And breathe!
Wherever you are in the world, Saturday evening’s finale at Allianz Stadium will take some topping.
Against the nine men of Wellington Phoenix, Sydney FC wasted two penalties deep in stoppage time to slump to a sensational 1-0 defeat in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Wellington led 1-0 at half-time before the visiting ‘Nix had to navigate numerous hurdles in the second 45 minutes – Bozhidar Kraev was shown two yellow cards and team-mate Nicholas Pennington was sent off for grabbing Max Burgess by the throat in the 86th minute.
But if that was not enough, the drama intensified deep in stoppage time as tensions reached fever pitch on the sidelines.
First Sydney were awarded a penalty in the 96th minute for a handball against Tim Payne, only for ‘Nix skipper and goalkeeper Oli Sail to thwart Adam Le Fondre.
The Phoenix thought they had seen out the challenge, however, another penalty was given. This time Shaun Evans pointed to the spot for yet another handball within a minute – the referee consulting VAR and on inspection he found that Wellington’s Callan Elliot had used his hand to stop a cross back into the box.
Le Fondre stepped up again, though he skied his effort over the bar in wild scenes.
Re-live the chaotic ending via Network 10 commentator Simon Hill and Andrew Durante below.
Hill: “In it comes to Le Fondre and [Scott] Wootton is there, rather [Tim] Payne this time… and they’re pointing to the penalty spot! Another controversial decision! David Ball is leading the protests. Shaun Evans involved again. Goodness me, you could not make this up!
“In the fifth minute of stoppage time, he’s spotted a handball there. Ufuk Talay looks crestfallen – but Evans was adamant.”
Durante: “That’s come off his back. VAR will come in here. That’s come off his back.”
Hill: “Goodness me.”
Durante: “Shaun Evans was quick to point to the penalty spot, he thought he saw it as clear as day to point that quickly. But surely VAR are looking at this?”
Hill: “Well, you can hear what the Wellington bench (think). I think Ufuk Talay’s about to spontaneously combust if this is not overruled.”
“To me that’s off the back – now, the penalty, can I tell you, has been upheld!
“I am in utter disbelief, Andrew Durante.”
Durante: “That is incredible.
Hill: “Wow, there’s going to be eruptions after this. But Sydney have a lifeline. Can they take it? Adam Le Fondre, normally very reliable from the spot. But the way in which it’s been awarded, is oh so controversial.
“Le Fondre against Sail… and Sail makes the save! Incredible – and I think justice has been done! Justice has been done in my opinion.”
Durante: “What a game we have here. That is unbelievable! Oli Sail, huge save to deny Le Fondre. Incredible scenes here.”
Hill: “They’re still not out of the woods yet Wellington. They’ve got a corner to defend. What an heroic effort…”
Durante: “Oh, what have we got here…”
Hill: “And what’s going on here!?
Durante: “He’s come off his line or something.”
Hill: “Don’t tell me.”
Durante: “This is incredible.”
Hill: “Don’t tell me.
“We’re looking at a post-penalty save handball – that’s what I’m being told!”
Durante: “What?”
Hill: “From [Connor] O’Toole’s shot. I think I’m hearing laughter from the Wellington bench!
“I think that’s off the chest as well isn’t it, Dura?”
Durante: “It’s hard to tell from that angle, but even if it hits him, I feel like his arm is in line with his body. I thought that’s a natural position? I don’t know. That’s hit his arm.
Hill: “This is the most incredible second half of football I think I’ve witness in A-League history. I think they’re going to give a penalty for this, you know?”
Durante: “I think they will. But where’s a player meant to put their arm as they slide in? Hold them by their side?”
Hill: “I do not believe it. A second penalty for Sydney, after two red cards issued.
“Wow. That’s all you can say. I’m absolutely speechless. Two red cards, two penalties, Oli Sail, he can see the funny side of it. He’s in the zone now, where he’s thinking: ‘It’s all just going against us, what can we do? I’ve just got to try and save it again!’
“And on top of it all.. it’s started to rain!
“Le Fondre again. He’s seen one effort saved. It might be the last kick of the game –
“AND HE’S PUT IT OVER THE TOP OF THE BAR.”
Durante: “You’re joking!
Hill: “I see it, but I do not believe it! I am utterly, utterly speechless.”
Durante: “You’re kidding!
“You can see on the replay he’s just gone for power, he’s missed the goal completely.”
Hill: “Wake me up, Dura, I think I’m dreaming!
Durante: “What are we watching here? What a game of football. What a game of football we are watching. It’s had everything.”
Hill: “Except a goal for Sydney. And I tell you what: Wellington will celebrate like they’ve won a Grand Final.
“And they have done it! Heroic is only half the story… there’ll be much, much more too come in the post-game press conference. Sydney are beaten at home once again. That folks, was just the most remarkable second half of A-League football I think I have ever witnessed.
“There will be questions asked long into the night, maybe into next week, about some of those decisions. They all went in favour of Sydney FC – but still, at the end of the day, Wellington Phoenix thanks to Oskar Zawada’s first-half goal, come out as the winners – and you’ve got to say, in the face of adversity, they fully deserved it.
“Incredible. Sydney FC nil, Wellington Phoenix one – and that is just the bare bones of a very, very intricate story.”
