Melbourne Victory suffered a cruel defeat in the 2026 Hahn Australia Cup Final on Saturday night.
Giovanni Savarese’s team were edged 4-3 on penalties by South Melbourne after the contest had ended tied a goal apiece at the end of extra-time.
Denis Genreau’s 96th-minute goal was equalised by Max Mikkola’s late finish to send the match to spot kicks in front of a record crowd for a sporting event in a sold-out AAMI Park.
Team News
The Head Coach promoted Xavier Stella into the starting line-up, with a minor muscle injury ruling out fellow midfielder Louis D’Arrigo. Otherwise, it was unchanged from the XI that started the Semi-Final win over Sydney FC. Philipp Ziereis, having completed his concussion protocol last month, was back amongst the substitutes, along with latest signing Guillermo May.
Match Action
It was a front-footed start from Savarese’s side, and Keegan Jelacic gave Javier Lopez an early tester when he whipped his long-range free kick over a well-assembled blue wall.
It was soon Jack Duncan’s turn to dirty his gloves, beating away a dangerous inswinging corner at the near post as both the game and the atmosphere refused to settle. Uchida was next to deliver invitingly, but no South shirt was up with play to have a chance at goal.
Having weathered that mini storm, Victory created two moments of promise. Stella fired over the top from range, and Jelacic, as an overload opened up the play, saw a low effort blocked by a scrambling defender.
Beginning to tick, only a strong hand from Lopez and the woodwork kept out a zinging Santos half-volley, before the South gloveman pushed away another try from the Brazilian on a tight angle.
Half-time: South Melbourne FC 0-0 Melbourne Victory
Despite Victory not giving the opposition a moment’s rest, the Head Coach opted for two changes ahead of the hour mark, introducing Genreau and May. The Uruguayan was immediately into the Final’s cut and thrust, making a key intervention at one end and firing off-target at the other.
Genreau almost made his mark soon after, forcing Lopez into a solid stop after effectively linking with May, and another midfielder had his crack at breaking the deadlock, with Jordi Valadon putting the ‘keeper to work.
Lopez would make his best save yet to deny Santos. May, again the protagonist, broke clear down the left and unselfishly squared for his teammate; except the close-range side-foot somehow stayed out, ultimately sending the contest to extra-time.
Full-time: South Melbourne FC 0-0 Melbourne Victory
Five minutes into the additional period, the deadlock was broken dramatically. Genreau’s accurate hook hit the underside of the crossbar, and whilst Lopez claimed to have gathered it, the ball had crossed the whitewash and pandemonium ensued.
Another woodwork talking point followed; on this occasion, extra-time introduction Michael Ghossaini saw his close-range header hit the upright.
It proved pivotal, as with just a handful of minutes remaining, South levelled through Mikkola when a low centre caused one problem too many.
Extra-time: South Melbourne FC 1-1 Melbourne Victory
Heartbreakingly, South took the trophy. Conversions from May, Ghossaini and Genreau were not enough, as Harry Sawyer saw his attempt saved and Jason Davidson was off-target.
Match Details
South Melbourne FC 1 (MIKKOLA 117′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (GENREAU 96′)
South Melbourne FC starting XI: 1. Javier LOPEZ (GK), 3. Jordon LAMPARD, 4. Marko JANKOVIC (C), 7. David YOO (19. Andrew MESOUROUNI 91′), 10. Bul JUACH, 11. Yuki UCHIDA, 16. Arran COCKS (22. Maximillian MIKKOLA 76′), 17. Thomas GIANNAKOPOULOS (5. Hassan RAMAZANI 87′), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI (9. Jordan SWIBEL 110′), 23. Jacob ELIOPOULOS (8. Paulo RETRE 46′, 27. Jack PAINTER-ANDREWS (13. James LACKAY 106′).
Substitutes not used: 20. Jake CHARLSTON (GK).
Booking: ELIOPOULOS 4′, YOO 42′.
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 16. Joshua INSERRA, 15. Tom LOCKYER, 3. Jason DAVIDSON (C), 18. Franco LINO (36. Harry SHILLINGTON 106′), 8. Jordi VALADON, 22. Xavier STELLA (9. Harry SAWYER 76′), 23. Keegan JELACIC (10. Denis GENREAU, 57′), 14. Matthew GRIMALDI (21. Guillermo MAY), 11. SANTOS (4. Philipp ZIEREIS 106′), 44. Charles NDUKA (29. Michael GHOSSAINI 91′).
Substitutes not used: 1. Jack WARSHAWSKY (GK).
Booking: DAVIDSON 71′, INSERRA 87′.
