Western Sydney Wanderers have produced a stunning A-League comeback to overrun Melbourne Heart 3-2 and spoil Harry Kewell’s farewell match.
The retiring Socceroo great looked set to end his professional football career with a win when an Orlando Engelaar special and a deflected Jason Hoffman strike gave the Heart a 2-1 lead.
But late goals to Brendon Santalab and Youssouf Hersi grabbed all three points for the Wanderers, who locked up second spot on the ladder.
The loss condemned the Heart to their first A-League wooden spoon and was an unfair reward for their sparkling play.
The sense of occasion was felt deeply amongst the 10,003-strong crowd, not just for the retiring Kewell, but for the future of their club.
With owners Manchester City planning a winter makeover, Heart fans asked their new owners to “Keep the Red and White” through banners and thousands of signs.
Despite the loss, Heart fans would probably play in pink polka dots next season if they could keep Kewell and Engelaar.
After Nikolai Topor-Stanley had given Western Sydney an early lead with a delightful arcing header, the Heart pair combined neatly to equalise.
Kewell won a free kick and played it quickly to the Dutch giant, who pulled the trigger with a scorching shot that gave Ante Covic no chance.
Engelaar, playing in almost certainly his last game for the Heart, has made a deep impression in his time at the club – matched perhaps only by 35-year-old Kewell.
Both have endured injury-plagued seasons but will be fondly missed by the Heart faithful.
They masterminded a spell of prolonged Heart pressure, eventually leading to a breakthrough.
Hoffman, another long-term injured Heart man, gave his side the lead on 72 minutes.
But that was as good as it got for the Heart, with a mad-cap 20 minutes resulting in their lead being overturned in dramatic fashion.
A rash Jonatan Germano challenge earned Western Sydney Wanderers a penalty, which was missed by Shinji Ono.
The Wanderers weren’t to be denied, with Santalab beating Velaphi despite what looked to be a clear foul on Rob Wielaert in the build-up.
Then in the 86th minute, quick feet and a neat finish from Hersi allowed the Wanderers to dance with their travelling fans.
Realfootball
Guest
If Brisbane turn up with their A game, they will win. But the problem, as we know as Roar supporters Clayts, is that they don't always bring their A game. The team's home form has been uneven. But agree that assuming an MV win is strange.
Realfootball
Guest
What a load of bollocks. ADP's ability to put bums on seats has faded with his ability to run. Who cares now, really? This ADP worship drives me crazy. It is so, so out of kilter with reality.
clayts
Guest
Why are we assuming MV will beat Brisbane in Brisbane?
ciudadmarron
Guest
Adp pulling power, yep, that's it entirely! Ffa Must have taken heart from all those huge attendances at the sfs recently. Oh... It's the derby effect pure and simple.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I'm happy with that. Some of my fellow supporters aren't too pleased but I think it's a great initiative. Desperately hoping it's a Sydney Derby semi final!
Reginald Bomber
Roar Guru
Finals arrangements, from the FFA website. http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/hyundai-a-league-2014-finals-series-info/89790 If anyone doubted the pulling power of Del Piero.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
I think Harry enjoyed himself and his argy bargy with Spira :) Good to see he was giving his all to the end. But the man for me was Orlando. Best player on the pitch. Absolute magic with the feet, creativity and passing a joy, and the goal will live long in the memory. If only he was a few years younger and able to grace the HAL for longer.
Uncle Junior
Guest
A very enjoyable game that felt like a Cup match but a pity Kewell couldn't have grabbed a goal. Impressive for WSW to come back from down 1-2 with 10 minutes to play, but unimpressed by WSW defending this season after such solid defence last season. On recent results, CCM looks well-positioned to become back-to-back Champions.
AZ_RBB
Guest
The two WSW goals might be questionable. But there is zero doubt that the first Heart goal should've been disallowed. Like Mid says above, what goes around comes around and it all evens out in the end. Really curious to see where the FFA decide to make WSW play their finals. If SFC end up playing us, it'll be at Olympic for sure but if it's anyone else I think it'll stay at Parra. I'm ok with it either way.
Bondy
Guest
And not only that we have the greatest reverse park trailer player in the HAL M Simon I always found them the hardest to break down. Lol Lol.
Swampy
Guest
I thought Kewell was marvellous last night. Seemed free of the burden of being the star and just played without care. This resulted in some wonderful touches (& even no touches - the dummy to Duganzic bamboozled the defence). It's a pity Covic was too good to allow him a goal with a tremendous reflex save from point blank. I thought for 75 minutes Heart were the far better side but to their credit WSW ran all over them in the last 15. For me the result didn't matter - it was just good to see our greatest ever player show flashes of the skill we will eventually remember him for.
Midfielder
Guest
A lot of big calls went the Drive Bys way … the penalty, both the second and third goals looked like fouls … Sometimes Kama can come back and bite … Assume the following ie Sydney win today [b]Week 1[/b] Mariners V AU … assume Mariners win MV V SFC … assume MV win [b]Week 2[/b] Roar V MV … assume MV win Drive Bys V Mariners …. assume Mariners win … [b]Week 3[/b] Mariners V MV …. Then again would FFA allow the Mariners to have a home grand final…
Reginald Bomber
Roar Guru
Good Luck WSW in the finals and hope you can win your first GTS - its a lot easier from 2nd. But you were very lucky with 2 of the goals by Santalab and Hershi that should have been disallowed and then you would finish 4th or 5th. Very lucky from FFA United.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Yeah relief seems to be the overriding emotion at the moment. Also, glad we scored 3 goals against a decent team. Getting more than 2 has been a problem this season.
WestieRBB
Guest
Djuganzic gets in great positions but his finishing is woeful! Very relieved after that match.
AZ_RBB
Guest
He saved us last week as well. For 80mins it was probably the worst defensive effort I've seen from the team in quite some time. But that also meant it was basically end to end for 90mins. Shame for Harry not to get a result but he was part of a truly great game. On TV the atmosphere almost matched the MVFC v WSW encounter from late last year.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
You can thank Covic and some wayward, well let's say typical, shooting from Mate and Willo for falling over the line. But it was a good match for the neutral.
AZ_RBB
Guest
90mins from another grand final. we can do it!!
Stevo
Roar Rookie
And this for one of our greatest :(
oly09
Roar Rookie
Bit harsh maybe? Harry looked good last night and showed, when fit, he still has it.