Sydney snatches premiership
Two stunning goals worthy of the occasion have seen Sydney FC snatch the A-League Premiership with a dramatic 2-0 win over Melbourne in a riveting finish to the regular season at the SFS on Sunday night.
Karol Kisel's classy 25m volley on 34 minutes was bettered early in the second half when John Aloisi took the ball in his own half and kept the Victory defence back-pedalling before letting fly with a cracking left-foot shot that crept inside the near post.
Both are goal-of-the-year contenders, the occasion bringing the best out of the home side after it started the day two points behind its great rival.
The win not only gave the Sky Blues their first Premiers' Plate but also secured automatic qualification for next year's Asian Champions League, much to the delight of the pro-Sydney crowd of 25,407.
However, Melbourne won't have to wait long to get its chance at revenge with the teams to meet in the first leg of the major semi-final at Etihad Stadium on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Perth Glory has moved to the top of the National Youth League with a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar at Clipsal Stadium in hot conditions on Sunday morning.
Andrija Jukic scored the opening goal of the contest midway through the first half after he had come on as a substitute and then Branko Jelic put in a wonder strike from a freekick just outside the penalty area for the second.
Tim Smits got one back for the Roar in the 81st minute, but the Glory held on for the 2-1 victory.