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City, Sydney up for history-making GF

3 minute read

Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo says the premiers' home A-League grand final is special for the club and Melbourne as they hunt their first championship.

coach PATRICK KISNORBO.
coach PATRICK KISNORBO. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Melbourne City can seal a near-perfect season with victory in the A-League grand final and coach Patrick Kisnorbo says the occasion is a win for Victoria's capital.

City already sealed the premiers plate and can complete the premiership-championship double by beating Sydney FC in Sunday's decider at AAMI Park.

The premiers had their home grand final confirmed earlier this week - a massive bonus after last week's semi-final was moved to Sydney, while City completed their 2019-20 season in a NSW Hub.

"It's very special," Kisnorbo told reporters on Saturday.

"It's great for us Melburnians who've experienced a lot of hard times with this pandemic.

"It's great for our fans to get the opportunity, but I think it's just great for our sport.

"As you know, we're not the number one sport here but I think it's great for football lovers - whether you support Melbourne City or you don't - to be given the opportunity to come and watch a football game which is very special."

City sealed the premiers plate in an intense win over Central Coast in May and Kisnorbo said that high-pressure experience would hold them in good stead.

Meanwhile, Sydney FC will become the first team to win three consecutive championships if they win, with coach Steve Corica also looking to be the first manager to win three A-League titles.

"There's always pressure (but) it's no added pressure this one," Corica said on Saturday.

"It's another grand final, they're always something special.

"They're a very good team, Melbourne City - they've been the most consistent team all season.

"So we respect them, they've had a great season but it's a one-off game and we know what qualities we have in our team, and we know what they've got as well which is a lot.

"So we'll see how we go tomorrow, we're looking forward to it."

Sydney will have to make a call on playmaker Milos Ninkovic, who is fighting to return from a calf strain.

"He's been training by himself," Corica said.

"We'll see how he goes today - today's D-Day for him and we'll make a decision after training.

"I do (expect him to feature). I hope so, we need him to."

City are sweating on the availability of Craig Noone (knee) and Andrew Nabbout (adductor) who missed last week's semi-final.

Kisnorbo said the pair would be given every chance to prove their fitness but took heart from Stefan Colakovski and Marco Tilio stepping up and scoring against Macarthur last week.

Both teams are without three key players through international duty.

Golden boot winner Jamie Maclaren, midfielder Connor Metcalfe and defender Curtis Good are missing for City, while Sydney are without Rhyan Grant, Andrew Redmayne and Ryan McGowan.

The game kicks off at 5.05pm on Sunday.

STATS THAT MATTER

* Sydney are chasing a record third A-League championship in a row and their sixth as a club - which would break their own record

* City are playing their second grand final - after losing to Sydney last year - and eyeing their first championship

* City and Sydney have played twice this season, with City winning one game and the other a draw.

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