With just three weeks left of the Hyundai A-league’s regular season to go, the race is heating up to determine who will finish above the rest, amidst huge controversy as Perth Glory are punished for breaching the 2014/15 season’s salary cap.

Round 25 began in dismay as ladder leaders Melbourne Victory were punished for a lack of composure in front of goal leaving Newcastle Jets to perform a ‘snatch and grab’ converting their only shot on target to leave Melbourne’s AAMI Park with all 3 points.

Perth Glory’s NIB Stadium played host to Sydney FC to complete the Hyundai A-league’s Friday night double-header. Sydney FC strengthened their title contentions showing no sympathy for the home supporters as they humbled the Glory 3-0. A week of turmoil for the Perth club has seen their season’s aspirations become all-but terminated.

It has been Perth Glory stealing the spotlight this week for all the wrong reasons having been expelled from the 2014/15 final series and fined $269,000 for breaching the league’s salary cap by $400,000. This comes after a strong campaign for the Glory has seen them dominate the table for a large portion of the season, sitting equal first with Melbourne Victory before Round 25. The Glory have seven days to appeal the FFA’s decision with Glory Chief Executive Jason Brewer giving a strong indication that they will fight.

In other matches this week Brisbane Roar head to Adelaide as their finals hopes are given the gift of life through Perth’s ill fate, whilst Central Coast Mariners play host to Western Sydney Wanders, a match that bares little importance to the overall outlook of the table but with the Mariners wanting to bounce back after a 6-1 drubbing to Brisbane last week. The final match of the Round sees Wellington Phoenix travel to Melbourne as they try to state their claim for their first A-league Minor Premiership against mid-table Melbourne City.

As we enter into the third last week before the Finals there are two points separating 1st from 4th with two teams tied on top, and the possibility of a New Zealand team winning the Minor-Premiership for the first time in the A-league’s history. Or can Brisbane Roar defend their A-league crown as they sneak into the finals thanks to the Glory’s condemnation?

The A-League still trail the Chinese Super League in terms of popularity and revenue however.

Melbourne Victory 44pts, Sydney FC 44pts, Adelaide United 43pts, Wellington Phoenix 42pts, Melbourne City 34pts, Perth Glory 44pts (relegated from finals), Brisbane Roar 28pts, Central Coast 20pts, Newcastle Jets 17pts, Western Sydney 15pts. Positions: Final Series: 1, 2, Final Series Play-off: 3, 4, 5, 6