Five things we learned from A-League elimination finals

Marquee magic, Kiwi change and extra-time drama headlined a defining weekend of elimination finals football in the A-League.

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The power of dreams

Keisuke Honda may be nearing his last days at Melbourne Victory, but that doesn’t mean he won’t do everything in his power to deliver them a record fifth A-League championship.

The Japanese international has all but confirmed his plans to leave the club at the end of the season, telling Fox Sports: “I hope no one is surprised, no one disappointed”.

While the latter is sure to emanate from the Victory faithful, it’s only strengthened their call for another inspired dream-run to the grand final.

Playing alongside Raul Baena and Terry Antonis in midfield on Friday night, Honda rediscovered his past form to find Georg Niedermeier for the breakthrough goal just minutes before half-time.

From that point on, fellow marquee Ola Toivonen did the rest.

The towering Swede staked his claim as the best frontman in the league against the Wellington Phoenix and, after witnessing his deft dink over Filip Kurto restore their two-goal advantage, you’d be hard-pressed to argue.

Kevin Muscat’s men will next face Sydney FC in a rematch of last season’s semi-final.

Talay’s turn

The Wellington Phoenix didn’t wait long to announce their new head coach, with current Sydney FC assistant Ufuk Talay set to pick up right where Mark Rudan left off.

Announced shortly after Friday night’s elimination final defeat at AAMI Park, and reportedly hand-picked by Rudan himself, Talay’s rookie campaign will seek to build on fresh foundations.

With no certainty surrounding the Kiwi club’s A-League licence beyond next season (June 2020), Talay will need a repeat finish inside the top six – among other metrics – to sway Football Federation Australia towards an extended deal.

That sort of pressure could soon increase with the likes of David Williams and golden boot winner Roy Krishna linked with moves away, but club chairman Rob Morrison believes he’s got the best man for the job.

“We wanted a coach who was going to drive through the group the desire to win, to play for the club and the city and to never give up,” Morrison said.

“When we talked to Ufuk it was clear that he has the same vision for the club that we have: a team that is consistently in the finals and challenging for the title.”

Talay will take up his Wellington post at the conclusion of Sydney FC’s current campaign.

‘Ask Timmy’

Mark Rudan was in no mood to discuss his legacy at the Wellington Phoenix on Friday night, amid growing reports the rookie coach is set to sign for Western United next season.

“Maybe ask Timmy Cahill that question,” Rudan said in reference to the Socceroos great’s autobiography.

“It’s not something I think of.”

Rudan elected to halve his two-year deal at the Nix, citing homesickness despite guiding the club to a remarkable run to the finals for the first time in four years.

The Phoenix’s record-laden run came to an end in the elimination finals as Melbourne Victory came out 3-1 winners at AAMI Park.

Rudan’s crop came fast out of the blocks; pressing their opponents high up the park with their overloaded midfield, but despite boasting the bulk of first-half chances, they were ultimately unable to break the deadlock.

Self-inflicted errors were said to cost the visitors in the end and while the 43-year-old gave credit to Victory’s experience, he may have some of his own in new colours next season.

Encore! Encore!

The Marco Kurz era lives on in Adelaide, at least for one more week.

Ben Halloran’s 119th-minute winner saw United claim a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Melbourne City on Sunday night, much to the delight of the 13,232 in attendance.

Kurz’s men hustled and harried until the final whistle and perhaps pinched the winner when City were most in the ascendancy.

The result will have given Kurz a huge sigh of relief, having finally defeated a Warren Joyce-led side at the seventh time of asking.

Better still, Sunday’s success allowed the fiery German one more chance to give Reds fans A-League gold before moving on at the end of the season.

The 49-year-old cited a lack of “common vision” in March as the reason for both parties to part ways, but it appears the Reds will now be well and truly united ahead of Friday’s semi-final against Perth Glory.

Football eh?

Just what Popa ordered

Tony Popovic came out of Sunday night’s elimination final with two scouting reports for the price of one.

With Melbourne Victory claiming the spoils in Friday’s instalment, Adelaide United’s clash against Melbourne City meant either side would face Premiers Perth Glory next Friday.

Glory coach Popovic was perched up inside Coopers Stadium for the length of the contest as both sides pressed for an elusive winner, ultimately found by United’s Ben Halloran deep into extra-time.

The nature of the victory will have provided Popovic with the perfect formula to break the Reds down, having witnessed the league’s fourth-placed side both leave gaps in transition and fail to register a single shot on target until the 112th minute.

Marco Kurz’s men failed to defeat the Glory through three league games this season and will now face an uphill battle; flying to Perth on a short week with fatigue in full effect.