2022 FFA CUP Final
This Saturday night, AAMI Park will play host to the eighth edition of the FFA Cup Final as Melbourne Victory take on Central Coast Mariners side, in their bid to claim the title for a second time since its introduction in 2015.
Tony Popovic’s Victory side will go into the match full of confidence, coming off the back of an impressive 4-1 annihilation of Wellington Phoenix in their Semi Final last week, and sitting 2nd in the league on the back of some solid performances. Socceroo and Captain Josh Brillante has been a stalwart in the middle of the park next to Jake Brimmer, who sit behind one of the most exciting, attacking lines in the league with the likes of Folami, Kruse, Rojas and D’Agostino.
The Mariners on the other hand have had a disrupted start to 2022. Amidst some good results, COVID-19 and national team call-ups have left Nick Montgomery’s young and inexperienced side with a depleted line-up week-to-week. That is not to underestimate the Gosford based club, who have been outstanding given the circumstances. The interruptions have provided the likes of Dan Hall, Josh Nisbett and Jacob Farrell with regular first team minutes, to which they have thrived in. This has been with the guidance of Socceroos Kye Rowles and Ollie Bozanic who continue to impress.
A blistering attacking artillery of the Victory, against a resilient, uncompromising and spritely Mariners defence will prove an engrossing battle for fans. The two sides are yet to face each other in the 2021/22 Isuzu Ute A-League, adding to the anticipation of what will undoubtedly be a hotly contested affair.
Tip: Melbourne Victory
The Victory will go into the match favourites and full of confidence against the Central Coast, and am expecting them to be the ones lifting the trophy in front of their home fans, come the final whistle. With the strike power Victory possess, it will prove too strong for a resilient Mariners defence who will undoubtedly hang in the fight for most the encounter.
