For a record-setting third time Melbourne Victory were crowned A-League champions after a 3-0 grand final win over Sydney FC on Sunday afternoon.
In a battle befitting of the competition’s 10th anniversary, it was the Victorian titans who stood tall after ruthlessly picking-apart the Sky Blues.
A physical opening set the tone for the match with two highly-talented midfields trying to capture possession, but from the outset the visitors were noticeably unsettled and put on the back foot by the Victory’s pressure. Getting the best of the early opportunities, the breakthrough came from the only suitable man on the pitch, Besart Berisha controlling a pass from Gui FInkler and powering a shot inside the far post in the 33rd minute.
Trailing on the grandest domestic stage, there was little a smothered Sydney could do to get themselves back into the game, their key attackers completely shut down and the ball rarely finding its way into their attacking third. Kosta Barbarouses capitalised on a scramble inside the box to extend the advantage with 10 minutes to play, and although not a picture-perfect finale due to Carl Valeri’s senseless late red card, a stoppage time goal for Leigh Broxham ended the afternoon in the Victory’s typical dominant fashion.
Formations
Kevin Muscat named an unchanged starting XI from the previous week’s derby victory. In the 4-2-3-1 formation, Leigh Broxham and Nick Ansell held on to their places in the defence. Carl Valeri partnered Milligan in the holding-positions, while Gui Finkler, Barbarouses and Ben Khalfallah provided the ammo for Berisha in attack.
Melbourne Victory starting XI: Thomas (GK); Broxham, Ansell, Delpierre, Georgievski; Valeri, Milligan; Barbarouses, Finkler, Khalfallah; Berisha
The Sky Blues also remained unchanged from their 4-1 Semi-final domination of Adelaide United and too took to the field in a 4-2-3-1 formation, also Graham Arnold was soon forced to switch this up after Jacques Faty was forced out of the game with a hamstring injury in the 19th minute. After devastating the Reds’ defence last weekend, Bernie Ibini, Chris Naumoff and Alex Brosque lined-up behind Golden Boot winning striker Marc Janko.
Tactical brilliance leads to third championship
While neutral onlookers would have been hoping for another wild six-goal battle between the competition’s best attacks, the strategy applied by Melbourne ensured they were the only side who would be able to find a path to goal.
Kevin Muscat has summoned the best out of his players all season and this triumph was certainly the culmination of those efforts, illustrating at both ends of the pitch why they were so heavily favoured at the beginning of the campaign. At the back, Melbourne were resolute and physical in refusing to budge, Broxham rewarding his coach’s faith and Milligan and Valeri dominating the middle-third of the pitch, hardly letting the likes of Ibini or Brosque a yard of space to gain any forward momentum. The hosts were vicious in their pressure, either intercepting, blocking or recovering the ball in the majority of Sydney’s attacking moves.
The masterful grand final performance and indeed the entirety of Victory’s dominant season was perhaps best-summed up on the scoreboard, with golden boy Berisha netting the opener and the unwavering Broxham sealing the deal minutes before the final whistle.
The Milligan show
The lynchpin of Muscat’s gameplan, Milligan put on one of the finest performances ever seen in a grand final, making his presence felt in what seemed like every yard of the pitch. Instrumental in neutralising Sydney’s playmakers, the 29-year-old was a terror for Naumoff especially, winning 100% of tackles and proving to be a stonewall around the 18-yard area. Composure in this kind of high-pressure environment saw Milligan take three shots on goal and distribute the ball at over 90% accuracy, deservedly awarded the Joe Marston man of the match medal after a campaign where he led the Victory to undisputed A-League supremacy.
Starved Sydney generate little threat
It would be hard to find a position on the field where it could be said that the Sky Blues had the advantage, Arnold’s line’s outmuscled and constantly kept on their toes. In sharp contrast to their Semi-final encounter where the playmakers were almost given free-reign, the visitors could barely string two passes together in the effort to link-up a counter-attack.
As could be expected, this chokehold on the wings from the visitors resulted in a fatal lack of chances on goal, with the competition’s top scorer Janko only able to take one attempt. Others such as Ibini and Naumoff, who were on-fire against Adelaide were totally shut-out, and the only other Sydney shot on target came from Alex Brosque.
Sydney FC Conclusion
There is no more bitter a feeling in football than missing out at the final hurdle, but Graham Arnold’s men simply could not muster enough to provide an obstacle for the Victory juggernaut. Taking a very shaky start to the campaign into consideration, a runners-up placing may not be something to be so disappointed about, yet the quality in Sydney’s side held the potential for a much tighter contest.
Immediate concerns for the Sky Blues turn now to the future of their star hitman, with Janko remaining undecided on where his services will be utilised next season. Although coming-up short, it is clear there is an exciting vision for Sydney going forward and undoubtedly they will remain contenders next year.
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Melbourne Victory Conclusion
From the imposing shadow of Berisha, to the bottomless engine of Milligan and the unbreakable spirit of Daniel Gerogievski, Melbourne put a stranglehold on this grand final that would likely not have been broken by a Sydney outfit at the top of their game. There can be little argument when the best team of the season ends up with the championship, and the Victory have made sure the A-League’s 10th season will be remembered for being wrapped in navy blue.
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