A-League grand final: Sydney FC fulfil goal against Melbourne City

Sydney FC overcame a heroic performance by Melbourne City’s Tom Glover to deliver a historic fifth grand final triumph.

Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant celebrates after scoring against Melbourne City in the A-League grand final at Bankwest Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Sydney FC overcame a heroic performance by Melbourne City’s Tom Glover to deliver a historic fifth grand final triumph to secure their place as the greatest football team in the history of Australian domestic competitions.

An extra-time winner to the club’s favourite son Rhyan Grant broke Melbourne City hearts on Sunday night and delivered a 1-0 win and historic fifth A-League title for powerhouse Sydney FC.

It took 100 minutes, but the Socceroos right back came up with the moment that mattered – chesting home a sensational Luke Brattan cross to finally breach City’s defence and put one past Glover, who enjoyed a tremendous night in goal.

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For much of the night, it appeared nothing could be done to crack Glover’s resolve, with the Olyroos shotstopper producing a remarkable eight saves – while his opposite, Andrew Redmayne, was also outstanding, though most of his stops were routine rather than spectacular.

But Sydney wouldn’t be denied in their pursuit of a record fifth grand final win.

It secured their status as the greatest football club in the land, sparking wild celebrations with Grant mobbed by teammates on the final whistle.

In the end, the chance arrived ten minutes into extra time with Sydney’s mulleted energiser bunny proving the man of the moment.

Grant, was awarded the Joe Marston medal for best player in the grand final.

“Maybe a little bit lucky with it ” Grant said of his goal.

“But I thought I’d put the keeper off with the chest, rather than the head, and it looked like it worked. So happy days.”

Sydney FC players celebrate winning the 2020 A-League grand final against Melbourne City at Bankwest Stadium. Picture: Phil Hillyard

In a gripping and at times controversial contest, the two teams couldn’t be split in regulation time – thanks in part to several contentious decisions which left each side fuming at the halftime break.

City believed they’d opened the scoring after just 18 minutes when defender Harrison Delbridge drilled low and hard past Sydney’s Redmayne.

But they were robbed moments later when VAR – brought back for the finals series after being absent post COVID-19 shutdown – was called on, and found winger Lachlan Wales in an off-side position in front of Redmayne.

City striker Jamie Maclaren was furious at the decision, declaring it the wrong call, but Sydney had their own gripes with referee Chris Beath after a first-half penalty shout by Adam le Fondre was waved away.

Described as “100 per cent” a penalty by Sydney coach Steve Corica, le Fondre was clattered by Curtis Good in the box. Beath was unmoved, and a VAR check found nothing to overturn.

Socceroos great Robbie Slater said Beath had made an error and that Sydney had been unlucky not to be awarded a penalty.

“100 per cent penalty,” said Slater in commentary.

“Because his next touch is a strike at goal to probably score. He’s got that one wrong Chris Beath.”

Sydney flicked the switch early in the second half, with midfield star Milos Ninkovic threatening to break the game open with a handful of stunning chances in 90 seconds.

The Serbian veteran produced a delightful flick to offer a chance to le Fondre, and then came Sydney’s best chance of the match when he was through one-on-one with Glover – only to have the City gloveman produced the save of the match. Glover did everything within his power, but it wasn’t enough.

The loss continues City’s shocking record in big games, but there can be no accusations of a choke here – they showed their new-found resolve time and again, with the likes of defender Curtis Good, Glover and livewire Wales showing they belong on the biggest stage.

Looking for their maiden title, Melbourne City started stronger and were unlucky not to take the lead – after five shots in the opening 10 minutes, and a shot cleared off the line from Craig Noone before Sydney’s experience came to the fore.

The Daily Telegraph / Fox Sports