Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC meet in the Hyundai A-League Finals Series once more to continue their rivalry.
Sunday’s Semi Final at Jubilee Stadium will mark the fifth time in six seasons the clubs have met in the finals.
During their Finals Series history, Victory has never lost to Sydney in regulation or extra-time, while it has won four of the seven matches.
We take a look back at the classic battles between the clubs ahead of Sunday’s encounter.
2009-10 Major Semi Final First Leg @ Marvel Stadium
Melbourne Victory 2 (Nik Mrdja 16′, Carlos Hernandez 40′)
Sydney FC 1 (John Aloisi 43′)
Victory grabbed the upper-hand in the first leg thanks to first-half goals from Nik Mrdja and Carlos Hernandez.
John Aloisi pulled a goal back for Sydney before Mrdja’s second-half red card, leaving the tie open heading into the return leg.
2009-10 Major Semi Final Second Leg @ Allianz Stadium
Sydney FC 2 (Karol Kisel 36′ pen, Mark Bridge 54′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Robbie Kruse 15′, Archie Thompson 113′)
(aet, 4-3 on agg)
Robbie Kruse pulled Victory further clear in the tie with a tremendous 25-yard effort that found the top corner.
But Karol Kisel converted a penalty before Mark Bridge brought the teams level early in the second half.
However, a quick free-kick from Kevin Muscat teed up Archie Thompson for the extra-time winner.
2009-10 Grand Final @ Marvel Stadium
Melbourne Victory 1 (Adrian Leijer 81′)
Sydney FC 1 (Mark Bridge 63′)
(aet, 2-4 on pens)
The teams met again in the decider, Bridge heading in the opener, which was cancelled out by an Adrian Leijer header.
But Sydney held its nerve in the penalty shoot-out, converting four of five spot-kicks.
2013-14 Elimination Final @ Marvel Stadium
Melbourne Victory 2 (Archie Thompson 19′, Gui Finkler 90+2′)
Sydney FC 1 (Sebastian Ryall 34′)
After James Troisi’s lovely pass set up Thompson, Sydney equalised through Sebastian Ryall.
But Victory found a stoppage-time winner, Gui Finkler putting away Adama Traore’s cross from the left.
2014-15 Grand Final @ AAMI Park
Melbourne Victory 3 (Besart Berisha 33′, Kosta Barbarouses 83′, Leigh Broxham 90′)
Sydney FC 0
Besart Berisha gave Victory the lead in front of a lively home crowd, blasting into the top corner from inside the area.
Fahid Ben Khalfallah set up Kosta Barbarouses for Victory’s second before Leigh Broxham sealed the win, Carl Valeri’s red card the only sour note.
2016-17 Grand Final @ Allianz Stadium
Sydney FC 1 (Rhyan Grant 69′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Besart Berisha 20′)
(aet, 4-2 on pens)
Berisha’s clinical finish put Victory ahead, but Rhyan Grant scrambled in an equaliser for Sydney.
Troisi hit the post in extra-time before the Sky Blues secured their win in a penalty shoot-out.
2017-18 Semi Final @ Allianz Stadium
Sydney FC 2 (Stefan Nigro 24′ og, Terry Antonis 90+5′ og)
Melbourne Victory 3 (Kosta Barbarouses 31′, James Troisi 47′, Terry Antonis 117′)
(aet)
On its way to a fourth championship, Victory overcame Sydney in one of the most incredible games in Hyundai A-League history.
Barbarouses brought Victory level after a Stefan Nigro own goal before Berisha played in Troisi to make it 2-1 early in the second half.
Terry Antonis’ own goal forced extra-time before the midfielder went from villain to hero, scoring the winner after a tremendous run.