Sydney FC's dramatic penalty shootout win over Melbourne Victory last night was the most-watched A-League match of all time.
Over 550 thousand viewers watched the decider with Milos Ninkovic delivering the knock out punch.
"What a situation. and the Johnny Warren medalist .From the spot! It's a championship and a third for Sydney FC.! Absolute jubilation at Allianz stadium.Trailing 1-0 at the break they've come back, both in regular time and in the penalty shoot out. What a moment for Milos Ninkovic, heartbreak for Melbourne Victory."
It was a moment of particular triumph for Sydney coach Graham Arnold.
"Look, I'm just really, really happy for the boys. They're such a wonderful group of people, and they come up with the right attitude every day. For me, justice was done. We've had such a fantastic year. To finish it off is great. But I want to praise Melbourne Victory. They were outstanding. It's a bad way to lose. I've lost a Grand Final like that before myself. And (Melbourne Victory coach)Kevin Muscat and Melbourne would be hurting. But they should be very proud of their game."
Sydney fans turned out to greet the team and take a look at the trophy - colloquially known as 'the toilet seat'.
Captain Alex Brosque said it had taken too long - seven years - to win a trophy.
"It was something special and it has been special. All year the records that we broke the run that we went on was incredible and to cap it off last night with a win you know in a dramatic way was is exactly what the team deserved.
As Sydney celebrated, the Melbourne Victory squad returned home.
Waiting for the team's luggage at the airport, Captain Carl Valeri was slightly downbeat, but had some positive words.
"Apart from the end I think there were alot of positives, the way we fought, the way we performed and the way we executed our match point, i think it was great. and I think everyone knows it wasn't great to lose on penalties but we can't take anything away from Sydney."
And Sydney coach Graham Arnold is already looking at winning consecutive A-League crowns.
"The thing is I'm never happy. Like, I'm happy that we've done everything. But next year, I have to raise the standards even more. And I'm happy for the boys. That's the most important thing. I always try to... Wherever I work and every day I try to create high standards and standards that need to be reached. And the question is - how high the standards can go to and can be. And for me, I think that we can go higher. I think that we can get better."
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