SOCCER
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
BATHURST soccer graduates Archie Thompson and Rhyan Grant will have A-League glory on their mind this weekend as they and their team-mates play for a spot in this year’s decider.
Thompson’s Melbourne Victory will be facing cross-town rivals Melbourne City in a much anticipated derby semi-final tonight while tomorrow evening Grant’s Sydney FC take on Adelaide United.
Both players are back after a week’s break thanks to their sides finishing in the top two spots on the ladder during the regular season.
Time will tell whether the rest has done more harm than good.
Victory will feel confident going into the match at Etihad Stadium, a location where they have twice defeated City this season.
A crowd of over 45,000 are expected to turn out for the derby.
“It’s great to see how much Melbourne City have come on this year and Melbourne Victory really are the strongest team in the competition in many ways,” A-League chief Damien de Bohun said.
“To have them playing off is huge and tickets are flying out the door on the back of that.”
Every minute could be one to savour for Thompson, who currently does not hold a contract for next season.
Victory secured the premier’s plate thanks to just four losses in the regular season, but they will be very aware that one of those was dealt by City last December.
Thompson’s team come into the match on the back of four wins from their last five matches.
Grant’s side head into their semi-final with the same record, but their most recent loss came against the very team they face tomorrow – Adelaide.
The sky blues have been beaten in all three outings against the Reds at Allianz Stadium this season – twice in the A-League and once in the FFA Cup.
Despite a relentless attack in their last clash last month, Adelaide gloveman Eugene Galekovic pulled out a stellar display to deny Sydney and help his side to a 1-0 win.
But far from harbouring hard feelings, Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold wants to thank Josep Gombau’s men, with Sydney going on to finish the regular season with three straight wins.
“Afterwards five or six of their players came and didn’t apologise but said ‘We had balaclavas on tonight and we robbed you’,” Arnold said.
“But we learned a lesson and I probably have to thank Adelaide for that, because we went back to the drawing board and saw that we weren’t ruthless enough in front of goal and we had to get back to our defending basics.
“Since that loss we haven’t been defeated.”