3 minute read
A look at the action in round 26 of the A-League.
A-LEAGUE SNAPSHOT FOR ROUND 26
* THEY SAID IT: "They are nice fellas and it's not easy for me to tell them, 'Listen, I have different plans'. But we have to do something." - Western Sydney coach Markus Babbel leaves no doubt there will be player casualties next season at the eighth-placed Wanderers.
* MAN OF THE ROUND: Roy Krishna. The electric Phoenix striker narrowly pips relentless Sydney FC fullback Rhyan Grant, who stood out in the toppling of Perth. Golden boot leader Krishna's first A-League hat-trick was completed in the dying moments against Melbourne City, ensuring a 3-2 win and maintaining their charge for a possible home play-off match.
* STAT ATTACK: With the premiership in the bag, Perth Glory lost away from home for the first time in 14 months. The 1-0 loss to second-ranked Sydney FC was just the second time this season they've failed to register a goal on the road.
* TALKING POINT: Phoenix coach Mark Rudan has called for games in the final round to be played simultaneously, mirroring the major leagues in Europe. It's nothing new. Former Glory coach Kenny Lowe said the same thing 12 months ago.
* UNDER PRESSURE: Melbourne Victory. Three losses from their last four, including a thumping defeat in Asia, is a worry for coach Kevin Muscat. Falling 1-0 in Adelaide means the defending champions will rank third for the finals and probably face Melbourne City in the first round. They haven't won a Melbourne derby all season. However, it can't be forgotten that Muscat's men swept all before them in the play-offs last year - from a fourth-placed ranking.
* WHAT'S NEXT: The final round threatens to be a damp squib, with the only interest still hovering over who finishes fourth. That question will be answered in the first game on Thursday if Adelaide United beat Brisbane, leaving the fifth-placed Phoenix with no chance of catching them in the regular season finale against Perth. There's next to nothing riding on the other games, opening the possibility of a mass resting of star players.