Dummies guide to the A-League Grand Final
Who's playing?
Western Sydney Wanderers v Central Coast Mariners
When?
Sunday afternoon, 4pm EST
Where?
Allianz Stadium in Sydney
Can I go along?
Not a chance, unless you're willing to spend hundreds of dollars over the sale price for scalped tickets on eBay. The final tickets sold out in a matter of minutes earlier in the week, ensuring a massive crowd of around 45,000 fans.
Why should I cheer for the Wanderers?
Because they are the best story in Australian sport. This rag-tag group of players was thrown together by rookie coach Tony Popovic in October and many experts tipped them to finish last. But they have stunned almost everyone, winning the Premier's Plate for finishing top of the ladder and going on a record-breaking run of 12 wins in a row in the middle of the season. A club that didn't even exist nine months ago has transformed itself into the best team in the country with the most passionate fans in the league. How can you not love that story?
Why should I cheer for the Mariners?
The Mariners are the hard luck story of the A-League. They have been one of the best teams in the eight-season history of the competition, but have come up short on three previous trips to the Grand Final. The most heartbreaking loss came in the 2011 decider, when they incredibly conceded two goals in the final three minutes of extra-time before losing in a penalty shoot out. Momentum is with the Wanderers, but it will be devastating to see the Mariners come up short again.
Who has the best supporters?
The Wanderers and by a long, long way. Known as the Red and Black Bloc, Western Sydney's fledgling supporter group is arguably the loudest and the most passionate of any sport in the country. They sing, they dance, they chant and they lift the roof when their team finds the back of the net. And they don't stop for the whole 90 minutes of the match.
What is the Poznan?
Even if you're not that into soccer, this will be worth waiting for. The Poznan is a celebration that involves supporters standing with their backs to the pitch, linking shoulders side-by-side and jumping on the spot in unison. It was started by Polish club Lech Poznan and has been adopted around the world, including by Western Sydney. The Wanderers supporters traditionally do the Poznan in the 80th minute of the match, to honour the first football match played in western Sydney, in 1880. Watch the video below.
Who will win?
Your guess is as good as anyone's. The two teams have played three times this season, with a draw and a win each. The bookies have made the Wanderers slight favorites on the back of their finish on top of the ladder, but this one will go down to the wire. We're tipping extra-time and a penalty shoot out with the Mariners to snatch the win.