Sports Desk
SYDNEY: Sydney FC has claimed a historic fifth A-League crown, beating Melbourne City 1-0 in a controversy-filled Grand Final on Sunday night.
The game remained scoreless until extra time when Sydney FC striker, Rhyan Grant slotted a cross into the net from his chest, clinching the win for the match favorites.
It is the second consecutive Grand Final win for Sydney, which became the most successful Australian football team ever with a record five A-League championships.
The decision to overturn an earlier goal by Melbourne proved crucial to the end result and made the loss particularly bitter for City fans.
Officials ruled that an offside Melbourne player was obstructing the view of Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, when Harrison Delbridge slipped a ball past in the 20th minute.
Melbourne’s elation quickly turned to disappointment with the goal being chalked off, allowing the defending champions to breathe a sigh of relief.
Sydney also raised issue with a controversial decision in the first half with coach Steve Corica saying that a penalty should have been awarded to Adam Le Fondre who was taken down by a defender in front of Melbourne’s goal.
The 2020 A-League season was interrupted mid-way by COVID-19, forcing a four month hiatus and the remainder of matches to be played in a small number of stadiums in front of socially distanced crowds.
