Western Sydney Wanderers will host Melbourne Victory in a blockbuster Isuzu UTE A-League Elimination Final after rallying to beat Macarthur Bulls 3-1 in front of a record crowd on Saturday night.
A Macarthur-record 9,213 fans were in attendance in Campbelltown as in-form Western Sydney clinched fourth spot and a die-or-die home final against rivals Melbourne Victory next week.
The Wanderers – enjoying a 12-game unbeaten streak, their best run in 12 years – came from behind to conquer the Bulls, who had led 1-0 through history-making Marin Jakolis after four minutes.
However, Western Sydney rallied on the road, where the visitors were level at half-time thanks to Bozhidar Kraev before centre-back Anthony Pantazopoulos and substitute Marcus Antonsson sealed the points in the 29th and final round of the regular season.
Wanderers fans descended on Campbelltown for the final-round fixture against Macarthur and both sets of supporters were treated to a high-level of football from the outset.
Out of the finals race, the Bulls made the perfect start thanks to Jakolis’ fourth-minute opener.
Jakolis slotted the ball underneath onrushing Western Sydney goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas, who was almost out of his penalty area. For Jakolis, he became just the fourth player in Isuzu UTE A-League history to reach double digits for goals and assists in a season.
The Wanders struggled in the early proceedings amid a slow start but grew into the contest and found themselves back on level terms in the 22nd minute.
Kraev restored parity after Nicolas Milanovic played a quick free-kick and passed the ball to Zac Sapsford, who slid a cross for the Bulgaria international to tap home.
It was physical and throughout the opening half, which saw Golden Boot contender nearly put the Wanderers ahead six minutes before half-time, however, his header landed on the roof of the net.
The Wanderers completed their comeback early in the second half as Pantazopoulos rose highest to head home powerfully past Macarthur goalkeeper Filip Kurto.
Antonsson came off the bench and made an immediate impact within less then three minutes of his introduction after dispossessing Kevin Boli and firing the ball underneath Kurto with 16 minutes remaining.
