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Ikonomidis winner sends Victory into ALM grand final
Melbourne Victory are into the A-League Men grand final after a semi-final win for the ages, with Chris Ikonomidis’ extra-time goal defying Wellington Phoenix.
Victory emerged triumphant from a titanic struggle at Sky Stadium on Saturday, where a best-ever Phoenix crowd of 33,297 willed the league minnows into a first grand final.
After Paul Izzo saved a dubiously-awarded second-half penalty, Tony Popovic’s side thought they were through courtesy of Adama Traore’s 82nd-minute thunderbolt.
Adama Traore opened the scoring.Credit: Getty
Substitute Oskar Zawada instead sent the crowd into delirium with a 99th-minute equaliser, and Giancarlo Italiano’s side into extra time.
After a best-ever campaign marked by late drama, at that moment it felt impossible Wellington’s fairytale season would end in defeat.
Instead, Ikonomidis beat his marker at the back post to bundle home an extra-time corner, before Victory’s defence finished the job by holding out wave after wave of Nix attacks.
Roderick Miranda celebrates Victory’s victory.Credit: Getty
The prize for the Victory is the chance to win a fifth title next Saturday after stunning the Phoenix on the biggest night in the Kiwi club’s history.
They may even host the decider, should Sydney FC defeat Central Coast in the second semi-final to be completed on Saturday night.
AAP
Did Ange Postecoglou really back down?
If you’re a super nervous fan of either team and are looking for a way to distract yourself before kick-off, might I recommend this piece I wrote earlier about Ange Postecoglou’s clash with Spurs fans?
I watched the entirety of his 40-minute press conference this morning and it was fascinating stuff – Postecoglou admitted he misjudged the situation in their midweek match against Manchester City, which most Tottenham fans wanted to lose so as to not aid Arsenal’s title charge in the Premier League, but he doubled down on his view that winners only think about themselves.
Ange Postecoglou during Tottenham’s loss to City.Credit: Getty
Spurs have their last match of the season on Monday morning (1am AEST) against Sheffield United – then they jump on a plane and fly to Melbourne to face Newcastle United at the MCG on Wednesday night. And then Newcastle will back it up on Friday night against the A-League All Stars in a double-header at Marvel Stadium, with Arsenal’s women also taking on a local All Stars selection.
Who’s your tip tonight?
Team news: Mariners unchanged, Sydney make three changes
Here are tonight’s teams.
The Mariners are unchanged from the team that came from behind to beat the nine-man Sky Blues last weekend at Allianz Stadium:
Sydney FC, on the other hand, have made three changes. After their red cards, Jack Rodwell and Corey Hollman are suspended, while Jake Girdwood-Reich has been named on the bench after a minor injury scare in that match. Coach Ufuk Talay has replaced them with his two Brazilians, Fabio Gomes and Gabriel Lacerda, plus Max Burgess.
Good evening folks
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s A-League semi-final between the Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC. This is the second leg at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford and the Mariners have a 2-1 advantage.
I’m Vince Rugari, and I’ve been looking forward to this all week. Kick-off is at 7.45pm. I’m here to take you through all the action.
