The Central Coast Mariners have defeated Melbourne Victory in the first ever A-League Women’s Grand Final to be decided by a penalty shootout on Sunday.
Isabel Gomez was named Player of the Grand Final in a performance that saw her score the Mariners only goal of the game, and convert her penalty.
Read our review of the Matildas at Home action below.
Melbourne Victory 1 – 1 Central Coast Mariners (Penalties: 4-5)
The Central Coast Mariners have become A-League Women champions for the first time, defeating Melbourne Victory in a penalty shootout after the teams were unable to be separated in 120 minutes of play.
The first half was a cagey and nerve-wracking affair with few chances for either side. Victory thought they took the lead through Emily Gielnik, but it was ruled out due to offside.
Things really started to open up after the break. Isabel Gomez scored the first goal of the game only moments after half-time. A ball over the top failed to be cleared by the Victory defence, allowing Gomez to pounce and apply the required finish to give the visitors the lead.
Victory peppered the Mariners goal as they looked to secure an equaliser. Another goal was disallowed, this time for a foul on the goalkeeper from a corner. It looked for a moment as if Gomez’s goal would be enough.
However, the pressure eventually told. Kiwi international Claudia Bunge headed home from a corner in the 80th minute to equalise, send the game to extra time, and then eventually to penalties.
Emily Gielnik and Alex Chidiac both converted their penalties for Victory, while CommBank Young Matildas Tiana Fuller and Peta Trimis did the same for the Mariners. After an earlier Victory miss, it all came down to Mariners captain Bianca Galic - who made no mistake from the penalty spot and won the game for the Mariners.
All the CommBank Matildas on the park played the full 120 minutes – Gieilnik, Chidiac and Alana Murphy for Victory, and Gomez and Jessika Nash for the Mariners.
The Mariners became the first team since the extended finals series began to finish outside the top four and win the championship. It was a remarkable underdog story and one that will resonate with the broader Australian sporting public.
For Melbourne Victory’s part, they can reflect on a fantastic regular season that was only decided by the flip of the coin, that is, a penalty shootout.
