Just how do Melbourne City FC and Sydney FC compare in their respective journeys to the Westfield FFA Cup Final 2016?
At first glance, both clubs’ progress to the final is not too dissimilar.
Both have been impressive on their way to the big one on November 30 at AAMI Park.
Road to 2016 Westfield FFA Cup Final: Sydney FC
Road to the Westfield FFA Cup final: Melb City
When it comes to the number of players used by both clubs, Melbourne City have fielded 22 players on their way to the Final, while the Sky Blues have used 20.
Sydney FC have scored 11 goals in their four matches, Melbourne City 10.
The Sky Blues have the edge in goals against as they have yet to concede, while City have let in three goals.
Impressively, the goals from both teams have come from a variety of sources. Sydney FC have had nine goal scorers in all, Matt Simon and David Carney the only players to have found the back of the net twice.
It’s a similar story for Melbourne City, with the goals spread amongst seven players.
Captain Bruno Fornaroli is the only player to hit the target more than once with two of his three goals coming from the penalty spot.
In terms of who has had the tougher run to the Final, Melbourne City are probably narrowly in front with the fact that they have had to play two Hyundai A-League sides (Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory) while Sydney FC have faced just the one (Perth Glory), although that was over in the west.
Melbourne City’s journey also took them to Perth for their Round of 32 encounter against Floreat Athena, followed by a trip north to take on Brisbane Strikers before their last two matches were played at AAMI Park.
While without being drawn at home in any of their matches, the Sky Blues still had two matches in their home state, against Wollongong Wolves and Blacktown City.
While they travelled to Perth to face Perth Glory before heading to the nation’s capital to meet Canberra Olympic in the last four.
Interestingly, Melbourne City’s most convincing results came against Hyundai A-League opponents in contrast to the matches they played against Member Federation clubs.
Melbourne City were made to work hard to prevail in 2-1 victories over Floreat Athena and Brisbane Strikers in the Round of 32 and Round of 16 respectively, before they turned it on in the quarter finals as they dismantled Western Sydney Wanderers FC 4-1 and then defeated bitter rivals Melbourne Victory 2-0 in the semis.
All in all, in terms of the numbers there is not much that splits them.
The result on 30 November may just come down to a moment of Cup magic.
Tickets for the Westfield FFA Cup Final 2016 are on sale now, starting at $25 for adults and $5 for kids. Click here for details and to purchase.
