The stunning upset was a sombre end to an otherwise glittering tenure of Graham Arnold at Moore Park whose last game as Sydney FC coach proved to be one earlier than he predicted. He became the third coach in a row to end his Sydney FC career with a defeat against Melbourne Victory.
The omens early on suggested that would never happen. Victory lost Australian international defender Rhys Williams during the warm-up before delivering the Sky Blues an early lead through the man who replaced him.
Terry Antonis of the Victory (right) lays on the ground after his own goal.
Polish international Adrian Mierzejewski delivered a perfectly weighted free-kick into the box and Stefan Nigro, in place of Williams, reacted quickest to Mierzejewski's superb delivery only to steer the ball past his own goalkeeper into the corner of the net. Midway through the first half and Sydney had snatched the lead.
However, it lasted only seven minutes. A stunning through ball from Terry Antonis put Kosta Barbarouses into space on the left flank, allowing the winger to cut into towards his target. A powerful right foot shot from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection off the backside of Sydney's Jordy Buijs, rendering Redmayne helpless but to watch the visitors restore parity.
That goal brought out the best from Sydney in the first half, responding with more intent and composure in their football. After Sydney captain Alex Brosque dispossessed James Donachie and played Mierzejewski through on goal, Victory goalkeeper Thomas narrowed the angle and stood firm to block Mierzejewski to keep the tie in the balance.
It remained as such for just 13 seconds after the restart. Immediately from kick-off, the visitors were handed a chance by Sydney FC's Josh Brillante. An uncharacteristically wayward pass from the defensive midfielder gave possession to Barbarouses on the edge of the area.
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A quick ball to Besart Berisha had Sydney's defenders frantically swarming to deny the Kosovar marksman who seized on his markers' desperation to slide a clever ball to the oncoming James Troisi. From point blank range the Socceroo made no mistake, rattling the back of the net to make it 2-1 and silence Allianz Stadium.
Victory's goalkeeper appeared all that stood between Sydney FC and an equaliser. His best intervention came in the 77th minute, leaping to the corner of his goal to swat away Bobo's looping header with outstretched fingertips.
Sydney substitute Ben Warland hit the crossbar in the dying minutes. Bobo dashed a glancing header agonisingly wide in injury time as Arnold was faced with leaving his 'fortress' breached by his rivals.
With 16 seconds remaining, Antonis got a clearance horribly wrong and fired the ball into his own net to make it 2-2 in the 95th minute.
The tragic own goal from Antonis didn't deflate the former Sydney FC star. With three minutes remaining in extra-time, Antonis dribbled past three opponents and ran the full length of the field to hone in on goal. A deflected shot rattled the back of the net to make it 3-2, shattering the hearts of his former club while making him a new star of their rivals.
James Troisi (left) celebrates with team mates after putting Victory 2-1 ahead.
Photo: AAP
The drama didn't end there and in the ensuing chaos, Victory's goalkeeping coach Dean Anastasiadis was sent-off alongside assistant Jean Paul De Marigny, footage showing the latter striking Carney. Victory's celebrations went on nevertheless as they sealed a shock win to seal a grand final date with the Jets in the Hunter.
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Dominic Bossi is a football reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.
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