Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory played out one of the most tightly contested A-League Grand Finals in memory on Sunday evening. Ultimately, only penalties could separate the year’s top two sides – but what were the biggest talking points to emerge from the epic clash?
All the wash-up from the A-League grand final
» Recap: Sydney are champs, as they deserve
» Player ratings: Melbourne Victory
» Player ratings: Sydney FC
» Georgievski wins Joe Marston Medal
» Full match report
» Re-live the live blog
The Allianz pitch
There was no more contentious topic in the lead up to this monumental clash between the A-League’s two biggest clubs than the Allianz Stadium pitch. Just 24 short hours ago, the Waratahs took on the Auckland Blues on this surface – giving it a battering in the process. All week long, the question was asked, will the turf be up to standard?
Allianz’s curation team definitely came to the table on this one and got it up to speed as best they could despite the short turnaround. However, there were still a number of slips and spills as a result of the subpar surface and the fact is, it really wasn’t good enough for a Grand Final.
Is Besart Berisha the A-League’s GOAT?
The world’s best players are those who can change a game in a single moment. And that is exactly what Besart Berisha did for the Melbourne Victory this evening.
The Albanian striker did what he does best and delivered a thumping blow just 20 minutes into the A-League’s night of nights. The question must be asked, considering the ability of the Victory talisman to do it over and over again – is Berisha the greatest A-League player of all time?
The fieriest Grand Final in recent memory?
From the word go, it was clear this was to be no friendly encounter.
Victory threw their bodies around as it was clear manager Kevin Muscat intended them to play in a style not too dissimilar to the coach’s own in his playing days. Sydney struggled to deal with the physicality in the opening 45 minutes as the visitors flexed their muscles.
A number of altercations involving almost every player on the park threatened to erupt, with referee Jarred Gillett doing a marvellous job of marshalling the action – giving out a huge ten yellow cards in the process.
It was a fiery clash and one which will go down as one of the most aggressively contested in recent memory.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
A fairytale end to a fairytale season
All year long Sydney FC have been the best team in the A-League and tonight they were able to put the cherry on top of a near faultless campaign in the most epic way possible!
Danny Vukovic was ultimately the hero as he saved Marco Rojas’ penalty to all but hand Sydney FC the title – his first after 12 long years in the A-League. Milos Ninkovic struck home the final penalty and clinched the title following a season where he was crowned the league’s best player.
There were stories all over the park in a Sydney FC side who have really deserved their triumph tonight, despite not doing so in all that convincing of a fashion.
What a match, and what a night for the A-League!
Roughly 41,500 fans packed into Allianz Stadium tonight to watch Australia’s two biggest football clubs do battle for the nation’s most prized piece of silverware. Fox Sports’ telecast of the showpiece fixture was beamed around the world to 115 countries who saw the best talent our nation has to offer put on a damn good game of football.
12 years into its existence, the A-League is improving each and every year – our game is growing and nights like this are clear proof of that.
A penalty shootout special to remind you just why we love finals football so much in this country.
Congratulations Sydney FC, a well-deserved title on the back of an unbelievable season.
What an event and what a battle. Sydney FC, A-League champions 2016/17!
Sydneysider
Guest
He's still here.... LOL..LOL..LOL...
punter
Guest
Champions, unreal atmosphere!!!!! We love SFC. Hate such a ugly word.
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
The Waratahs game had been scheduled since last year. A-League needs to plan better. Book these stadiums out for the entire weekend or build your own soccer only stadiums if you don't like it.
BrainsTrust
Guest
I don;t see how playing standards would improve with Cahill and Jedinak. Neither are particularly suited with a short passing possesion game and you see that with Cahill at City. Cahill is too old , he is a great finisher particularly in the air, but in a team which was based around playing short passing combinations through the center he looks out of place. City would need to ditch Fornaroli and start working to the wings and crossing the ball in early for Cahill to be up there with the top scorers. Jedinak is better suited to the Championship, he is also getting on and mainly suited to teams parking the bus and playing long ball not A-league teams.
Simoc
Guest
Even game, great crowd but after watching Manchester City the previous evening it is so slow and the players so willing to argue with the ref at every opportunity. When I discovered it wasn't live on fta it was easier to watch updates. Well done Sydney.
jarijari
Guest
Interesting point, Johnno. Berisha played 17 games for Albania but was cleared in January to switch to Kosovo, which became a FIFA member last year. Berisha was born in Kosovo's capital Pristina in 1985, when it was still a part of Yugoslavia, but grew up in Germany and made his debut for Albania in 2006. Lots of other Kosovars have played for Albania. Albanians are the largest ethnic group in Kosovo.
Johnno
Guest
No he plays for Kosovo
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Not a great game in regards to quality but a very absorbing contest. Both teams threw everything at it. Congrats to Sydney FC. Another talking point, is Berisha eligible for the Socceroos ?!
Johnno
Guest
I'd love A-League to have unlimited imports and Marquee aussie rules(to get back more Tim Cahill/Mille Jeddinak types). Playing standards would be even better and we would see an even better GF and more competitive Asian champions sides. Great game, A-League a lot of bandwagon non soccer fans watched tonight. Good advertisement for the game tonights GF. NPL is where you develop aussies and overseas clubs, make the A-League a cash cow by having best possible standards. Great night tonight. A-League to avoid playing surface and booking stuff should have designated venue picked at start of year like AFL/NRL.
me too
Roar Rookie
Watched it but found it a chore. In the end Sydney deserved the win to cap off a great season, but can't see it being remembered as a great final.
Simon
Guest
I know it'd be great to have it live on free to air, but boy there is a romanticism to turning your phone off at 5pm and watching the whole match uninterrupted. SBS's coverage was great, amazing Grand Final