Melbourne Victory claimed the FFA Cup crown with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.
Summary
Jason Davidson put Victory on track with a stunning 70th-minute free-kick at AAMI Park.
But there was late drama, Chris Ikonomidis doubling the advantage before Oliver Bozanic pulled one back and made for a nervous final few moments.
Victory clinched a second FFA Cup crown and first since 2015, securing a place in the AFC Champions League play-offs.
In front of their rapturous home support, Victory created a chance in the sixth minute, Jason Geria’s header from Jake Brimmer’s corner comfortably saved by Mariners goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.
As both teams looked to settle, Victory defender Brendan Hamill produced a good block from Nicolai Muller’s attempt in the 10th minute.
Marco Rojas was particularly dangerous for Victory early on, just unable to find Nick D’Agostino with a cross that would have set up a tap in.
Victory goalkeeper Ivan Kelava had a simple save to make approaching half-time, easily holding onto a long-range effort from Bozanic.
A foul by Moresche on D’Agostino in the penalty area in the 50th minute saw referee Shaun Evans point to the spot, but the decision was changed due to an offside call.
Victory was piling on the pressure to begin the second half and Ben Folami fired straight at Birighitti from 20 yards just after the hour-mark.
And with 20 minutes remaining, Victory deservedly opened the scoring through Davidson’s first goal for the Club.
After Rojas was fouled just outside the area, Davidson curled a wonderful free-kick into the top corner to make it 1-0.
Ikonomidis doubled the advantage in the fifth minute of additional time, powering a superb finish into the corner after a pass from Francesco Margiotta.
Bozanic’s late goal made for a nervous final few moments, but Victory closed out the win to claim the trophy.
Key moment
Player in focus
Rojas set the tone for Victory with a bright performance, regularly threatening the Mariners as the host pushed for a breakthrough.
Implications
Victory secured a second FFA Cup crown and first since 2015, while winning a first piece of men’s silverware since 2018. It also claimed a meeting with Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League play-off.
Result
FFA Cup 2021/22 Final
Melbourne Victory 2 (Jason Davidson 70′, Chris Ikonomidis 90+5′)
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Oliver Bozanic 90+7′)
Melbourne Victory: Kelava (gk); Geria, Spiranovic, Hamill, Davidson; Brillante (c), Broxham; Rojas (Velupillay 82′), Brimmer (Kirdar 90+2′), Folami (Ikonomidis 74′); D’Agostino (Margiotta 75′).
Central Coast Mariners: Birighitti (gk); Miller, Hall, Rowles, Farrell; Muller (N’Kololo 56′), Bozanic (c), Steele (Balard 73′), Nisbet (Kuol 80′); Urena, Moresche (Goddard 73′).
Yellow cards: Steele 69′, Folami 72′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBA
Venue: AAMI Park
Next up
Victory will make the trip to Wollongong to face the Wellington Phoenix in the Isuzu UTE A-League on Wednesday.
