Central Coast Mariners will play Melbourne Victory in the Ninja A-League Grand Final after Isabel Gomez’ dramatic 121st minute winner saw them defeat Melbourne City 1-0 on the day, 3-2 on aggregate.
City were dealt a huge early blow in the game when star forward Holly McNamara was forced from the field due to injury after just 18 minutes.
Making matters worse for Michael Matricciani’s side, winger Lourdes Bosch was then given a straight red card after striking the face of Central Coast attacker Brooke Nunn during a heated confrontation.
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In a game that had very few clear-cut chances the away side snatched the victory in the final seconds of stoppage time at the end of the 120 minutes at ctrl:cyber Pitch as the brilliant Isabel Gomez lobbed goalkeeper Malena Mieres, with the goal awarded despite suggestions the midfielder was offside.
Handed their first defeat of the season and their first in over a calendar year, Premiership winners Melbourne City suffer defeat in the most heartbreaking manner as their invincible run comes to an end.
City now turn their attentions to the AFC Women’s Champions League with a trip to China next up to contest the semi-finals.
As for the Mariners, Emily Husband’s side pulled off a major shock to book their spot in the 2024-25 Ninja A-League Grand Final as they go one better than their semi-final exit of last season.
The club will now have a week to prepare before facing Victory at AAMI Park on Sunday May 18.
A cagey opening at ctrl:cyber Pitch was halted after just 10 minutes as Melbourne City striker Holly McNamara and Mariners keeper Sarah Langman collided inside the box when contesting a cross into the area.
Both required lengthy treatment with goalkeeper Langman seemingly okay to return to play after having her nose plugged to stop some bleeding but the news wasn’t good for City.
Visibly upset as she hobbled along the sideline and sat down in the dugout, McNamara was unable to shake of the impact of the heavy collision and was ultimately replaced after just 18 minutes
Now without their star striker, Melbourne City were then dealt another huge blow in the 24th minute as winger Bosch received a straight red card for lashing out at Mariners creator Nunn.
Contesting possession on the sideline, Nunn attempted to then wrestle the ball from Bosch on the ground in a bid to restart play with a throw-in however the City winger took exemption to Nunn’s tactic and lashed out at her counterpart, swiping at her face which then saw her receive her marching orders.
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Despite going down to 10 though it was City who had the best chance to break the deadlock; Bryleeh Henry capitalising on a poor backpass from Jessika Nash in the 29th minute but she ultimately lifted the ball over the bar when through one-on-one with Langman.
Despite holding a numerical advantage the Mariners struggled to create any meaningful chances before the break with Daniela Galic going closest with a long range strike that dipped over the bar.
Dominating possession of the ball, the visitors had a good chance to open the scoring in the 62nd minute but Annalise Rasmussen skewed her left-footed effort wide of the far post when baring down on goal.
With neither side able to find the breakthrough in 90 minutes then game then went into extra time in a bid to determine just who would face Melbourne Victory in the 2024-25 Ninja A-League Grand Final.
A stalemate in the first-half of extra time, the Mariners sprung into life at the start of the second as Nunn fired a fizzing low drive towards the near post which was well saved by Malena Mieres in the City goal.
Mariners’ hearts were then in mouths in the first minute of stoppage time as a short backpass almost allowed City in but from the resulting clearance the visitors then booked their spot in the Grand Final in somewhat controversial fashion.
Capitalising on the bouncing ball in the middle of the park, substitute Peta Trimis hooked a first-time pass over the top and into the path of the en-rushing Gomez who did the rest; brilliantly lobbing the stranded Mieres to send the Mariners to the Grand Final despite replays suggesting there she may well have been in an offside position when receiving the pass.
