Wanderers tackle nervous wait for ALM finals fate

After Western Sydney did everything they could to make the A-League Men finals, coach Marko Rudan says he might not watch the game that will determine their fate.

The Wanderers (37 points) leapfrogged Melbourne City (36) into the last spot of the top six with an extraordinary 4-3 comeback win over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

If 11th-placed Western United can beat or draw with City at the same venue on Sunday evening, the Wanderers will seal their top-six spot.

Given the Wanderers have won one more game (11-10) than City, and wins are the tiebreaker now when teams are even on points, a draw wouldn't be enough for Aurelio Vidmar's charges.

But Rudan indicated there wouldn't be any specific plans regarding the Sunday game - instead focusing on the win that opened the door in the first place.

"I walked back in the dressing room and apparently the highlights of the goals were on and they were all just cheering that on themselves," he said.

"It's almost like when they play PlayStation and they pick themselves. It reminded me a bit of that. But they're young, I want them to enjoy this and this moment.

"I don't know what they're going to do. I'll be at home with my family and probably my eldest son watching it, like we always do the day after a game.

"He's worse than me when it comes to nerves and things like that."

Rudan then went a step further.

"I don't even know if I'll watch it," he said.

"I'll be honest. It's irrelevant because if we stay in, we don't play those two teams. So what's the point of watching it?

"Maybe I'll go play some golf. I love playing some golf and getting my mind off things.

"I know my phone will go off, it will be beserk if there's any good news coming through.

"I'm not too sure if I'll watch it. If the players do or don't, I'm not too sure either. But it's out of our hands now. We came here to do something, to do a job and we did that."

If they make finals, the Wanderers can't be sure of the availability of goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas after he was hurt making a late save to deny Bruno Fornaroli.

"I can't tell you right now, in terms of the extent of it," Rudan said.

"I think one of our players collided with Loz. So I think it's an ankle."

Third-placed Victory will keep an eye on Sunday's games - with Sydney FC (38 points) also in action against wooden spooners Perth.

Victory will host whoever finishes sixth out of Sydney, Western Sydney and City.