Less than a year since he was charged with lifting Melbourne Victory out of the doldrums, Tony Popovic’s revolution has delivered its first trophy in a dramatic 2-1 FFA Cup final triumph over Central Coast.
Jason Davidson’s world-class free kick handed Victory the deserved advantage in the 70th minute, with Chris Ikonomidis’ 95th-minute volley proving the winner before Central Coast skipper Oliver Bozanic created a nervous finish in the 97th.
The triumph, Victory’s second Cup win after 2015, came just eight months after their first wooden spoon.
Popovic was appointed in April last year and officially took charge in July, with his first task a play-off to even reach the Cup round of 32.
Victory then went on a barnstorming cup run, using 31 players in a campaign culminating in Saturday night’s triumph in front of 15,343 fans at AAMI Park.
“It’s a step forward, of course. This club was accustomed to winning trophies, challenging for honours constantly, regularly,” Popovic said.
“Expectations have always been high and we’ve brought that back now.
“Today we had an opportunity to win something and we took that opportunity.”
The Victory celebrate the FFA Cup. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Popovic’s first domestic final win also earned Victory an Asian Champions League play-off spot – a one-off away game against Vissel Kobe in March.
For the first time, the Mark Viduka Medal for player of the match was a tie, with Victory midfielder Jake Brimmer and Mariners defender Kye Rowles, who only returned from his first Socceroos call-up on Friday, sharing the honour.
“I’m very honoured and privileged to win the medal and it’d just be better if we were lifting the trophy,” Rowles said.
“But going forward, it shows that we can match it with the big boys in the league.”
The game cracked open when Marco Rojas’ barnstorming forward run was cut short by Harrison Steele.
Davidson had acted as Brimmer’s decoy on previous set pieces but stepped up and thundered a wonderful left-footed strike into the top corner.
Brimmer revealed he’d told Davidson to shoot left after seeing Mark Birighitti step to his right on his own earlier set piece.
“I said to Davo (Davidson), ‘go left’ and funny enough, he hit it left. (Mark) Birighitti took a step to his right and he had no chance,” he said.
“So fair credit, credit where credit’s due and Davo hit a wonderful free kick.”
Victory snared their second when Brillante’s quick free kick ended up with Ikonomidis, who chested it then smashed a sweet left-footed volley home.
Bozanic scored a late left-footed strike but it proved only a consolation.
Mariners coach Nick Montgomery expressed his pride but played down his disappointment of being unable to register striker Jason Cummings for the final.
“I didn’t think there was much in the game at all. I don’t think they really tested us for the 90 minutes,” he said.
“It’s a learning curve. It’s a sloppy little free kick at the edge of the box and they’ve got some quality players on dead balls if that happens.
“On the day, it’s a fantastic free kick so far other than that, we frustrated them. There was nothing in the game.
“It’s been a tough journey for us to get here, I’m super proud of the boys.”
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Mariners unlucky not to get a penalty, hard to understand, and a bit tough given the dive they were fouled on that resulted in a terrific spot kick. Victory looked more the better, but they got a massive advantage with their home ground. Why do Mel and Syd teams always get those advantage calls?
Coastyboi
Guest
Half the CCM’s squad were still getting over the effects of COVID. It lingers, fatigues the body, & people take weeks to fully recover. Rematch. Let’s see if arrogant “we can win everything” Victory get COVID or not.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Kewell There are many obstacles and hindrances to overcome. We just have to continue trying to break that wall down, one brick at a time.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
Well done Melb victory you derserve the FFA cup.At least the cup is back in melbourne victoria.Melb vic are looking very dangerous at the moment.They finshed last last season but how fast they have turned it around so Quickly.They might win the A leauge they have a very strong team that play for the the coach tony popavic. He will replace greame arnold as the next socceroos coach.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
are you serious,nothing to do with covid.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
That was a great game to watch last night. Also a perfect date to play it---no cricket, no tennis, nothing else on, but the Cup final. This date should be cemented in the Australian Football calendar for the cup final. Next year it will go through a name change and be known as the "Australian Cup". I'm totally supportive of this move. As I can remember the history behind it. The mariners put up a good performance, but fell short on the night. Melbourne V, were of course the favourites and were expected to win and win well. But the Mariners, had other ideas and the game was a nail biter; especially in the last 15 mins of the match. Beautiful well taken goals and football was the winner---the way it should always be. Congratulations to all; it was a great final to watch on 10 TV. I hope the ratings were as good as the game last night.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Mariners hardly did anything in attack yes the defence is young but the older attack didnt work. The penalty should have actually been awarded because I think Davidson fell onto Millers legs as he was going for the header.
Redcap
Roar Guru
I do love a good header - there was a nice one in Getafe-Levante yesterday morning.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
That was a great goal by Ikonomidis. Good crowd, befitting of the occasion, and last night's 5 city rating of 110k is the best for the season. So a successful final all round.
jbinnie
Guest
AMD - Funny how goals register with the viewer but there has been some beauties scored this season.A few weeks ago ,while watching CCM play I saw a headed goal scored by a youngster that was as good as any I've seen. He attacked a cross ball as it should be attacked and met the ball fully on his forehead. The ball rocketed past the keeper into the net. Then strangely, the other night when CCM were again playing, this time against Sydney, their captain, a tireless midfielder , belted a 20 metre shot past the Sydney keeper who was standing transfixed. Goals like that and the one you mention will bring back the thousands of missing fans. Cheers jb.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Congrats Melbourne V. Three very good goals last night, but Ikonomidis' finish was a beauty - one of the best goals I've seen in any league this season.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
Choke!!!, the defence was sound until Victory scored a screamer from a dead ball. As for the youth policy, it's going strong; Hall, Miller, Rowles and Farrell made the Melbourne strikers their bunnies. The Mariners played their game plan well, and had fo sit deep noting Popas predilection for Counter. On another note, the fact an official 6 feet from Broxham couldn't see him rugby tackle Farrell is another head scratcher. They seem to be becoming weekly joke. The Byline Officials only role is to spot these infractions. That is his sole job and he was 6 feet from it...
Kewell
Roar Rookie
Great game last night, great goals. Channel 10 did a great job with the broadcast. Isn’t it great to get these games on free to air and with a media company that respects the game. And changing the name of the prize is a great idea. Wow the Mariners have improved, they play a nice style of game. Pity I can’t say that about News Corps The Australian, if you browse their electronic edition new highlights you will find not mention of the game. This is the sort of censorship that occurred in the sixties and seventies, and we shouldn’t have to accept now.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Choke from Montgomery. He has talked up his local youth policy but when push came to shove when the big occasion came he starts old Mueller a poor signing who has hardly played, Mueller got a huge break when Broxham slipped , I thought he could have scored from that opportunity but was super slow instead of turning and shooting he delayed and then even stuffed up the next pass. The French player Nkolo was his first sub, Nkolo as well hasn't featured that much, has looked fairly poor whenever he has played. Looking into his record he is 25, being a third division french player is not that bad itself, but he is not even a regular starter at that level and playing for second teams a lot for a player in their 20's . He was not only terrible but scuffed the Mariners best chance as well. Goddard has been one of the Mariners better players but only subbed on later. Kuol looked good but only got on last minute. The Mariner fullbacks got a forward a lot against Sydney , but they played like they were instructed by Montgomery to avoid going forward by Montgomery. Melbourne Victory the key to their performance was the high intensity levels of Brimmer and Brilliante. These two can be variable in their effort levels, it makes Victory a big proposition in finals matches because those two have dropped off quite a bit in some of the regular season matches. What Mariners have an abundance of is speed in defence, so they contained Folami and Rojas better than other team. Ironically the occasion where Folami in particular has totally owned teams like he did against Adelaide, lack of intensity from Brimmer and co meant they didnt take advantage of it.
Coastyboi
Guest
Let the Mariner’s properly recover from COVID first, then come to Gosford. Or, better still, play the game at a neutral location. Our proud FFA Cup, our jewel of Australian football, pandering to one of the biggest teams in Australia. The bias & contempt for our regional teams is breathtaking. This is the most uneven playing surface since Macathur relocated from Campbeltown Stadium.