Bunge relieved to win grand final
Football Ferns defender Claudia Bunge thought she had blown Melbourne Victory’s chances of winning the W-league grand final.
But team-mate Kyra CooneyCross saved her blushes by scoring an olimpico – a goal directly from a corner-kick – in the final minute of extra-time to stun top qualifiers Sydney FC 1-0 and claim Victory’s first championship in seven years on Sunday.
‘‘I’ve played in a couple of finals before but probably not as dramatic as that,’’ Bunge said. ‘‘We had a lot of corners and I had a feeling we were going to score, but we definitely took our time and waited until the very last minute.
‘‘It was just relief, I wasn’t too keen on taking a penalty, but it was a great feeling.
‘‘I saw the ball cross the line but if you watch it back I kicked it in just tomake sure in case the lineo didn’t call it. But thatwas some ball from Kyra.’’
Victory peppered Sydney’s goal throughout the absorbing 120-minute encounter but struggled to find away past the seemingly impenetrable Sky Blues goalkeeper Jada Whyman.
Bunge had a chance to win the game herself in regulation time but the 21-year-old centre-backwas unable to get a toe to the ball when it fell at her feet on the goal line.
‘‘The Sydney keeper got a little touch to it and I hadn’t quite set myself up for it and it literally just flew past me. I could’ve just chucked anything on it.’’
Sunday’s final triumph completed a fairytale first season for Bunge, who signed her first professional contract with Victory after previously playing for Northern Lights in the New Zealand nationalwomen’s league.
She played every single minute of Victory’s championshipwinning campaign, helping the team keep eight clean sheets in 14 gameswhile also contributing two goals from set-piece situations.
Experienced Football Ferns midfielder Annalie Longo was also a key member of Victory’s team and forced three saves out of Whyman during a busy performance in the W-league decider.
Bunge is due to travel home the day after the trans-tasman bubble opens on April 19 and, after aweek of celebrating, will turn her attention to preparing for the Tokyo Olympics, where she has a strong chance of selection.
‘‘It’s been awesome and I’ve loved every minute of it, so hopefully I can come back next year,’’ she said.
‘‘I’d love to have another season, especially with how this one went. I’d be crazy not to.’’