In the first weekend of finals, Brisbane claimed a two-goal advantage over the Mariners in their bid to host the decider while second-half goals saw Perth and Wellington progress
Results
Brisbane Roar 2-0 Central Coast Mariners (second leg to be played April 8); Wellington Phoenix 3-2 Sydney FC, Perth Glory 3-0 Melbourne Heart (Glory to host Wellington on April 7)
In the Major Semi Final between the top two to decide who'll host the Grand Final, Brisbane took the edge into the second leg with a 2-0 victory over premiers Central Coast. Henrique, who missed an early penalty, poked home from a Thomas Broich corner inside the first 10 minutes, before the German laid off the assist for Erik Paartalu to score a crucial second on 86 minutes.
Elsewhere, Perth and Wellington progressed but not both without a fright. Wellington had shot to a two-goal lead after two second-half strikes, before Sydney's Joel Chianese drew them level. Paul Ifill, though, was the hero with a late penalty after winning the spotkick himself. Glory progressed 3-0 over Heart, but it wasn't an attractive affair and the difference was hat-trick hero Shane Smeltz's killer instinct in front of goal.
Results
Brisbane Roar 2-0 Central Coast Mariners (second leg to be played April 8); Wellington Phoenix 3-2 Sydney FC, Perth Glory 3-0 Melbourne Heart (Glory to host Wellington on April 7)
In the Major Semi Final between the top two to decide who'll host the Grand Final, Brisbane took the edge into the second leg with a 2-0 victory over premiers Central Coast. Henrique, who missed an early penalty, poked home from a Thomas Broich corner inside the first 10 minutes, before the German laid off the assist for Erik Paartalu to score a crucial second on 86 minutes.
Elsewhere, Perth and Wellington progressed but not both without a fright. Wellington had shot to a two-goal lead after two second-half strikes, before Sydney's Joel Chianese drew them level. Paul Ifill, though, was the hero with a late penalty after winning the spotkick himself. Glory progressed 3-0 over Heart, but it wasn't an attractive affair and the difference was hat-trick hero Shane Smeltz's killer instinct in front of goal.
