South Melbourne have become the first member association team to win the Hahn Australia Cup, defeating Melbourne Victory on penalties in front of a record 29,911 fans at AAMI Park.
It was the first meeting in a competitive fixture between the sides that represent Australian football’s past and present – and 120 minutes of gripping football did not disappoint.
It was a historic evening of football in Australia.
Sinisa Cohadzic made two changes from the South Melbourne team that defeated Lions FC in the semi-final. Jordon Lampard and Bul Juach came into the starting eleven, moving Paulo Retre and Hassan Ramazani to the bench.
Melbourne Victory, meanwhile, made one change from their previous competitive outing in the ACL2. Louis D’Arrigo was unavailable due to injury, meaning that youngster Xavier Stella got the nod to start.
It was the less-fancied South Melbourne who started on the front foot. Yuki Uchida created a dangerous chance in the 14th minute, using great footwork to get to the byline – his cutback flashed across the face of goal and was just out of reach of Jack Painter-Andrews at the back post.
Uchida had another great chance to put a ball in later in the half, but on that occasion it was Bul Juach who his cross could not quite reach.
While South had a lot of the run of play, Victory had the clearer opportunities. The first came in the 18th minute, with Keegan Jelacic not being able to find free teammates in front of goal after a dangerous turnover. Later, it was Clarismario Santos causing issues, forcing a huge save from Javier Lopez onto the post before having another strike saved at the front post.
The half-time statistics showed an even contest, reflective of the first 45 minutes of football on the grass.
Despite an early chance for South Melbourne and Bul Juach, it was Melbourne Victory came out of the blocks looking strong after the break. Thomas Giannakopoulos and Mike Cockerill Medallist Marco Jankovic were called upon to make several blocks and clearances as Victory peppered.
Javier Lopez was very busy in South’s goal. He held onto the ball well after shots from Denis Genreau and Jordi Valadon, and was required to take charge in a number of defensive set piece situations.
Victory should have taken the lead in the 78th minute. Santos received the ball in front of goal, with only the keeper to beat from close range. He was unable to get clean connection on the shot and a diving Lopez kept scores level.
Extra time was required to separate the sides as neither team were able to convert.
The pressure finally told. A ball into the penalty area found Denis Genreau. Genreau turned, twisted, and managed to loop it towards goal. It hit the underside of the bar, creeping over the line despite the outstretched Lopez, and the A-League Men’s side took the lead five minutes into extra time.
That goal didn’t mean the game was done – far from it. Five minutes later, Bul Juach won the ball from Jason Davidson in a dangerous area. The resulting shot clattered into the crossbar, a warning shot that South Melbourne would continue to push for an equaliser.
Victory almost doubled the lead from a set piece. Jason Davidson kept the ball in at the back post after a corner, playing it to Michael Ghossaini. Ghossaini’s header ricocheted off the post.
South Melbourne just wouldn’t give up. With only minutes to go in the match, the substitute Jordan Swibel put in a great ball to Juach at the back post. Juach’s shot was blocked into the path of Max Mikkola. Mikkola was there on the spot, scoring a historic goal that sent the game to penalties for the first time in a Hahn Australia Cup final.
Penalties were full of twists and turns, as they always are. Harry Sawyer stepped up second for Victory and had his first penalty saved by Lopez. The spot kick was retaken after Lopez left his line too early, only for the South Melbourne goalkeeper to save it for a second time, giving South the advantage.
Jankovic, Swibel, Lackey and Mesourouni all scored for South, meaning that Jason Davidson needed to score for Victory to keep them in the shootout. The captain’s shot was high. Cue pandemonium – South Melbourne celebrating becoming the first ever member federation club to lift the Hahn Australia Cup.
Javier Lopez was named the Mark Viduka Medallist for his vital role between the sticks.
Match Summary
South Melbourne: 1 (4) (Mikkola 117’)
Melbourne Victory: 1 (3) (Genreau 95’)
South Melbourne: 1. Javier Lopez (GK), 3. Jordon Lampard, 4. Marco Jankovic, 7. David Yoo (19. Andrew Mesourouni 90’), 10. Bul Juach, 11. Yuki Uchida, 16. Arran Cocks (22. Max Mikkola 76’), 17. Thomas Giannakopoulos (5. Hassan Ramazani 83’), 21. Sebastian Pasquali (9. Jordan Swibel 110’), 23. Jacob Eliopoulos (8. Paulo Retre 46’), 27. Jack Painter-Andrews (13. James Lackey 105’)
Unused substitutes: 20. Jake Charlston (GK)
Yellow cards: 17. Thomas Giannakopoulos 4’, 7. David Yoo 42’
Melbourne Victory: 25. Jack Duncan (GK), 3. Jason Davidson, 8. Jordi Valadon, 11. Clerismario Santos (4. Philipp Ziereis 105’), 14. Matthew Grimaldi (10. Denis Genreau 57’), 15. Thomas Lockyer, 16. Joshua Inserra, 18. Franco Lino (36. Harrison Shillington 105’), 22. Xavier Stella (9. Harrison Sawyer 76’), 23. Keegan Jelacic (21. Guillermo May 57’), 44. Charles Nduka (29. Michael Ghossain 90’)
Unused substitutes: 1. Jack Warshawsky (GK)
Yellow cards: 3. Jason Davidson 71’, 16. Joshua Inserra 87’, 10. Denis Genreau 102’
