Sydney FC beat Perth Glory in A-League grand final

Sydney FC have ended hopes of a Perth Glory fairytale with a penalty shootout win in the A-League grand final.

Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque lifts the A-League trophy after his team beat Perth Glory in a penalty shootout at Optus Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

He created history, scoring the winning goal that gave Sydney FC the title in the inaugural season of the A-League now Steve Corica has written his name in the history books again, claiming the championship in his rookie season as a senior coach.

Exactly 13 years, two months and 15 days since his goal sunk Central Coast Mariners at Allianz Stadium, Corica watched from the sidelines as Sydney FC ended hopes of a Perth Glory fairytale with a penalty shootout win in front of an A-League grand final record attendance of 56,371 at Optus Stadium.

After 120 minutes of a war of attrition that ended in a 0-0 stalemate, the Sky Blues kept their nerve in the shootout to win 4-1 after goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne saved two penalties.

Iranian Reza Ghoochannejhad became a part of Sydney FC folklore, slamming home the winning spot kick to leave Glory and their fans who turned out in amazing numbers devastated.

It is the second time in three seasons Sydney have needed a penalty shootout to win the title, having done it in 2017 when they beat Melbourne Victory.

The Sky Blues success means they join Melbourne Victory with most championships in the A-League with four apiece. Incredibly, Sydney’s last three championships have been won via a penalty shootout

Thankfully, Sydney’s win prevented another grand final controversy after the Video Assistant Referee denied them a clear goal in the first half, ruling it offside after Adam le Fondre had appeared to score the opening goal.

After a season of dwindling attendances and poor television ratings, a VAR controversy marring the biggest game of the season would have been the last thing the A-League needed.

Nonetheless, it was a remarkable triumph for the personable Corica, who had the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of Graham Arnold at the beginning of the season. Arnold became the most successful coach in Sky Blues history, winning the championship, two Premiers Plates and an FFA Cup.

When Corica was handed the keys to the squad, there were concerns he wasn’t the right fit for the job given he had no experience coaching at senior level. His seemingly quiet demeanour was also seen as an issue given the stark comparison with Arnold’s “out there,” and at times aggressive attitude.

But he has gone about his job with a purpose and belief.

Fittingly, the win allowed Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque to end his career on a high. Brosque announced his retirement recently and will go out a winner and a legend of Australian soccer.

Another Sydney warrior, Milos Ninkovic, was named Marston Medal winner as best player on the ground.

Corica tried to deflect the praise for the success away from himself but admitted he was “very proud and privileged”.

“People have doubted me all my career. This is special,” Corica said when asked what it meant to win the title. “I won it as a player and loved it.

“It is very special for my family and myself but it was down to the boys ... they were the ones on the pitch and worked hard every day at training and I am very proud and privileged.”

Corica said he never doubted his players once the game went into extra time then penalties.

“We should have had a goal in the first half... that was a bad decision. Then we had to do it the hard way and it put us through the wringer. We were frustrated with that but I told the boys to remain focused.

“I knew we would go distance, that our boys had the mentality and character because they have been there before and done it and when the pressure is on they come up with the goods.”

For Glory, they must feel they have been smacked in the face by the footballing gods.

This was their second grand final and they have now been on the wrong end twice, not to mention losing two FFA Cup finals.

It is even worse for Tony Popovic, who has now gone four grand finals as a coach without a win. Popovic congratulated Sydney and Corica, but admitted he was devastated by the result.

“The players don’t deserve to finish the season this way. They gave so much for the whole season, we won the Premiers Plate, but didn’t win the championship,” Popovic said.

“Of course, I am disappointed and dejected, but we move on.

“The plan was to be a big club, it takes time. This is part of the building block and now we have to take the next step next season.”

This was not a pretty game by any stretch of the imagination. Gilt-edged chances were few and far between.

Both sides found it hard to find a rhythm but it was Glory who settled first. They targeted Sydney’s right side and tried to exploit Sky Blues’ fullback Rhyan Grant’s fondness of getting forward at every opportunity.

Glory wingback Jason Davidson’s battle with Grant was one of the highlights of the opening 45 minutes. If anything Davidson, who is pushing for a recall to the Socceroos, had the better of the incumbent Socceroos right-back.

Perth had an excellent chance when Dino Djulbic’s header from a corner was tipped over the bar by Redmayne on 17 minutes.

Then came the controversy.

Michael Zullo found some space on the left side and appeared to beat the offside trap before sending a low, hard cross into the box that was flicked into the net by Adam le Fondre. But the linesman flagged him for offside and the ruling was upheld by the VAR.

However, replays showed Zullo was just onside and Corica and the Sydney bench were incensed by the decision.