South Melbourne FC completed their memorable Australia Cup run with a fairytale finish this evening, lifting the trophy after a penalty shootout victory over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
Jason Davidson missed the crucial spot-kick for Victory, after South Melbourne goalkeeper Javier López had earlier denied Harry Sawyer to put his side in the driving seat.
It followed a tense and entertaining 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. There had been little to choose between the sides until Denis Genreau gave the A-League side the lead, just six minutes into extra-time.
His acrobatic effort was almost kept out Javier López, but goal line technology deemed the ball had crossed the line before the Spanish 'keeper could claw it back into the field of play.
Bul Juach almost levelled soon after - the forward's effort beating Victory goalkeeper Jack Duncan but thudding back off the crossbar.
Three minutes were left of the additional thirty when South Melbourne finally pulled level. Jordan Swibel's ball across the area was only partially cleared by the Victory defence and Max Mikkola was on hand to scramble home from close range, sending the final to a penalty shootout.
Both sides converted their opening penalties, before Sawyer was denied by López. The Spaniard saving twice in fact, with the initial spot-kick retaken on account of the goalkeeper's encroachment.
Every subsequent effort was converted, until Jason Davidson stepped up to take his side's fifth attempt. The captain however blazed his effort over the bar, sending South Melbourne's players and fans into raptures.
It marks not just South Melbourne's first-ever Australia Cup success, but the first time that a non-A-League team has lifted the trophy in the competition's history.
Congratulations Hellas!