Avondale FC produces stunning comeback to reach NPL Victoria grand final
DOWN 3-1 with five minutes of extra-time remaining in its NPL Victoria semi-final, Avondale FC produced a comeback for the ages to earn its maiden grand final appearance.
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HOCKEY has the Miracle on Ice.
Avondale FC conjured the Comeback at Kingston on Friday night, etching itself into NPL Victoria history and earning its maiden grand final appearance with a 4-3 extra-time victory over Bentleigh Greens.
LIAM BOLAND ON THE SUCCESS OF AVONDALE FC’S STRIKERS
AVONDALE FC TO TAKE ON SYDNEY FC IN FFA CUP
AVENGERS MAKE HISTORY IN FFA CUP
This was a semi-final which had everything, including two power outages — twice delaying play at Kingston Heath.
A Joey Katebian equaliser cancelled out Chris Lucas’ opener, forcing the match into extra-time.
Bentleigh led 3-1 at the 115-minute mark when Lucas completed his hat-trick to put the Greens on course to join Heidelberg United in the NPL decider.
What unfolded from that point will be remembered as one of the great comebacks in Victorian soccer history.
For three minutes, the script went the way most observers would have expected.
In fact, it would have been understandable if Avondale FC supporters started the trek across town to Melbourne’s north west.
.@AvondaleFC84 trailed 3-1 after 118 minutes. It leads 4-3 in extra time stoppage time. This is unbelievable #NPLVICFinals
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) September 14, 2018
They would have been sorely disappointed if they did.
118th minute. Own goal. 3-2. 120th minute. Own goal. 3-3.
In the 121st minute, with penalties looming, former A-League midfielder Jonatan Germano buried a free kick to spark delirium among the travelling supporters.
“It was the most outrageous game I have ever been a part of,” Avengers captain Phil Riccobene said.
“I don’t think anyone has ever seen a game like that. It was just crazy.
“We were going to put a good fight up until the end, but the way it panned out was just out of control.”
Riccobene said he had no doubt Germano would score as he approached the matchwinning free-kick, such was the sense of fate on the Avondale bench.
“I said to him before the game, ‘Jonny, you are going to come on and you are going to score.’ I didn’t think it was going to be the winner,” he said.
“As soon as he stepped up for the freekick we knew he was going to put it in the back of the net.”
After a week where the club was linked with the marquee signing of Italian legend Andrea Pirlo for its FFA Cup quarter-final against Sydney FC, only the greatest optimist would have believed Avondale FC could attract more headlines from its semi-final.
The Avengers will take on Heidelberg United at AAMI Park in the NPL grand final from 6.30pm next Sunday.
MORE LOCAL SPORT
IS THIS MELBOURNE’S MOST DOMINANT SPORTING TEAM?
Victoria’s top 50 local cricketers of the weekend
Runs were scored for fun across Victoria while bowlers were in menacing form. See who the best in the state were.
Club cricketer’s calamitous chores floods his home
We all know it’s wet early in the cricket season, but it was more so for one cricketer who, while washing his gear hours before play, flooded his house. That and more in the launch of Quick Singles.