Melbourne Victory have claimed FFA Cup glory this year in a dramatic 2-1 final over the Central Coast Mariners.
The triumph, Victory’s second FFA Cup title after 2015, came just eight months after their first wooden spoon.
Victory supporters were on tenterhooks the entire game, until a stunning free kick by former Socceroos defender, Jason Davidson, with 20 minutes remaining put the team on the road to success.
Next came substitute Chris Ikonomidis, who smashed home a second strike in stoppage time to put the Mariners two goals behind.
Ikonomidis’ first Victory goal came after a pass from Francesco Margiotta.
“I saw the ball float perfectly for me and I just thought I’d take my time and set my body properly on my left foot and just hit it as sweetly as I could,” Ikonomidis told Network 10.
The victory looked assured until the Mariner’s skipper, Oliver Bozanic, ensured a nervous finish to the match when he scored in the 97th minute.
Victory’s win has now earned them a shot at the AFC Champions League, with the competition winner receiving a play-off spot — an away game against Japanese side Vissel Kobe in March.
Source: ABC News.
