‘Monumental moment in Australian football’ as A-League giants stunned
South Melbourne turned Saturday at AAMI Park into a history-making night by becoming the first NPL side to win the Australia Cup.
Hellas won the match in a penalty shootout with Melbourne Victory which finished 4-3 after Jason Davidson sent his shot over the bar.
South Melbourne celebrates winning the Australia Cup. Getty Images
The finish sparked emotional scenes in the crowd and on the ground, ending A-League clubs’ long reign of winning the competition that started in 2014.
“Joyous scenes, and so they should be, because this is a monumental moment in Australian football,” Bruce Djite said on Paramount+.
“What an honour to be here live today to witness what we’ve witnessed tonight.
“You just cannot make this stuff up. That’s football. That’s the power of the game.
“But honestly, if you are an A-League chairman right now, watching this, and you are interested in the value of your franchise, you need to get the most sophisticated NPL clubs involved in the A-League.”
Regular time ended at 0-0 before Victory’s Denis Genreau scored off a half-volley in the 95th minute.
When it looked like the title belonged to Victory, chaos arrived in the 117th minute as South Melbourne substitute Max Mikkola scored an equaliser.
The 29,911-strong crowd then watched a thrilling penalty shootout before Hellas ended victorious.
They could now line up in the Asian Champions League 2.
South Melbourne co-president Bill Papastergiadis delivered an emotional message when interviewed on the pitch by Andy Harper.
“We find ourselves standing on the shoulders of migrants who set up this club 70 years ago, who never lost faith in unity, prosperity and equity,” Papastergiadis told Paramount+.
“It’s a club built on multiculturalism, on giving enjoyment to its spectators and its fans. And it’s about football. It’s not about South. We’re the Trojan horse for opening up football around the country.
“And may I say, how sweet it is ... it’s as good as the birth of my children.
“And it’s not just that, because it’s something bigger than me. It’s big for football. It’s big for the club. And it’s big for the people behind us who believe in what we do.”
