Melbourne Victory will enter this Sunday’s semi-final against Central Coast Mariners with a last gasp and somewhat controversial 2-1 victory against Perth Glory behind them. It has been a remarkable season for the Boys in Blue, redeeming themselves after last season’s trauma, recovering under the influence of Ange Postecoglou. There have been moments to savour for the blue half of Melbourne in this fantastic and even A-League season. Every rollercoaster must come to an end however, so how will Victory’s? Is the 2012-13 A-League crown possible?

Why they can:

- Midfield

Against Wellington in the last round, Archie Thompson and Marcos Flores lined up together in midfield for the first time this season. Both are highly creative playmakers, with Thompson coming into his own in a more central role as of late. What effect this will have on Flores is yet to be seen, but the first impressions aren’t good with Leigh Broxham relegating the Argentine to the bench last Friday.

Behind the creative pairing will be the form of Mark Milligan and Billy Celeski, so often the strength and drive behind the Victory resurgence this season and will be important. It is not a coincidence that when Milligan is out, Victory are weaker and the defences are likely to be exposed. Alistair Edwards did his homework on Victory and didn’t allow either man time on the ball last weekend. Arnie and his men may opt for the same come Sunday.

- Talent and confidence

Archie Thompson found space at a set-piece that Celeski just rolled straight in his path, and that snatched a win in the 87th minute against their plucky hosts in Wellington. That gave Victory a win that smelled of confidence in ability and belief that they can win despite being knocked down. That reared its head againt Perth Glory as well.

There is no shortage of players that can turn a game, what is far less confidence-inspiring is the back four sans Adama Traore. Glory were unlucky to not go in to half-time with more than one goal behind them, such was their dominance. Their ability to push the Victory defence back is a worry if you are a Victory fan.

- The big 3

Milligan, Thompson and Marcos Rojas have the potential to determine how Victory’s season will end. In the ‘sudden death’ finals system of this 2012-13 A-League season, one moment can determine a game. Victory have those ‘moment’ players that can turn a game in an instant. The system devised by Ange brings the best out of these players, while one of them (Milligan) has the responibility of holding the defensive side of things together.

This was proven in dramatic fashion as the finals series began, while Shane Smeltz missed his penalty, Milligan made no mistake. Despite the penalty being soft to say the least, history would be different had Smeltz converted his spot-kick. Once extra-time began, Thompson never should have been allowed to put his side in front. Finals never are about who is ‘better’, rather who takes the opportunity when it is there.

Why they can’t:

- Injuries

It can’t be denied that season ending injuries to (in his case, possible) Nick Ansell, Traore and the then-form midfielder Gui Finkler have hurt Victory. Traore’s presence on the left was the strongest part of the defence, while Finkler’s skills added to the balance that Milligan and Celeski bought in to midfield. All three played specific roles in a team that went on a strong winning run mid-season, and when all three missed, the system and formation needed to change up.

How the players recover from the 120-minute match against Perth will also be a concern for Ange and his staff. Broxham was a forced sub in extra-time, Adrian Leijer and Daniel Mullen were also seen cramping up as the game wore on. A long turnaround (visiting the Mariners on Sunday after a Friday game) will be beneficial but given how close this fixture has been this season, can Victory cope with (possibly) another 120 minutes?

- Non-existent depth

Injuries have made Ange search for other options and they have been options that haven’t quite been adequate, with the exception of Scott Galloway. You need fringe players to stand in when the situation demands it; this has not been the case this season. Jonathan Bru, Theo Markelis, Spase Dilevski and Jimmy Jeggo have not stood up and Victory are feeling the effects now. Coincidently, the youth that have come in to fill the breach have set the club up for the following seasons to come.

- Inconsistent form

When several players go missing through injury, suspension and international duty, form and consistency go missing with it. Victory entered finals with no consistent or fluent form, though it had little effect as was proven come Friday. If the same team with the same form that ran through teams for fun mid-season was going to take the field against the Mariners, this would be no contest. But that is the beauty of finals and that it is anyone’s game on any given day.