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Talking points ... week 1 of the A-League finals didn't disappoint. Source:News Limited
The first weekend of the new-look sudden death A-League finals series lived up to expectations, with a drama-charged Victory-Glory clash before the champions proved they aren't giving up their crown without a fight.
Friday April 12
Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar
Parramatta Stadium, 7.30pm
Sunday April 14
Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory
Bluetongue Stadium, 5pm
Winners to play in the grand final
A-League finals are just packed with drama and talking points and Friday night's clash between Victory and Glory was no exception.
"I thought the Melbourne Victory penalty wasn't a penalty and I didn't think it was a hand ball either," Mark Bosnich said on Sunday Shootout.
"But … once you put your hands on a player in the penalty box, you leave it up to the referee to make that call.
"For me, no penalty ... but defenders … when someone's got their back to goal, put your hands out to the side. He's not going anywhere."
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As for Steve Pantelidis's red-card, Bosnich added: "I don't think Jarred Gillett had to send him off. How do you expect him (Pantelidis) to react in a massive game when he's just received a decision he doesn't like.
"He is going to be fuming because he doesn't think it's a penalty. I'm very, very disappointed about that."
Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill, a guest on the show, said: "every now and then you wish (A-League referees) would take an extra second or two to control themselves and ... realise how much (a decision) influences the game".
The last-gasp drama has dominated the analysis, but Victory were strangely subdued for a long period of the game - a lot to do with Alistair Edward's well organised, determined and sharp Glory outfit.
Connor Pain, Archie Thompson and Marco Rojas were well contained for the most part, as Victory couldn't conjure their swashbuckling width or movement.
Glory, meanwhile, were clever, marshalled expertly by Jacob Burns and Liam Miller.
They punctuated Victory's rhythm and as the home side tried to rouse themselves for a comeback, the stop-start nature of the game did not suit them at all.
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But when it comes to finals football we can start to call Ange Postecoglou "Sir Alex" for the way his Victory and Roar teams never give up at the final stages.
Sure, it should have been all over when Smeltz, one of the A-League's great marksman, rattled the bar from the penalty spot.
"I made a schoolboy error I think, in just as I was about to take the penalty, something caught my concentration to the left," Smeltz admitted after the match.
But you sensed there was more to come at Etihad Stadium.
And so another A-League final came to the party; Gillett falls further down Jacob Burns's Christmas card list and Mark Milligan gets his chance to show his mettle with the season on the line.
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Marcos Flores added a new dimension and it's fitting that vintage Victory prized Glory open when the game was on the line. Thompson resumed his role on the left and it was the Argentine, with the ball in his own half, who unleashed Rojas, before the fleet-footed Kiwi laid it on a tee for Thompson to prod home.
"I thought that game was over but when they missed that penalty there was always an opportunity for us to score," Thompson said.
"You see how (Victory coach) Ange (Postecoglou) has won his grand finals the last two years, in extra time or with a minute to go.
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"The goal was one of the highlights of my career. We were pretty much down and out and to come back like we did was amazing."
And don't tell the coach, on the cusp of a third-straight grand final, that Victory were lucky.
"You saw out there at the end of that game, 22 players were absolutely spent. To get a win in that kind of scenario, it's never lucky," Ange Postecoglou said.
"Finals always end up being tense, tight affairs, and that's what makes them so special and so hard to win.
"To win a finals game, every player out there, regardless of how they're feeling, are going to give every ounce of energy and more.
"It was a ridiculous finish, but I've been involved with those before.
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"In finals games, the most important thing is that you've got your nose in front at the final whistle - whichever way you can. And we got our nose in front."
As for Glory, they're left thinking what might have been for a second season in a row.
"I think last year I held my tongue when decisions went the wrong way that were clearly wrong," skipper Jacob Burns said.
"But this time I honestly don't understand how a referee like Jarred Gillett gets our game again and how he can make such poor judgment once again."
Not only a great escape by Postecoglou's side – but by Rojas, too, as Thompson wielded the corner flag in celebration!
Get set. The champions are taking on the champions-elect for the right to play in the grand final.
Brisbane came out of the blocks looking every bit the 'dark horses' that they've been anointed ahead of this finals series and the home side were left behind at Hindmarsh Stadium.
"The way they played in the first-half I haven't seen them play as well all year," Bosnich said.
"Any team will be fearful of meeting them.
"They were outstanding in the first-half. Absolutely on fire."
The signs of the Roar in form where there early: Thomas Broich slipping into the left channel, Shane Steffanuto overlapping, before drilling the ball for Besart Berisha, probing in the box.
Roar were fluid, a rejuvenated Mitch Nichols added plenty of punch and Steve Lustica had a controlling influence over proceedings.
"That's probably the best we've played this season – first-half," Mulvey told Fox Sports after the match.
"We've got momentum … it's really important at this time of year. You can't just flick it on and off We came out with belief and focus. The quality was there for all to see."
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And it was a night Cassio will not remember fondly.
After Brisbane's brilliantly-executed corner - Broich floating it for Luke Brattan to confidently volley on goal - the Brazilian fluffed a clearance to swing the ball into the net. He was then beaten to the punch by Ivan Franjic just before half-time off a pin-point ball from Mitch Nichols from the left flank.
"(It's a) big difference when Mitch Nichols plays … they look a far more creative unit … in finals football, you're not going to win anything by going out to keep a clean sheet.
"You've got to create chances."
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Adelaide certainly came out flying in the second term but it wasn't until Dario Vidosic's first-goal from open-play this term that Adelaide breathed belated, frantic life into the game.
The way these A-League finals swing and turn it wouldn't have even surprised to see Eugene Galekovic prod home a late equaliser for the home side.
But the final flurry came after the game looked like petering out. Mike Mulvey will be furious with Ben Halloran, Mitch Nichols and Stefan Nijland's lax approach in the final third over the final 15 minutes of the match.
It's a short turn-around for the Roar and they'll be sweating on Broich's fitness. He picked up an Achilles knock and couldn't feature in the second-half. Luke Brattan (calf) also hobbled off, while Jack Hingert is in grave doubt with an ankle injury.
In the end, it was about momentum. Adelaide had none at all. Brisbane have it.
"(Wanderers-Brisbane) could go to penalties, Neil said. Maybe Brisbane. They've got the momentum," Neil said.
