Melbourne Victory Women were defeated in a heartbreaking penalty shootout in the Ninja A-League Women’s Grand Final.
Keeping an unchanged squad that progressed through the semifinals, Victory were keen to extend their hot form into the Grand Final at AAMI Park.
The Victory faithful turned up in numbers for the big game, packing the stands with their Navy Blue colours to get behind the side.
The scoring was almost opened within nine minutes after Emily Gielnik found the back of the net with a stretching half-volley, but was promptly ruled as offside.
After the early action, both teams began to find their way into the game and control the action.
Midfielder Alana Murphy drew oohs and ahs from the crowd with some excellent trickery, firing an effort over the bar late into the first half.
Finishing the first 45′ scoreless, a goal would soon come after the break.
Pouncing on a deflected shot and a missed clearance, Isabel Gomez scored for the Mariners just a minute after the restart.
While disappointing, Victory did not drop their heads here and continued to play their game.
Alex Chidiac continued to tick away in the midfield and some excellent fight shown by Nicki Flannery earnt the Wuck a corner past the hour mark.
The incoming delivery was headed home by Claudia Bunge, but a foul called in the penalty area saw another goal disallowed for Victory.
Keen to keep pushing for an equaliser, head coach Jeff Hopkins called upon young gun Holly Furphy from the bench in the 66th minute.
The pressure on the Mariners’ goal continued as the home crowd rallied behind the team.
Some quick thinking and dribbling from Holly Furphy earned Victory a corner with just 10 minutes of regulation time to come, an ultimately vital action.
A hallmark of the season, Alana Murphy’s whipped delivery found the leaping header of Claudia Bunge, bringing Victory back into the game with her fifth goal of the season.
The atmosphere was buzzing as both sides were brought back level for a blockbuster finish to the game.
The Mariners thought they could’ve won the game in additional time after Annalise Rasmussen was storming through on goal, bound to win it for the visitors.
However, the striding legs of Captain Kayla Morrison came out of nowhere, blocking the shot to the shock of all in attendance – a truly world-class piece of defending.
The full-time whistle followed shortly after, giving both sides another 30 minutes to decide the winner.
Just three minutes in, appeals for a penalty kick filled the air after the ball struck the hand of a Mariners defender, a big let-off for the visitors.
Victory continued to push, with excellent play between Nicki Flannery and Emily Gielnik resulting in a few promising chances.
Holly Furphy wasn’t far from scoring a goal of her own, with Victory applying significant pressure to the Mariners.
Despite firing 30 to the Mariners’ 15 shots on goal, a 10-save performance from Sarah Langman led her side into a penalty shootout to decide the Champions.
A key player for Victory all season despite her youthful age, the crowd in attendance all collectively felt heartbroken for Alana Jancevski after she struck the crossbar with the opening spot-kick, her first career penalty miss.
While Emily Gielnik, Alex Chidiac, Holly Furphy and Kayla Morrison all managed to convert their spot kicks, clinical penalties from the Mariners saw Emily Husband’s side crowned as the A-League Women’s Champions.
So close to capping off a historic campaign with a title, it was the fine margins that separated the two teams on the day.
Reflecting on a tough result to take post-game, Jeff Hopkins couldn’t praise his side more than enough.
“I’m really proud looking back over the season, extremely proud of the efforts of the team. How the team’s progressed, how individuals progressed (and) how some of the younger players have done over the season.”
Match Details
Ninja A-League Grand Final
Melbourne Victory 1 (Bunge 80′)
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Gomez 46′)
Penalty Shootout: Melbourne Victory 4 – 5 Central Coast Mariners
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 50. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 2. Ellie WILSON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 8. Alana MURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 13. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 23. Rachel LOWE, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI
Substitutes: 62. Geo CANDY (GK), 7. Ella O’GRADY, 9. Holly FURPHY (66′), 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 41. Jessica YOUNG
Central Coast Mariners Starting XI: 1. Sarah LANGMAN (GK), 4. Jessika NASH, 5. Annabel MARTIN, 6. Isabel GOMEZ, 7. Jade PENNOCK, 8. Bianca GALIC, 10. Taylor RAY, 11. Annalise RASMUSSEN, 13. Sarah ROWE, 18. Taren KING (C), 21. Brooke NUNN
Substitutes: 17. Teresa MORRISSEY (GK), 12. Tiana FULLER (86′), 14. Greta KRASZULA (91′), 16. Tess QUILIGIAN, 22. Peta TRIMIS (110′), 25. Blake HUGHES (72′)
