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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jonathan Howcroft

A-League semi-finals: Melbourne City 2-0 Western United; Sydney FC 2-0 Perth Glory – as it happened

Adam Le Fondre
Adam Le Fondre celebrates scoring for Sydney FC against Perth Glory at Bankwest Stadium. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Summary

Thank you for joining me tonight. It’s been a long old stint watching the two semis back-to-back, but we got there in the end.

Time to look ahead to Sunday’s grand final, which, for a change, is one v two on the ladder. Will Sydney FC continue their incredible run and make history? Or is it time for Melbourne City to finally get the monkey off their back? We’ll be right here to find out - you should join us.

Sydney FC deserve the victory for their first-half performance, but Perth Glory deserve plenty of credit for fighting until the death and taking the game to the Sky Blues in the final half-hour. Steve Corica will be delighted to have arrested a run of poor results, but he’ll be disappointed with the dip in intensity in the second-half and how weary his side looked in the closing stages.

Popovic must bemoan his lack of squad depth, having to patch together a starting XI of his available senior players with little to call on off the bench when the game might have been there for the taking. The coach can also not legislate for such a shocking error from his goalkeeper for Sydney’s crucial second goal.

It wasn’t a classic semi-final, neither was the first. Caution got the better of all four sides after the high tempo of the last few matches of the regular season.

Sydney FC 2-0 Perth Glory

Sydney FC will take on Melbourne City in Sunday’s A-League grand final.

Sydney FC
Sydney FC celebrate reaching the A-League grand final. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

90+2 mins: Fornaroli blazes over, leaning back and firing from a narrow angle just inside the box. Sydney just about there.

90+1 mins: Into four minutes of added time.

89 mins: The bounce of the ball has favoured Perth outside the box, inviting them to take the game on in these latter stages, but once they near the danger zone there always seems to be a Sydney toe or enough bodies around to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity. Fornaroli continues to try to go it alone in tight spaces, but for all his endeavour his task is a thankless one.

87 mins: After controlling Fornaroli all night, Wilkinson finally concedes the trademark free-kick, bringing the Uruguayan to ground with the forward attempting to roll off his defender. That leads to a free-kick inside the D - that Fornaroli places wide of the left-hand post with Redmayne well in control anyway. That felt like Glory’s last opportunity to keep the pressure on the Sky Blues.

83 mins: Perth continue to probe through Juande, Kilkenny and Franjic, but there isn’t an abundance of craft around the box with a lot being asked of Fornaroli individually.

81 mins: There’s a delay in play while Brattan receives treatment after feeling the pointy end of Kilkenny’s elbow in an aerial duel.

Updated

79 mins: Credit to Perth this second half. Popovic’s tactical shift to push Juande into midfield has worked, and they have really grown into the contest, dominating the past 15-20 minutes.

76 mins: Fornaroli hits the post out of nothing! The Uruguayan gets the ball to feet inside the box, he rolls Wilkinson, but wide to the right, then unfurls an absolute rocket with his right boot, from almost on the byline, and it beats Redmayne for power, clips the near post, fizzing against the far! What an effort.

Corica has seen enough. Ivanovic and Baumjohann are on for Ninkovic and Le Fondre.

Updated

73 mins: Sydney have dropped their tempo in the past ten or so minutes, so it’s a relief to Steve Corica to see Ninkovic nick the ball in transition and almost free Le Fondre, earning a corner. There’s no hurry to take it though, and after sending the ball back into midfield the attacking opportunity peters out tamely with an overhit cross.

The Sky Blues could be sleepwalking into a spot of bother if they’re not careful.

71 mins: Perth are seeing plenty of ball now with Juande and Kilkenny controlling the base of midfield and Franjic a consistent release ball on the right. They use that combination to earn a corner down the right that is worked neatly to the far post for Tratt to become a menace, then Fornaroli gets in on the act, and there’s another corner, this time on the left.

69 mins: For all their dominance, Sydney FC are starting to look a little rough around the edges and may benefit from a pair or two of fresh legs.

66 mins: If there is life, it’ll need Andrew Wilkinson to drop his game considerably. The veteran has been outstanding tonight, slipping Fornaroli in his pocket early on and keeping him there.

64 mins: And then chaos at the other end! Sydney’s defence goes walkabout for the first time tonight and Perth throw bodies at the ball, watching it ricochet around the box without falling to a purple shirt. Ingham and Fornaroli both go close after Redmayne came and failed to collect Kilkenny’s teasing cross. From the second phase Chianese shot wide after finding himself on the shoulder of the last defender. Could there still be life in this?

62 mins: Brattan blasts over from just inside the box - he should do much better - after the latest demonstration of Sydney’s discreet pass-and-move. When they get the ball down and play they are cutting through Glory’s midfield with ease.

61 mins: A lot of half-chances for attacking transition in midfield but one turnover begets another and neither side can mount a sustained spell of pressure.

Meredith off, Ingham on, for Perth.

58 mins: Speculative shot from Caceres from outside the box is well held by Reddy. Sydney are passing their way from one end to the other with unobtrusive regularity.

57 mins: Sydney continue to probe though - Le Fondre down the left, Ninkovic darting into the box, keeping Glory’s defence on its toes and the ball a long way from Redmayne’s goal. That 2-0 lead looks more than enough right now.

55 mins: Perth are more fluid in possession with Juande in midfield, but there remains a lack of guile in the final third. On a few occasions this half the ball has gone forward at pace, only to be shifted wide to the right to Franjic for a standing-start cross that is easy to read.

At the other end Sky Blue shirts are darting every which way and a chance would have emerged but for a poor decision from Barbarouses.

53 mins: Tratt’s dodgy start continues with a yellow card for a blatant tug on Le Fondre’s shirt in transition.

52 mins: Sydney’s neat ball-players have dovetailed well tonight, Caceres among them, and they make some neat triangles down the right, forcing Perth’s defence to be on guard for a number of phases before one pass too many goes long.

49 mins: Tratt’s first act is to slice a rank clearance with the outside of his left boot that almost lets in Barbarouses. Le Fondre then gets a good sniff of goal but Elrich executes a perfect sliding challenge. Then at the other end Chianese is sent through by Fornaroli, only for the elimination final goalscorer to steer his shot wide! Replays suggest he’d have been flagged for offside had it gone in, but still...

46 mins: Perth start the half brightly, moving the ball neatly from back to front but when they reach the edge of the box Wilkinson stands his ground and robs Fornaroli one-on-one.

I’m not going to lie, I’m flagging a bit. I had a hot chocolate between matches but now I’m having a bit of a comedown. There better not be extra-time.

Anyway, the teams are out ready for the second half. And Perth have made a change, Tratt is on for Malik, which means Juande will, belatedly, push up into midfield.

We are in an era of golden oldies.

Updated

Half-time: Sydney FC 2-0 Perth Glory

Sydney have one foot in the grand final. Hard to see Perth dragging this one out of the fire based on that first-half performance and what is at Popovic’s disposal on the bench.

Liam Reddy
Liam Reddy endured a horror moment as Sydney FC went 2-0 up. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

45 mins: Turnover in midfield, but when Brimmer looks up there’s nobody to turn to. Eventually Franjic offers support on the right but there aren’t enough bodies in the box for his cross to cause any danger. Glory do well to keep the ball alive as Sydney drop into a low block, but that takes all the sting out of the threat. This is going to be a struggle for Tony Popovic. He doesn’t have the cattle to pick through Sydney’s defence, but neither does there seem a willingness to commit bodies forward in transition.

43 mins: Brimmer, then Juande, could both go into the book, and the latter does for a heavy challenge on Barbarouses that was signposted like the Hollywood hills.

40 mins: More superb hustle from Sydney forces Perth into an error near their own area. From the initial turnover Barbarouses overhits his lay-off to the onrushing Ninkovic, but the clearance doesn’t go far before Brattan is fouled. The free-kick, in shooting range, is absolutely horrible. Instead of going for goal there’s an intricate routine that does not come off.

39 mins: Better from Perth, zipping the ball around on the edge of the box until Franjic wraps his boot around it and sends over a cross that McGowan defuses effectively, if unconventionally, on his knees.

37 mins: Perth have threatened from set-pieces and from another Kilkenny corner they win the first header, allowing Malik a snapshot from the penalty spot, but it lacks power and Sydney escape.

35 mins: The past ten minutes or so have been characterised by the press of Sydney’s front three. It forced the second goal, and it has raised the tempo, making Perth’s defenders and keeper jittery. That urgency should fashion a decent opportunity but Le Fondre slipper trying to turn quickly on this difficult surface.

33 mins: Ninkovic is great, isn’t he? One of those footballers who improves when you’re pitchside and really able to appreciate his movement off the ball and how good his one-touch passing is. That said, I wish he’d get a haircut that he didn’t have to keep swishing from one side of his forehead to the other every second minute.

30 mins: That only gets worse for Reddy the more you look at it. He has a touch, then a second to shift it out of his feet, seemingly oblivious to the threat.

Meanwhile Retre is booked for hauling down Brimmer after the former Liverpool man picked the former Melbourne Victory man’s pocket. The resulting free-kick is swung in dangerously and requires a Retre header to flick the ball away from Juande. The corner that follows is headed clear, but only as far as Franjic just inside the box and he goes the full Tommy Deng but misses the target by a country mile.

GOAL! Sydney FC 2-0 Perth Glory (Le Fondre, 28)

Oh dear, poor Liam Reddy. Long ball into the right corner from Sydney that looks to be no harm whatsoever but Barbarouses chases down the lost cause, forcing a pass back to the Perth keeper, but he doesn’t control instantly, inviting Le Fondre to continue the hunt, and the Englishman then leaps into a tackle and toe-pokes the ball softly into the empty net with Reddy, well, red-faced.

Liam Reddy
Liam Reddy isn’t the only thing in the back of the net. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Updated

27 mins: Sydney continue to press, and a teasing ball form Brattan has to be turned behind by Franjic for a corner. Nothing comes of it.

26 mins: That will be good for the spectacle, open things up a bit.

GOAL! Sydney FC 1-0 Perth Glory (Ninkovic, 24)

Out of nowhere Sydney are ahead. Retre pushes the ball into the box towards the feet of Le Fondre that Mrcela should intercept. All he can manage is a toe-end and that ricochets off Elrich and into the path of the fortunate Ninkovic who keeps his cool and sidefoots beyond Reddy.

Updated

22 mins: When the ball is in dispute there’s plenty of commitment from both teams to win it back, but once possession has been established the pace disappears and one side is happy to stroke the ball around while the other drops off.

20 mins: Ooooh! Unlucky Sydney. Le Fondre does well to dink over a cross with his left foot. The first header is cleared, but only as far as Caceres, who volleys left-footed on the edge of the six-yard box and he can only hit Juande when the goal was begging, Best chance of the match so far, but the finish lacked conviction.

18 mins: Sydney are defending as deep as they dare to lengthen the pitch, they’re also playing out from the back bravely to make sure they’re using every inch of Bankwest Stadium. Still they can’t piece their way beyond the Popovic web.

16 mins: Scrappy few passages of play in midfield. The high tempo of the regular season has been replaced by the cagey cat-and-mouse of finals.

14 mins: Glory are now starting to get their foot on the ball, stringing a few passes together in midfield with Kilkenny involved orchestrating things. Fornaroli then does well to time the ball in behind for Brimmer to run on to at pace, but his cutback is blocked.

12 mins: Sydney still on top here, and they’re committing more bodies than usual to their phases of possession. It’s still pretty stodgy though with Perth defending in numbers and happy to just take the sting out of the contest.

9 mins: Unpopular opinion, that may haunt me - as good a player as Fornaroli is, I’m unconvinced he’s an asset to many teams. His style of play since his serious injury completely dictates his side’s attacking set up, and without rapid pace around him everything feels very formulaic and predictable. He’s not going to beat anybody for pace, but his standing means he’s going to be offered every opportunity to shoot, regardless of teammates in better situations.

6 mins: And almost the same route to goal generates almost the same outcome, except this time it’s Ninkovic forcing the nearpost save and Caceres delivering the cutback.

Perth have hardly touched the ball, and don’t seem remotely bothered about it, focussed almost entirely on retaining their defensive shape. Their out-ball is the clearance to Fornaroli, in the hope of buying a foul around halfway. After losing the physical battle on a couple of occasions the Uruguayan is eventually handed the advantage by Alex King the referee.

4 mins: This is walking football. Like a prize fight with both sluggers just shadow boxing to get their heart rates up.

Until it isn’t! And as soon as the pace is upped Sydney almost score. Brattan and Caceres link well down the right and the former gets to the byline and makes the cutback for Barbarouses to peel off a snapshot from a narrow angle that Reddy does well to smother.

2 mins: Sydney just passing it amongst themselves for two minutes like it’s a really big, really slow rondo. Liven up fellas.

Peeeeeeeeeeep! (II)

Semi-final two is underway. Who will take on Melbourne City on Sunday?

Out come Perth, top to toe in purple. And they’re joined by Sydney in their sky blue jerseys with navy trim.

And what’s that? Some authentic crowd noise in the background! Huzzah! A few thousand socially distanced Sydney fans are in Bankwest Stadium, and they are making a welcome racket.

This is a lovely bit of trivia.

I know I’m old and out of touch, but Wales’ hair since the restart has been gopping.

Kilkenny on the other hand, and his resemblance to Rob Brydon, I wonder if he could find Diego Castro in the WA bush and reenact The Trip?

Perth only have three men in their starting XI under 30, and two of those (Malik and Mrcela) hit that milestone in a few weeks. Jake Brimmer, at 22, is the odd man out.

Updated

Nooooooooo! No extra-time, and no penalties please! It’s already close to my bedtime.

Perth Glory XI

Two changes for Perth Glory with the experienced James Meredith preferred to Dane Ingham at left wingback, and Osama Malik replacing Kristian Popovic in a switch that will see Juande return to midfield after being press-ganged into defence against Wellington.

In contrast to the options at Corica’s disposal, Tony Popovic doesn’t have much to turn to on his bench if he wants to shake things up.

Sydney FC XI

Two names stand out in Sydney’s starting XI: Joel King, the teenager in for the injured Michale Zullo at fullback, and Anthony Caceres, preferred to Alex Baumjohann in attacking midfield. Steve Corica told Fox Sports Caceres’ selection was based on form since the restart.

Handy bench at Corica’s disposal, with Buhagiar’s pace and Ivanovic’s fearlessness alongside Baumjohann’s class.

Kick-off is 8.10pm (thank God there was no extra-time in semi one) which means there’s time to read Simon Hill’s scene setter about the historic importance of Sydney FC’s campaign.

Don’t forget to drop me a line if you’re following along. Perth Glory are keeping an eye on things, and they’re clearly* the greatest team in the A-League.

*They may not be the greatest team in the A-League, but I am easily bought.

Sydney FC v Perth Glory - Preamble

Now for semi-final number two…

Based on the ladder this shouldn’t even be a contest. Sydney had the premiership sewn up by about round eight (they won 15 of their opening 18 matches!) while Perth only snuck into the finals by a point, taking only 13 out of a possible 39 points since the middle of January.

But Glory, in the image of their coach, are nothing if not resilient. They executed their gameplan superbly against Wellington in their elimination final, and can now head into tonight’s contest as dangerous underdogs. You can be certain Popovic has a tailor made strategy for the Sky Blues too, and despite being undermanned and lacking fluidity going forward, you wouldn’t bet against another upset.

Neil Kilkenny will be of great significance to Perth tonight. The leader and organiser in midfield, it will be his job to make sure Sydney’s schemers are denied time and space in dangerous areas. He is also responsible for set-pieces, which may prove to be his side’s best route of attack in a game tin which hey’re likely to be on the back for long periods.

While a strong case can now be made for Perth’s progress, if Sydney turn up it really shouldn’t be a contest. For four years they’ve been the competition’s benchmark, recruiting smartly, planning for the medium-term, and applying a clear methodology to their football. From back to front they are unit tailored to win A-League matches, with the only concerns being a lack of squad depth, and perhaps a fragility in midfield since the departure of Brandon O’Neill in January.

But, for whatever reason, Steve Corica’s outfit comes into tonight’s match in its poorest run of form since 2016. They ended the season without a win in five matches, a run that totals just two wins in ten if including matches before the hiatus. The machine is not running smoothly.

Sydney’s superb attacking quartet of Milos Ninkovic, Adam Le Fondre, Kosta Barabrouses and Alex Baumjohann will dominate much of the analysis, and for good reason, but Sydney’s wobble has its origin further back. The cornerstone of their success under Graham Arnold and then Corica was the dual midfield pivot of O’Neill and Josh Brillante. Both have left, and neither have been replaced. Luke Brattan is an excellent player in his own right, but his skillset is perhaps not what the Sky Blues require from a defensive screen, while whoever plays alongside him, be it Paolo Retre or Anthony Caceres, is a further step down in quality. Sydney now look gettable in transition and lack that ability to pen sides into their own half with wave after wave of attacks.

However, they have lost this match-up just once in their last 15, and with 11 days to prepare, they should be cherry ripe for the occasion.

After coming so close last year, is it time for Glory’s day?

Hmmm. Not sure about this. Glover only had two shots from inside the box to save. Granted, one of those was important, but I thought Uskok was outstanding and Lustica and Pasquali both put in excellent shifts.

Just taking in the post-match on TV while thinking about the second semi. Mark Bosnich makes sure he’s heard, doesn’t he?

This was good telly.

City’s grinning players won’t care, but they were second best for most of that 90-minutes. Western United bossed the first half and looked assured in the second until Jamie Maclaren fired City ahead from the spot. From that point the balance of power shifted as United tired, but even then they refused to give in.

Mark Bosnich cites Tom Glover’s save after 59 minutes as the turning point, when City’s gloveman kept out Lustica from point-blank range. For all United’s dominance they didn’t create a host of clear scoring opportunities and after that one went begging there was a sense of it not being their night.

City will have to up their game on Sunday if they’re to lift the championship trophy. They were outgunned in midfield, Delbridge was embarrassed at right-back, ball movement from back to front was stogy, and the final ball - especially from Wales - was often found wanting.

But they live to fight another day. United can leave with their heads held high after a promising debut campaign.

Tomi Uskok
Tomi Uskok shone in defeat for Western United. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Melbourne City 2-0 Western United

Melbourne City are into the A-League grand final.

Jamie Maclaren
Jamie Maclaren fires Melbourne City into the lead. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

90+3 mins: United have gone route one recently, and it has proven dangerous with Uskok sent forward as an auxiliary striker. His presence has unsettled City’s defence, but a shot from the edge of the area scuttles wide.

90+1 mins: Into stoppage time now, with the game frantic and scrappy. Both sides fashion desperate snapshots, but United cannot fashion a clear opportunity and City are just about done.

89 mins: It should be 3-0 with three City attackers streaming forward against two United defenders, but the breakaway is butchered.

87 mins: Harsh on Western United, very harsh.

... and City almost did Heart it up, the back four and goalkeeper not on the same wavelength, ending in a foot race between Berisha and Winbichler with the ball dribbling towards an empty net - a race the Austrian just wins.

Updated

GOAL! Melbourne City 2-0 Western United (Imai og, 84)

Noone with a dangerous inswinging left-footed corner across the six-yard box. It looks destined for Windbichler’s forehead but Imai gets his bonce there first, but he’s in a poor body position, and instead of clearing he plants a firm header into the top corner.

City are into their first A-League grand final.

Tomoki Imai scores in his own net.
Tomoki Imai scores in his own net. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Updated

84 mins: There’s space for City to counterattack into now and another dangerous sortie ends with Luna putting his boot through the ball, only to see it ricochet off a United body and behind for a corner.

82 mins: Pierias is on for United, and he’s immediately into the action, capitalising on a loose ball down the right, but Atkinson is across smartly and robs his former City youth teammate just inside the box. Important tackle.

80 mins: City really starting to boss things now. A simple switch of play - City’s first successful trademark move of the night really - goes from right to left before Noone skips away from his man, feeds Maclaren, who lays off for Luna to thrash a shot from 25m that Kurto saves acrobatically.

78 mins: The wind has been taken from United’s sails since that penalty. City now look the stronger and fitter around the ground.

75 mins: One corner become two in quick succession and the latter is a dangerous delivery that finds Windbichler’s head before Kurto can claim the catch. The header glances wide but Luna can convert it into another chance only for Calver to close the City man down smartly.

Wales is then booked for time-wasting, and not long after subbed for Scott Galloway. Curious change. Galloway a fullback, coming on as a wide man in a front three.

73 mins: Metcalfe’s another player I like. Big strong kid, excellent technique, just lacks a yard of pace - or needs to find that yard of pace in his head (to roll out the Teddy Sheringham cliche) - if he wants to reach the highest level. His first involvement is to play a neat one-touch ball to the feet of Maclaren after a driving run from Wales. Maclaren tries to find space near the penalty spot but there are enough United defenders to force a corner.

71 mins: The scoreline is harsh on United, who have been the better side tonight. It’ll be tough for them to grind their way back into this now considering their fatigue and lack of options on the bench.

69 mins: Couple of subs in amongst the penalty. Connor Pain has gone off for United, presumably a little crocked because he was having a good game, replaced by Josh Cavallo. And Connor Metcalfe has come on for an out of sorts Berenguer for City.

Updated

GOAL! Melbourne City 1-0 Western United (Maclaren pen 68)

Maclaren drills his spot kick low to Kurto’s right. The keeper dived the right way but the ball nestled into the side-netting.

Replays show Maclaren was knocked before he slipped. Pen every day of the week.

Jamie MacLaren slots home.
Jamie MacLaren slots home. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

Updated

PENALTY!

Out of nowhere, Maclaren is tripped in the box and City are gifted an opportunity.

The ball is played to feet of the Socceroo just outside the box. He nips inside and tires to pivot and swivel to create a shooting opportunity, but as he begins the pirouette he slips on the turf, that slip accentuated by Calver’s boot. VAR upholds the on-field call.

65 mins: City try to tease United out with a goal-kick routine from deep, and it almost works, with some rare space between the lines to exploit and Luna fashioning a half-chance from the edge of the box that deflects wide.

63 mins: City look bereft of ideas. There’s no drive when they win turnover possession and United are so well organised that with slow build-up play there are no gaps. Pasquali and Lustica deserve great credit for their industry and discipline in midfield.

61 mins: United clearly the better side tonight. City unable to prevent their out-of-position centre-half at right-back from being exposed, and there’s no cohesion or pace in attacking transition. Mombaerts needs to shake things up.

59 mins: Deary me, City have to do something about Delbridge. Yet again Pain is fed inside-out behind the fullback and it takes another excellent intervention in the middle to block the cross. The attack doesn’t end their though! A dink over from the right teases, then Pain gets another go on the left, before eventually Lustica pounces on the looses ball on the right corner of the six-yard box, drawing an important save from Glover.

56 mins: Wales, Wales, Wales. I warned from the outset that he is a low percentage player to entrust with so much responsibility in the final third. Here he butchers two opportunities in quick succession. The first came after superb work in midfield from Brillante, only for his forward to hit his low cross against United’s lone defender, then his follow-up lofted effort is straight to Kurto. He needs to execute far more regularly.

Brillante is then booked for tugging back Diamanti after the Italian came out on top in a midfield scrap.

54 mins: City try to build up from the back but it’s scruffy, inviting United to disrupt the tempo, and they’re forced into a hopeful release ball to Wales that comes to nought.

The same slow possession again reaches Wales, this time in more space, and he whips over a tasty cross from deep, early, like vintage David Beckham. Maclaren nips in front of his marker but can’t get to the ball.

51 mins: United respond in the only way they know how, by feeding Pain into space behind Delbridge down the left. He cuts the ball back to recycle play and after some neat interplay Diamanti curls over a peach of a cross that walks a tightrope along the six-yard box begging to be headed - and Berisha is there ready to pounce - but Good does brilliantly to hold off his man and glance the ball behind.

United then waste two more corner routines. Their set-pieces have been disappointing considering the quality of taker they have.

49 mins: Superb line-leading from Maclaren to turn Delbridge’s punt into the channel into a promising pass. Wales then fails to accept a much simpler ball and United clear.

City quickly force a turnover on halfway and they have numbers ahead of the ball. From there Noone finds possession on the edge of the box and he swivels neatly to feed Berenguer cutting in dangerously from the left, through his marker like he’s a ghost, cocks fires, and from eight yards out curls his shot miles wide with the goal at his begging. City’s best move and (legal) scoring opportunity of the game.

46 mins: City, much like United in the first half, turn a long kick-off routine into an early corner.

From the direct set piece Good flings himself at the ball but Calver denies him a clear heading opportunity at the ball skews wide.

Asked about his side’s first-half performance, Mark Rudan replied “excellent”.

The teams are back out to resume hostilities.

Six shots in total, only three on target, only one of those from inside the box. City need a rethink.

You’re missing City not turning up.

I’m off for a snack. I’ll leave you with this photo study of kids from the 1970s Appalachian mountains. I found it haunting.

Half-time: Melbourne City 0-0 Western United

A pretty tepid first-half but one Western United had much the better of. Melbourne City well below par in midfield and attack, and Delbridge exposed at right fullback.

Lachlan Wales and Connor Pain
Lachlan Wales and Connor Pain compete for the ball. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

45+1 min: Diamanti hasn’t excelled with his corners so far, and again United waste an attacking opportunity.

44 mins: United again attack down the left and this time, instead of going outside they cut in and Burgess delivers a teasing early ball that curls towards goal - a devil to defend - but City defend it well.

The clearance comes back soon after though, and this time Pain chooses to go around Delbridge as if he wasn’t there. His cross is stood up to the far post but there isn’t a Kappa shirt on the end of it.

Now Wales concedes a corner from near-halfway. This is an odd showing from Melbourne City so far.

42 mins: This better not go to extra-time. It looks destined for extra-time. I might need new fingertips by the end of the second semi if it goes to extra-time.

40 mins: United’s defensive set-up has been superb: the timing of the press, the coordination of movement and blocking of passing lanes, the depth of the back three - all suffocating City and stifling quick ball movement.

37 mins: Good effort from long range from Burgess who enjoys a yard of space after delightful work in tight from Diamanti and the impressive Pasquali. His low drive requires Glover to dive to his left to make the save.

35 mins: United’s out-ball is obvious - wide to the left for Pain, or on this occasion Burgess, to give Delbridge the runaround. Burgess, after being fed by a sumptuous pass from Diamanti, skins Delbridge but another City body covers and pokes the ball out for a corner.

The set-piece is methodical but ineffective and ends with the Italian walloping a volley high and wide.

33 mins: City’s midfield has started pushing up with more purpose, allowing the front three to press aggressively. The outcome is lots of turnover possession around halfway that has yet to turn into attacking phases, but there’s a promising pattern emerging for Mombaerts.

City’s primary vertical pass is aimed towards the space in front of Wales, but Im yet to be convinced that’s the most efficient strategy.

31 mins: From the free-kick City hurl the ball in towards the far pos and earn a corner, which then ends in an Atkinson turnover. City not at their sharpest, but they are starting to get their foot on the ball more frequently.

29 mins: Burgess and Pain link well again down the left but Good and then Berenguer do well to turn defence into attack. The Frenchman has been quiet so far but he finally has space to run into, but after carrying the ball towards the box curls his cross behind his teammates and United clear.

Burgess is then lucky to escape a booking for a late “tactical” foul on Luna.

28 mins: This is one of those matches that needs a proper crowd to add some spice.*

*Insert your own A-League attendance joke here.

26 mins: City have barely threatened all half and a rare interplay from Luna and Maclaren almost ends with a shooting opportunity for the Socceroo but United have enough bodies around to snuff out the threat.

23 mins: Yet again United prosper down the left. Pain once more feeds Burgess and Western build on the edge of the box until a corner eventuates. The set-piece goes short from Diamanti, the ball worked along the edge of the area to Burgess until the playmaker has space to larrup one towards goal with his left boot - and he forces a diving save from Glover that will have stung the palms.

21 mins: That was a very marginal call. Hard to tell if that was Maclaren offside for the original flick-on, or for Wales sprinting onto the pass. VAR had a look and chose not to intervene.

19 mins: There’s a punt downfield, flicked on by Maclaren, and Wales nips in behind from the right and dashes onto the ball, but his touch is a little heavy and Kurto smothers the promising opportunity steaming out from his line. The rebound falls to Maclaren though, and he drills the ball into an empty net! Only for the offside flag to curtail celebrations.

17 mins: United again reach the final third on the left wing, this time courtesy of a glorious crossfield pass form Pasquali. On this occasion Pain feeds Burgess but the latter can’t maximise the opportunity. City’s clearance comes back straight away and ends with Berisha slashing way wide off balance.

15 mins: United continue to offer the most in attacking territory but City keep them at bay despite losing their shape on the right edge of their penalty area.

This is the poorest City have looked since the restart.

13 mins: United have enjoyed the better of the past five or so minutes. That includes Pain speeding beyond Delbridge on the right, but his final ball is a tame square pass to nobody. That is fertile soil for United if they can continue to isolate Pain 1-on-1 with his direct opponent.

11 mins: Berisha has enjoyed another excellent season in front of goal, but his overall play has been not without problems, the major one being his declining pace leading to regular offsides. On this occasion he errs on the side of caution which means a glorious fizzing throughball from Risdon is a few inches ahead of the veteran’s boot. That was almost a goalscoring opportunity.

9 mins: My concerns about the turf are being validated with players slipping around already - only another few hours of football to go. The outcome of one of those slips is a turnover on the edge of United’s box but Calver is alert to block Wales’ drive from a narrow angle.

From the resulting corner Delbridge climbs highest to win the header but it lacks power and Berisha clears.

The clearance falls to Diamanti who is isolated against City’s retreating defence. He tries to go it alone but he’s eventually muscled off the ball.

6 mins: City bringing the training ground to the finals with a patient passing move from one of Bankwest Stadium to the other, the ball touching pretty much every player’s boots at some point along the journey until Luna’s cross is overhit for the predatory Maclaren. Pretty cagey start so far, not the thunderous tempo we’ve become accustomed to.

The referee tonight is Iranian Alireza Faghani, by the way.

4 mins: City enjoy some neat possession, working those short combinations featuring their trademark inverted fullbacks. I’m a big fan of Nathaniel Atkinson on the left. He’s got a mistake in him, but I love how he attacks the game and backs himself.

Max Burgess is challenged by Lachlan Wales.
Max Burgess is challenged by Lachlan Wales. Photograph: Matt King/Getty Images

Updated

2 mins: An early look at that duel mentioned earlier with Pain taking on Delbridge on the left wing and earning a corner inside 30 seconds. From the set-piece Diamanti can’t beat the first man, but from his second effort goes deeper where there’s a header back to a free man just inside the box but Lustica doesn’t get any purchase on his effort. Bright start from United.

I dug out the memo on the United stripes. From the club CEO of the time: “The blacktop of the bitumen with the greenery of our suburbs. It seemed like a perfect combination.” Sure.

Peeeeeeeeeeeeep!

Here we go, semi-final one is underway!

City are top to toe in Puma blue, United in Kappa stripes of black and green - if I remember correctly, chosen to represent the tar of the West Gate and green of the median strips in the suburbs, or something.

Melbourne City form a huddle before kick-off.
Melbourne City form a huddle before kick-off. Photograph: Matt King/Getty Images

Updated

How important is Andrew Durante to Western United?

If you’re tuning in as a neutral and wondering who to support, City are a recently formed team from Melbourne with a small fanbase, and United are a recently formed team from Melbourne with a small fanbase.

The weather is perfect in western Sydney, cool and still with clear skies.

The pitch is not so perfect after hosting a stack of football and rugby league in recent weeks. The elimination finals saw plenty of players losing their footing, and by the night’s second match the turf is unlikely to resemble the manicured carpet such a fixture deserves.

Great to have you on board Alan.

I’ve been impressed with how the clubs have handled their own TV operations since the restart, City and Melbourne Victory in particular have delivered very polished products. Just goes to show how an over the top platform could work, and also how weak the Fox offering has been.

Western United XI

One change for Western United following their elimination final victory, and it’s a big one. Durante has failed to recover from the ankle knock collected against the Roar, meaning Tomi Uskok drops into the back three and Seb Pasquali takes his spot in midfield. That is a massive loss of experience and leadership at the back, but a golden opportunity for the prodigiously talented Pasquali, still only 20, and once the most exciting prospect in Australian football

In better news for United Josh Risdon has been passed fit to start after being under an injury cloud.

At the end of a long and punishing season Mark Rudan has been left with a very callow bench, so if the first-XI doesn’t fire it’ll be Hail Mary time.

Melbourne City XI

City go in as expected with a starting XI that has taken shape as the season has progressed. There’s experience at the back, quality in midfield, and goals in Jamie Maclaren.

To me, Harrison Delbridge at right-back feels a bit of a square peg in a round hole, but in Jamieson’s absence alternatives are not in abundance. Connor Pain’s duel with the the former Appalachian State Mountaineer could be a rare match-up with the potential to favour United.

Further forward Lachie Wales gets the nod on the right of the front three. He has provided an effervescent presence in recent weeks but needs to improve his final ball.

As is so often the case, David Squires’ pen-strokes communicate Diamanti’s Poi Bo magnificence more eloquently than my words possibly could.

After the weekend’s semi-finals I filed a piping hot take that focussed on the brilliant Alessandro Diamanti. He really has been exceptional this season. As a footballer he has demonstrated his class on a weekly basis, but more than that, he’s done it with grace and a generosity of spirit. He’s clearly a fun bloke, and that has counted for plenty in this endless season of doom.

Preamble

Hello everybody and welcome to an A-League semi-final marathon. That’s right, live coverage of Melbourne City v Western United, then Sydney FC v Perth Glory, back-to-back. Semi-final one gets underway at Bankwest Stadium around 5pm, followed by the second at 8.10pm. With extra-time and penalties in play we could be in for a very long and pretty wild ride.

First up we’ve got what, on paper, looks the more attractive of the two fixtures, a Melbourne derby between the competition’s form sides, City and United.

After finishing second on the ladder and defeating United three times already this campaign, City start as clear favourites. Their season has improved the longer it’s progressed and the more time Erick Mombaerts has had to implement his coaching philosophy. The joyless, risk-averse football of Warren Joyce has thankfully been ditched, City now a side that aims to get forward at speed whenever possible. The club’s trademark 4-3-3 now features three out-and-out attackers, as well as two midfielders with license to get forward. Throw in the inverted fullbacks overloading midfield and Mombaerts has concocted an ambitious and sophisticated brew.

The man who knits it all together is Frenchman Florin Berenguer. The graceful midfielder endured a forgettable debut season but he’s blossomed under countryman Mombaerts. Berenguer is responsible for building City’s play and establishing the team’s tempo, spraying passes to the wide forwards and carrying the ball himself when required. His improved output in the second half of the season correlates with City’s improved results.

The other player I want to single out is Nathaniel Atkinson. City are without club captain Scott Jamieson for the finals series while he remains in Victoria to be with his newborn child. While his leadership will be missed, I think City improve with Atkinson in the side, especially offensively. The young Tasmanian is comfortable on either foot - meaning he’s dangerous cutting in from the left and maximising that inverted fullback system - and he’s daring, taking the game on whenever he’s in possession.

For United, simply making an elimination final in their debut campaign counts as success, but it’s testament to the job Mark Rudan has done that his side is now just 180 minutes away from a championship. Expect them to focus on defensive solidity today, especially early on, as they combat the fatigue of the heaviest schedule since the season restart, and a bruising elimination final against Brisbane Roar.

United’s strength is their experience and big-game players. Alessandro Diamanti is a wizard, and if he finds the same time and space afforded to him by Brisbane on Sunday he will hurt any opposition. Ahead of the Italian is Besart Berisha, the human exclamation point, who can an appear a passenger for 89 minutes and still jog off with a hat-trick, while at the back Andrew Durante provides a combative presence in the centre of defence. That spine will be pivotal in a contest that could well be played for long spells not on United’s terms.

I’ll be back shortly with the line-ups. In the meantime - and I cannot stress this enough - prepare to get in touch over the course of the next six or so hours. I am going to be here, tapping my fingertips raw, and I need your help to get through. Twitter is the easiest way to interact, but you can also drop me an email.

Double trouble in the A-League. How can something so wrong feel so right?
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