll feel confident of knocking off a stubborn Adelaide United side that show plenty of grit and determination but aren’t always clinical finishers themselves. Just like the first leg, this is likely to be a tight and tense affair at AAMI Park. I suspect there might only be one goal in it, but I reckon it will decide the game in City’s favour.
Victory, City
Victory, Adelaide
After backing Western United in the first leg and watching keenly to see them stun the in-form Victory, Jake Brimmer spoiled the party with a stunning strike from the edge of the box. John Aloisi’s men were the better team early on, yet there did appear to be something inevitable about the subsequent onslaught mounted by Victory once they had ridden out the storm and steeled themselves for what was always to be a challenging confrontation with one of the best defences in the league. However, that Brimmer goal will prove the difference and after thinking United could well be on its way to a stunning grand final appearance, Tony Popovic will have his troops well prepared to defend a lead into which Western may struggle to make any impression.
The City v Adelaide rivalry continues on Sunday afternoon and after thinking that the Reds could get it done at home, only a brave soul would be backing them at AAMI Park in front of the City fans. Well, I’m a brave soul. The finals need an upset and this is going to be the one that throws the proverbial spanner in the works. Adelaide showed enough to beat City on Wednesday night and City also showed enough to win. Thus, this match will come down to a moment, perhaps even a penalty moment, with the Reds on their way to a grand final and another chance at A-League history.
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Western United, Melbourne City
Western United looked impressive in their ‘home’ leg and it looked like a matter of time before they would score. With another ninety minutes to go and a bigger crowd for an early evening kick off, AAMI Park will have an intimidating atmosphere though and that solitary goal from Jake Brimmer on Tuesday could prove pivotal. Victory will be ahead on the night early, Nick D’Agostino finding the faintest touch on a Josh Brillante cross and the North End will be bouncing.
Neil Kilkenny’s precise through ball for Aleksandar Prijovic will result in a penalty that the man himself converts and a costly yellow card will lead to a second for Jason Geria as the game changes complexion just before half time.
A wild second half of Western United pressing and Victory counter attacks will give Dylan Pierias the chance to shine and he will deliver with a mazy run and shot up the right before gliding in to finish off a fantastic cross from Ben Garuccio. Late pressure from Victory will be in vain and Western United will advance to the Grand Final against all odds.
Melbourne City did everything to score in Adelaide and they’re due a game where their chances are converted.
An unusual early kick off will make for a terrific atmosphere at AAMI Park and City will power their way into the lead with two early goals from Jamie Maclaren and Andrew Nabbout.
With Craig Goodwin shackled and Lachlan Brook given no space or time, Adelaide will try route one, George Blackwood nodding down for Hiroshi Ibusuki to slam in a goal to drag the visitors back into the game at the break. The second half will be in the balance until the hour mark, when Marco Tilio dances through to set up a tap in for Maclaren and the floodgates will open; two further goals making this a devastating win for Melbourne City and rewarding them with a berth in the grand final next week.
| Semi-Finals (team to advance) | Mike | Simon | Stuart | Texi | The Crowd |
| WUN vs MVC | MVC | MVC | MVC | WUN | ? |
| ADL vs MCY | MCY | MCY | ADL | MCY | ? |
| Previous total | 70 | 68 | 75 | 75 | 77 |
| Last week | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| New total | 70 | 70 | 75 | 76 | 78 |
Grem
Roar Rookie
An interesting article.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Opinion: The Bundesliga is going stale https://www.dw.com/en/opinion-the-bundesliga-is-going-stale/a-61747588
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
First the minor semi-final and no crystal ball in the Kings household, plenty of discussions though. She, who must be obeyed, is steadfast that Victory must never be given a leg up by us picking them [she should have seen my record before saying this I think] as she is looking over my shoulder I am told WE are picking Western Utd to pull off the biggest comeback since Lazarus. Now for the main event. This will be a ripper of a BIG match. Unlike Wednesday’s tension-filled nil-all battle, this will become a free-scoring affair, with all those goals both sides missed in their first encounter finding the back of the net. After a 2 all 90 minute feast of football, the following 30 minutes provide both drama, controversy and a 90 + 3-minute penalty that rescues City to drag them into a nerve-racking penalty shoot-out. at 7 all with no goal-keeper getting close to any of the goals so far, young Socceroo goal-keeper in waiting Joe Gauci, pulls off a blinder and as young Nestor Irukunda steps up to the spot with the crowd holding their breath, the silence is deafening, and with the calmness of a seasoned pro, sends the Might REDS into the Grand-Final against their most hated of rivals
VictoryWestern Utd. edited by Mrs King.Waz
Roar Rookie
Yeah, correct - the most crucial time of the season for fitness. That’s when players get their match fitness, City (and Victory & WU) were given a helping hand while other teams were hamstrung …. including Adelaide.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
That was the start of the season, not leading into the finals.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Remember the APL gave city a free ride at the start of the season and while others were flying in/out on game days City didn’t travel.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Should be Victory & City. City though haven’t beaten a top side all season so they’ll need to break that duck & Jamie MacLaren will need to step up snd score against a top side for a change. Western Utd have no plan other than park the bus. Their best hope is to force penalties but I can’t see victory letting this one slip.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
"maybe celebrated their premiership too much" An alternative view is that City is somewhat exhausted. The team has played 9 games in a month, from 15 April to 18 May. In around the same period, 12 April to 18 May, Adelaide played 6 games. The City games included travel to and from Asia to compete in the ACL.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The first leg City , apart from Leckie didnt look switched on maybe celebrated their premiership too much. Adelaide were switched on but to what game plan, they seemed to be trying to stir up City with the niggle and try to get someone set off, and City were too hungover to notice. I think City are vulnerable with either fullback and Glover but didnt see Adelaide do anything against them apart from Yengi getting around Jenkinson and they tested Glover with pea shooter shots.. Where Adelaide should be worried is every time they get into a footrace with Nabbout in particular they lose out easily. Western United they depend on never being behind, behind 1-0 I dont see a lot of hope.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Victory vs City final all the way!
Grem
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to both games and the grand final. Victory will be playing City in a huge grand final event. This season will end with a bang and next year will start with a bang.
Full Time NSD
Guest
Victory & City should be in the finals.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
Melb victory vs western united will a tight affair,but expect victory to win 2-1.City vs Adelaide untied to give City a few more headaches again on sunday.City to win 2-1 maybe.
Coastyboi
Guest
Adelaide, please win. That is all. NSW is rooting for you.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
remember, just because an agent has enquired; doesn't mean the player will sign - yuel has interest from other a league clubs (inparticular NSW) hes on a low wage, is effective and would be a good option off the bench for any a league side as for frogger jnr, hes excelled in a very young beograd team this season; but i think his time has passed professsionally. if he keeps banging the goals in - he will attract interest as a mature age player? hes a very different sort of striker compared to his dad, i am aware of no a league interest in jnr though. jovanovic is pencilled in to do pre season with the first team, he's still incredibly raw; at least 18-24 months away - i wouldnt expect any a league minutes from him next season, unless there is a huge injury crisis in the striking department. kasumovic will still be in front of him, hes just starting to hit some good form in the NPL - if he cuts out those ridiculous fortnight goal celebrations and loses some of his arrogance, he could be something special. until he handles those 2 aspects of his game, i hate to say it - i dont think he'll make it professionally - he reminds me of christian volpato a few years ago.
Franko
Guest
Well that really depends on who is going out. If they think that replacing Yengi and MToure with Yuel is acceptable, they're kidding themselves. Yuel plays like a 19 year old but is actually 27. Would honestly rather give Josh Mori another go, who is in good form at NPL level. How far off is Jovanovic? -------------------------------------------------- As for the semi itself, I think City will get it done, there is just too much quality. It'll only take a moment for Goodwin to change that, or Glover to give a gift but on balance City should have the quality as they have had all year.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i cant see western scoring once, let alone twice to beat victory. the city adelaide game is a bit more even balanced , but i'd give city a 70% chance to go through (all the pressure is on them now) home match and havent played 3 games in 7 days like adelaide, kisnorbos been very wound up in his media duties this week - wonder if the pressure is slowly getting to him nothing new to report injury wise with adelaide and judging from training earlier this week, it looks like they will play the same way. i do have some news in terms of players that are confirmed at not being at the club next year, but i cant reveal just yet - have been put on a short leash in terms of revealing news now lol ex newcastle jet valentino yuels agent, has been in touch - about the possibility of returning home to adelaide though