Only one month is left. This is the money time of the season, and this weekend we’re off to Australia’s final match than to meet the new champions of Chile, and finally, to enjoy a passionate derby from Lebanon. Yallah, Vamos, let’s go!
(All the hours are in CET local time)
Amateur (Like these goalkeepers)
What? Adelaide United – Western Sydney Wanderers (Australian A-League)
When? Sunday, 0800
Where? Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Why? The final match is here. Just 90 decisive minutes, and we will know which team will win its first-ever title. Adelaide United were the regular-season champions, one point ahead of Western Sydney Wanderers. Both teams previously lost twice in the finals – Adelaide in 2007 and 2009, Western Sydney in 2013 and 2014.
Key Players: He was born in the US, has an Ivorian father and a Togolese mother and he represented Australia, so there is no surprise that
Bruce Djite, Adelaide’s forward, is his team leader. Meanwhile, Romeo Castelen, the Dutchman of Western Sydney, is the semi-finals hero.
A Real Drama: Western Sydney Wanderers qualified after a heroic semifinal match, just watch it!
Professional (like this goal)
What? O'Higgins – Universidad de Concepción (Chilean Campeonato Nacional)
When? Saturday, 2100
Where? Estadio El Teniente, Rancagua
Why? O'Higgins is one step from its second title ever. Before the last match of the season, O'Higgins are on top with two points ahead of Universidad Católica. Universidad de Concepción is trying to improve before the playoff, in order to get a Copa Sudamericana spot.
Key Players: The main player of O'Higgins is Pablo Calandria, who scored 16 goals in this season and played in France, Spain and Argentina. Gabriel Vargas is the guy to watch in Universidad de Concepción, as he is one of the club’s biggest players with 102 league goals, what also makes him the club all-time top scorer.
The Leader: O'Higgins named after Bernardo O'Higgins, who was one of the Chilean independence leaders in the 19th century.
World Class (like this goal)
What? Nejmeh – Safa (Lebanese Premier League)
When? Saturday, 1430
Where? Bourj Hammoud Stadium, Beirut
Why? 9 points are left and the race for the Lebanese title is close to its end. The leaders are Safa with 46 points, while the reigning champions Al Ahed are in 2nd place with 45 points and Nejmeh are on 3rd with 41 points. Hot! Besides being a title match, this is also one of Beirut derbies, so we have also the city prestige on the line. Extra Hot!
Key Players: Nejmeh have one of the biggest Lebanese football stars, Abbas Atwi, who plays for the team since 1997 and he is the most capped player for Lebanon national team. Safa have a great defense and that's thanks to Mohamed Zein Tahan, one of the most dominant players in his club’s recent successful runs.
Foreign in the Middle East: The Romanian manager of Nejmeh, Valeriu Tița, previously was the manager of Safa. He spent time also in the Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria, where he managed the national team and won the AFC Cup with Al Ittihad Aleppo.