Robbie Slater: A-Leagues semi finals in the air as Postecoglou faces toughest challenge
It is now or never in the A-League semi finals, which hang in the balance. Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde run the rule over the match-ups in a tough week for former A-League coaches, including Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou.
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It is now or never in the A-League semi finals with both results in the balance as they ehead into the second legs.
Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde assess how the semi finals could play out, and a tough week for three former A-League coaches - including Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou.
RS: It’s all to play for the A-League semi-finals this weekend. What I like is that both games are in the balance heading into the second-legs. All four teams have a legitimate chance of reaching the grand final.
MM: That’s true, and what’s also terrific is that both matches are set to be played in front of sell-out crowds. It’s what the A-League needs after a rough season. Who are you tipping to reach the grand final?
RS: Well the Mariners and the Phoenix will start as deserved favourites in their respective matches but it won’t be a surprise if Sydney FC and the Victory progress to the decider.
Working against Sydney is the unavailability of the injured Joe Lolley and suspended pair Jack Rodwell and Corey Hollman.
Lolley and Rodwell are particularly big losses because of their class and big-match experience.
However, I’m sure coach Ufuk Talay will bring the best out of the Sky Blues, and let’s not forget that Sydney was the only team to beat the Mariners twice during the regular season, with one of those wins coming in Gosford.
The Sky Blues will know that as long as they can win by a goal in normal time, it will be enough to send the contest to extra-time.
MM: They can definitely spoil the Mariners’ party but the Central Coast boys are on such a roll at the moment. As we’ve talked about so often, what the Mariners have done this season has been remarkable. The ultimate fairytale would be for them to complete the treble by winning the A-League championship. However, if the Phoenix were to win the title, that would also be somewhat of a fairytale.
RS: Yes, the Phoenix have also had a great season, and have done things their way. We all know how defensively strong they are and I can’t see that changing on Saturday against the Victory. Being the home team this weekend, they might show a bit more in attack, particularly with the contest being locked at 0-0 after the first leg.
MM: Yeah, I guess the onus is on the Phoenix to attack with perhaps more intent than they did last weekend but it would hardly be a surprise if extra-time, and maybe even penalties, are needed to decide a winner in Wellington.
I’m hoping that the Victory start with Daniel Arzani after he came off the bench last Sunday.
He could prove the difference with a moment of class.
CHAMPIONS LOOKING FOR WORK
RS: There are now two A-League title-winning coaches looking for jobs next season after Nick Montgomery was sacked by Scottish club Hibs this week.
Of course, Patrick Kisnorbo is the other one, and both could be coaching again in the A-League next season.
MM: Neither achieved coaching success in Europe. Both did great jobs with their clubs in the A-League, particularly Montgomery on a small budget at the Mariners.
Guiding them to the title was a superb effort, and his replacement Mark Jackson has taken things to another level there. Do you think Montgomery’s stocks have fallen at all because of what happened at Hibs?
RS: Definitely not in Australia. It’s another world over there when it comes to football. I’ve got no doubt Montgomery, and Kisnorbo, will succeed again in the A-League.
MM: Well there’s at least one job on offer after Marko Rudan parted ways with the Wanderers.
RS: Yes, we wish Marko all the best in what’s a difficult time for his family.
It’s a reminder that there are bigger things in life than football, and I’m also sure that we haven’t seen the last of him as a coach.
MM: Definitely. He did well to get the Wanderers to the finals series last season for the first time in many years, and there was no doubting his passion for the club and the region.
We wish him and his family all the best.
INTERSTING WEEK FOR ANGE
RS: Ange Postecoglou has had an interesting week. I’m glad he has stuck to his guns.
Why would fans want their team to lose in any circumstances?
It’s just crazy.
I was in a similar situation at Blackburn when we won the EPL title in 1995. We were playing Liverpool on the last day of the season.
A Liverpool win, coupled with a win by arch-rivals Manchester United over West Ham, would have led to United winning the title.
At no stage did Liverpool ever contemplate letting us win, and they beat us.
Thankfully West Ham did us a favour by holding United to a draw, which meant the title was ours.
MM: It would be a shame if Spurs slipped up against Sheffield United this weekend to potentially allow Chelsea to displace them from fifth spot, but I can’t see it happening.
RS: It won’t.
Spurs will secure fifth, which will earn them a spot in next season’s Europa League.
While a top-four spot and a Champions League berth would have been nice, there’s no doubt in my mind that Ange’s first season at Tottenham should be regarded as successful considering where they finished last season.
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