The top six finals places have been locked in after a final weekend of the men’s A-League Men season, with the Premiers’ Plate to be decided in the final game of the season.
Sydney FC have made sure of a home Elimination Final after an emphatic 7-1 victory over Perth Glory at Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The impressive victory led by braces from Robert Mak and Joe Lolley sees the Sky Blues move up to fourth place and earns them hosting rights for a cut-throat Elimination Final against Macarthur FC on Saturday May 4 at Allianz Stadium.
Melbourne City have clinched sixth spot to set up a mouth-watering Melbourne derby in the other Elimination Final.
Needing all three points against Western United to move back into the top six, City went ahead with a first half goal from Jamie Maclaren and held on to secure a 1-0 win and a trip to the finals series.
Despite going down in a seven-goal thriller at home to Western Sydney Wanderers, Melbourne Victory have claimed third spot and a home Elimination Final.
The first Melbourne derby finals showdown in nine years will be held at 7pm (NZT) on Sunday May 5 at AAMI Park.
The Premiers’ Plate will be decided in the final game of the season, after the top two sides — Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix — recorded victories over the weekend to extend the regular season drama into May.
The Mariners moved to within a point of claiming the Premiers’ Plate after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the Newcastle Jets.
With the scores level heading into the last ten minutes, a wonder strike from midfielder Harrison Steele and a close-range finish from Ryan Edmonson sealed the three points. The Mariners now only need a draw in their final game of the season this Wednesday against Adelaide United to seal the Premiers’ Plate.
For the Phoenix, their 3-0 victory over Macarthur FC via goals from Kosta Barbarouses, Tim Payne and Oskar Zawada could still see them crowned Premiers.
READ MORE: More milestones tumble as Wellington Phoenix end regular season on a high >>>>
Defeat for Central Coast Mariners on Wednesday will see the Phoenix collect the Premiers’ Plate — their first-ever piece of silverware.
Despite the loss to Wellington, other results across the weekend saw the Bulls finish in fifth place and secure a spot in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men Finals Series for the first time in three years.
Main photo credit: Natural Light Photography Company.
Standings
The Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2024 Finals Series kicks off next weekend with two Elimination Finals, with the winners facing Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix in two-legged semi-finals for the right to play off in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2024 Grand Final on Saturday May 25, 2024.
Tickets for both Elimination Finals will go on sale at 11am (NZT) on Monday April 29 for home and away club members, followed by the general public on sale at 11am (NZT) on Tuesday April 30 via www.ticketek.com.au
Tickets for both semi-final second legs will go on sale at 11am (NZT) on Monday April 29 for home team club members, with general public tickets going on sale at 11am (NZT) on Tuesday May 7 for the Central Coast Mariners home semi -final and on Thursday May 2 at 1pm (NZT) for the Wellington Phoenix home semi-final.
Tickets for both the semi-finals and Elimination Finals will be available via www.ticketek.com.au with kids tickets from $15, adults from $25, and families from $50.
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