South Melbourne wins historic Australia Cup final on penalties

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 10 Oct, 21:00 · Archive

South Melbourne became the first non-A-League team to win the Australia Cup, beating Melbourne Victory 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

South Melbourne became the first team outside the A-League to win the Australia Cup, defeating Melbourne Victory on penalties at AAMI Park in front of a near-capacity crowd of 29,911.

The match remained goalless after 90 minutes. Denis Genreau put Melbourne Victory ahead with an athletic half-volley in the 95th minute, but Max Mikkola equalised in the 117th minute to force a penalty shootout. South Melbourne won the shootout 4-3.

South Melbourne goalkeeper Javier Lopez was named man of the match. He saved two penalties in the shootout, including one from Melbourne Victory captain Jason Davidson, whose father Alan had been a South Melbourne player. South Melbourne scored all their penalties, while Victory missed two.

The win carries significant symbolism in Australian football. South Melbourne represents the old National Soccer League, which operated until 2004. The club had won four NSL titles before being excluded from the A-League when it was founded 21 years ago. Melbourne Victory, established in 2006, represents the modern era. South Melbourne have long sought an A-League licence, and this victory may strengthen their bid.

How it is being reported

• South Melbourne stuns Melbourne Victory to claim Australia CupNPL side South Melbourne stuns A-League's Melbourne Victory at a packed AAMI Park, winning an historic Australia Cup title on penalties.ABC News Australia · 10 Oct, 20:41
• South Melbourne make history with Australia Cup win that could change the future too | Joey LynchSouth Melbourne defeat Melbourne Victory 4-3 on penalties (1-1 aet) to cap night of celebration and become first non-A-League club to win the cup Sign up for Football Desk Australia: our newsletter from Jonathan Wilson It was remarkable. It was incredible. It featured the type of grandstand finish one dare not suggest as a possibility beforehand, lest you be dismissed for self-indulgence. And when South Melbourne emerged as champions of the Australia Cup after a heart-stopping penalty shootout, what was left was pure magic distilled into one of the great nights in the history of Australian…Guardian Football · 10 Oct, 14:15
• Old soccer meets new football: Australia Cup final heaves with significance | Jack SnapeSouth Melbourne and Melbourne Victory clash on what promises to be a ‘special and historical night’ and in a triumph of the competition’s concept One club represents new football, a keystone entity in the contentious reboot of Australia’s round ball game 21 years ago. It was a brand designed to bring together Melbourne’s sporting tribes. The reality was something different. The other club can trace its roots back to the 1950s, and a proud history including four titles in the now defunct National Soccer League, intertwined with the pride and community of European post-war migration. The club…Guardian Football · 9 Oct, 15:00

In this story: South Melbourne · Melbourne Victory · AAMI Park · Max Mikkola · Denis Genreau · Javier Lopez · Jason Davidson · Alan Davidson

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