Sydney FC and Gold Coast: game of season?

I was there! The day that Sydney FC showed courage, determination and perseverance to win with literally the last kick of the game – a penalty that Karol Kisel converted well into stoppage time.

Kisel must have felt that he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Something like that anyway, because his team totally dominated the game.

How they didn’t score in the first half will remain one of the unsolved mysteries of the universe. It certainly wasn’t for want of trying. Sydney FC should have been ahead before the break.

However, within just seconds of the second half resumption, Gold Coast United had scored again. Talk about a travesty of justice! And, at this point, it would have appeared that this was going to be just another game of football where the better side was going to lose.

But no, Sydney FC is made of tougher stuff these days. Bruno Cazarine, a second half replacement, in part turned the tide with his goal. The tide was in fact fast becoming a tsunami of emotion when Nicky Carle scored shortly afterwards.

And then the plateau. Had both teams settled for a draw? Absolutely not, as both Sydney FC and Gold Coast United went up a gear.

There was definitely a sense that this game would have a fairytale and/or controversial ending. It had both. Cue: Karol Kisel and that penalty which will become part of Sydney FC folklore.

It was a great day to be at the Sydney Football Stadium. An even greater day to be a Sydney FC supporter. But, most importantly of all, it was a great day for the A-League to showcase everything that is good about our code.