Semi-Finals LIVE: Team news lands as Phoenix host Victory in first ...

The 2024 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Finalists will be determined on Saturday, May 18 as the second leg Semi-Finals take place in front of sellout crowds in Wellington and Gosford.

Up first it’s Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory at Sky Stadium (4.30pm AEST kick-off). The two sides drew 0-0 in the first leg as the action resumes with the tie hung perfectly in the balance.

Then, it’s Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC at Industree Group Stadium (7.45pm AEST kick-off). The Mariners beat Sydney FC 2-1 away from home in the first leg and take the advantage back to Gosford as Mark Jackson’s side pursue a second-consecutive Grand Final appearance.

Read on for pre-game build-up, team news and broadcast details ahead of a massive evening in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory Sky Stadium – Saturday, May 18 – 4.30pm AEST

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Wellington’s fairytale season continues on Saturday, as the Phoenix side host their first Isuzu UTE A-League Semi-Final at Sky Stadium since 2012, where the first sell-out in club history crowd is expected for the second-leg showdown with Melbourne Victory.

The tie is deadlocked at 0-0 with a place in the May 25 Grand Final up for grabs.

Led by rookie head coach Giancarlo ‘Chiefy’ Italiano, the Phoenix have defied the odds having been tipped to finish bottom of the standings by some pundits. They have gone on to end the regular season second in the standings while breaking club records along the way.

Standing in the way of the high-flying Phoenix are four-time champions Victory.

Victory finished 11 points behind Wellington in third position during the regular season, but the Melbourne club are no strangers to the big stage having won four Championships previously, though they have not claimed the crown since 2018.

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Victory have lost the second leg of a two-legged finals match in the A-League Men only once from four attempts (W2 D1); though, that defeat came in their most recent second leg against Western United in 2022.

But Tony Popovic’s Victory have not beaten Wellington in their four meetings this season (L1 D3); in the two previous meetings before last week’s first leg stalemate, late goals decided the contests.

A 90th-minute penalty from Alex Rufer salvaged a 1-1 draw for 10-man Wellington in January, while a 95th-minute own goal gave the Phoenix a 1-0 triumph in April.

Team news

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Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC Industree Group Stadium – Saturday, May 18 – 7.45pm AEST

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Central Coast Mariners are in the box seat to progress to the Grand Final thanks to goals from Josh Nisbet and Mikael Doka that helped them see off a nine-man Sky Blues side in the opening leg of this Semi-Final tie.

Sydney had both Jack Rodwell and Corey Hollman sent off at Allianz Stadium last week, and the two players will miss the return leg in Gosford.

No team in Isuzu UTE A-League history has ever won a Premiership or Championship after losing the first four games of a season, and Mark Jackson’s Mariners have already ticked off one.

For five-time champions Sydney FC to reach the decider, they must overturn a first-leg deficit without some key personnel.

Rodwell and Hollman are both suspended, while Joe Lolley will miss the remainder of the season due to injury.

Only three times in Isuzu UTE A-League history has any team won the second leg of a two-legged finals match after losing the first (Western United v Melbourne Victory in 2022, Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets in 2008, Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC in 2007).

As Sydney prepare for their 30th finals game in the competition, equalling Adelaide United (30) for the joint-most of any club in the history of the Isuzu UTE A-League, head coach Ufuk Talay said: “At the end of the day there are things that you can control as a coach and injuries and suspensions are not one of them.

“It’s a little bit like we have our backs against the wall with the injuries and suspensions but this provides the opportunity for other players to step up and enjoy the occasion.

“These things happen and that is why you have a squad and you rely on the depth of that squad and I think we have quality players to come in and step up.”

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