The finalists have been decided for the fourth edition of the Westfield FFA Cup Final. And there could hardly be two more worthy participants for next month's showpiece.
Both foundation Hyundai A-League clubs very quickly became rivals in the league over a decade ago.
Now, they meet in the Cup final with Adelaide hoping to make history by winning it twice.
Sydney, for their part, are eyeing a clean sweep of trophies in 2017 after winning the Championship/Premiership double this year in the A-League.
And for them, hopes are high for a first FFA Cup Final trophy after their 1-0 loss to City a year ago.
What a match up this promises to be: Arnie's Army versus Marco's Men.
THE SKY BLUE JUGGERNAUT
Sydney FC is currently Australasia's best professional football team, bar none.
They clinched an historic Premiership / Championship double in the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season, losing just one of their 29 matches.
This season, they're off to unbeaten start once again.
Their cup form has been equally imperious, dispatching Darwin Rovers 8-0, Bankstown Berries 3-0, Melbourne City 2-0 and South Melbourne 5-1 on their way to the final – that’s 18 goals scored and just one conceded on their road to the final.
A rock-solid defence marshalled by Alex Wilkinson sits behind the tireless midfield pair of Josh Brillante and Brandon O'Neill, with play-makers Milos Ninkovic and Adrian Mierzejewski supplying the ammunition for front-men Bobo and Alex Brosque.
Don't bother looking for a weakness in Graham Arnold's side – you simply won't find one.
And having narrowly lost last year's Westfield FFA Cup final, the Sky Blues will be doubly motivated to lift this piece of silverware for the first time.
REVITALISED REDS
German coach Marco Kurz has come to South Australia with some firm ideas on how football should be played and how footballers should be prepared.
A gut-busting pre-season campaign has dovetailed nicely into the Reds' Westfield FFA Cup run and the start of the new Hyundai A-League season.
Danish winger Johan Absalonsen already looks every inch a star, with fellow new boys Daniel Adlung and Karim Matmour adding class and steel to midfield.
Sitting deeper, competition veteran Vince Lia has already forged an effective partnership with Spanish terrier and new club skipper Isaías.
You certainly can't say Adelaide don't deserve their spot in the final; they’ve dispatched fellow Hyundai A-League sides Newcastle (1-0), Melbourne Victory (3-0) and Western Sydney (2-1) as well as accounting for Heidelberg United 3-0.
Last season’s misery has been well and truly consigned to the memory banks as Adelaide United look to recreate past glories and become the first side to lift the Westfield FFA Cup twice.
