Melbourne Victory’s 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League season ended with a cruel 0-1 loss to Sydney FC on Saturday night.
Patrick Wood’s second-half goal, three minutes after his introduction, was the difference in the Finals Series Elimination Final at AAMI Park.
Victory were controversially denied two penalties in the second 45, ultimately unable to find a way past a resolute Sky Blues.
Team News
The headline was the inclusion of Juan Mata in the starting XI for the first time since early April, whilst Franco Lino also returned, having recovered from the knock that kept him out of the trip to Western Sydney Wanderers.
2025 Victory Medal winner Jordi Valadon was recalled in place of Louis D’Arrigo, as the midfielder, along with Sebastian Esposito and Matthew Grimaldi, moved to the bench, which included Reno Piscopo after he missed Round 26.
Match Action
It was a purposeful start from the hosts to the first Big Blue Finals occasion in seven years. In just the second minute, Nishan Velupillay produced a stop from Harrison Devenish-Meares, not that the goalkeeper appeared to know how he had diverted the ball behind.
Charles Nduka, just past the quarter-hour mark, was next to test the visiting netminder, forcing him into a sturdy, low save, as the North End did their best to beckon the ball in.
In response, Sydney were unable to cause any serious headaches from a series of corners. Although from open play, they looked more dangerous, and Tiago Quintal’s left-footed curler went narrowly wide.
It was then the turn of Jack Warshawsky to dirty his gloves, adjusting sharply to Akol Akon’s unorthodox, looping head, and help it safely over the top.
Victory would close the opening 45 by enjoying some lovely passing exchanges around the penalty area, but both times they really penetrated, an offside flag stalled their advances.
Half-time: Melbourne Victory 0-0 Sydney FC
Devenish-Meares was put to work again as Diles’ men looked to take control. Denis Genreau crossed delicately, and it took an outstretched paw to keep the contest goalless.
They would have had an even better chance to, had Lachlan Keevers awarded a 57th-minute penalty. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos decided he wanted to swap shirts with Jason Davidson before full-time, and got away with it.
Then the referee, after giving a penalty to Victory, as Santos and Paul Okon-Engstler collided, was sent to the pitch-side monitor and decided to overturn his original decision.
Looking for a different dimension, the Head Coach brought Keegan Jelacic on for the relentless Santos, but it would be a Sydney introduction breaking the deadlock. Three minutes after coming on, Wood capitalised on an undercooked header back from Lino to finish calmly.
Needing a goal, there was a triple change from the home team. Mata, Nduka and Velupillay departed; D’Arrigo, Grimaldi and Nikos Vergos entered the fray.
Creative midfielder Reno Piscopo would also be introduced later on, but Victory could not find a route through Sydney’s deep defensive block.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory 0
Sydney FC 1 (WOOD 80′)
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY (GK), 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 18. Franco LINO, 8. Jordi VALADON, 10. Denis GENREAU (7. Reno PISCOPO 89′), 11. SANTOS (23. Keegan JELACIC 71′), 64. Juan MATA (27. Louis D’ARRIGO 84′), 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY (14. Matthew GRIMALDI 84′), 44. Charles NDUKA (9. Nikolaos VERGOS 84′).
Substitutes not used: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 15. Sebastian ESPOSITO.
Booking: None.
Sydney FC starting XI: 12. Harrison DEVENISH-MEARES (GK), 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 7. Piero QUISPE, 8. Wataru KAMIJO, 17. Benjamin GARUCCIO, 20. Tiago QUINTAL (70. Ahmet ARSLAN 61), 23. Rhyan GRANT (C), 24. Paul OKON-ENGSTLER, 41. Alexandar POPOVIC, 44. Akol AKON (36. Rhys YOULLEY 81′), 80. Apostolos STAMATELOPOULOS (13. Patrick WOOD 77′).
Substitutes not used: 1. Gus HOEFSLOOT (gk), 9. Victor CAMPUZANO, 10. Joseph LOLLEY, 16. Joel KING.
Booking: OKON-ENGSTLER 68′, KAMIJO 78′, WOOD 85′, ARSLAN 90+5′.
