Sky Blues claim thriller
SYDNEY FC’s A-League fairytale is complete after pipping Melbourne Victory 4-2 in a penalty shootout in last night’s grand final to win the championship.
The Sky Blues also claimed the double, following their runaway Premiers Plate win with a white-knuckle triumph in the decider.
Scores were locked at 1-1 after extra-time of a bitter finale at Allianz Stadium — 11 yellow cards were issued among 59 fouls in the ill-tempered affair.
In a tense penalty shootout, Sydney’s Alex Wilkinson sprayed his shot wide before Melbourne’s Carl Valeri and teammate Marco Rojas failed to convert.
Sydney’s Johnny Warren Medal winner Milos Ninkovic slotted the sealer — the Sky Blues joining the Victory and Brisbane as three-time ALeague champions.
Melbourne’s Besart Berisha and Sydney’s Rhyan Grant scored the goals during the first 90 minutes. Berisha gave Victory the lead in the 20th minute with a sublime goal that stunned Sydney’s parochial 41,546-strong crowd.
The polarising frontman took possession about 25 metres from goal and toyed with Wilkinson as he ran at the Sydney defender.
After jinking this way, then that, Berisha coolly converted during an opening half punctuated by an all-in melee.
Tempers boiled over in the 34th minute when Sydney’s Milos Ninkovic was taken down by a Leigh Broxham tackle.
Ninkovic’s instant remonstration escalated in to a push and shove involving all players: three of them — Ninkovic, teammate Filip Holosko and Melbourne’s James Troisi — were booked in the aftermath.
After trailing at halftime, Sydney were rewarded for a period of sustained pressure after substitute David Carney swung onto his right foot and fired a powerful shot.
Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas got a glove on the shot before Grant steamed in for a 69th minute tap-in.