The Nix are also the only team that gets this weekend off to rest. In a complete contrast, the Mariners have to make a likely 50-60 hour round trip to Oman, to play a high stakes final with either a $US750K or $US1.5M pay day.
Sure the ALM at only 27 rounds is a short comp compared to many leagues, but there will still be lots of guys carrying late season niggles who would love a week off to rest.
The Nix players in the semi 2nd leg at home will be fresher, and buoyed by a big noisy home crowd to hopefully take the tie. They should certainly finish that game the stronger team.
I imagine that in the history of ALM 2 legged semis, the teams 1st & 2nd on the ladder (so avoided elimination finals), have most often won through to the final.
And then if it is Mariners hosting the final. 2 extra non normal advantages for the Nix if they make it. CCM having to host the final in 'neutral' Sydney, and yes as above not having had the rest week this week that the Nix have had.
Sure the ALM at only 27 rounds is a short comp compared to many leagues, but there will still be lots of guys carrying late season niggles who would love a week off to rest.
The Nix players in the semi 2nd leg at home will be fresher, and buoyed by a big noisy home crowd to hopefully take the tie. They should certainly finish that game the stronger team.
I imagine that in the history of ALM 2 legged semis, the teams 1st & 2nd on the ladder (so avoided elimination finals), have most often won through to the final.
And then if it is Mariners hosting the final. 2 extra non normal advantages for the Nix if they make it. CCM having to host the final in 'neutral' Sydney, and yes as above not having had the rest week this week that the Nix have had.
While I follow the logic of all of this, I think at a certain point might we have to accept that CCM having unprecedented success in Asia could actually be a good thing for them, not a hindrance.
Certainly good for their confidence & self belief. And players often say they prefer playing rather than training, so sometimes they like heavy playing schedules. I remember some comments during the Covid years around that, with often compressed match scheduling.
But it's been a hectic time for CCM of late. Flying 50-60 hours round trip, ain't great for the body, even if you're a super fit twenty something and up the pointy end of the plane. Greater risk of picking up soft tissue injuries, and just general performance fatigue. The mental challenge of having continous games in two comps, and limited relaxation time.
Combine that with the off field drama they have had the last week, the fact they don't have the biggest budget in the league - if they do pull off the AFC Cup/ALM GF double, I can only applaud them as a club.