Terry Antonis was left in an emotional spin after firing Melbourne Victory into the Grand Final shortly after he had been the cause of their heartbreak.
In the fifth of minute of stoppage time, Antonis sliced into his own net to dramatically push a tense Semi Final into extra-time and give former club Sydney FC hope of progressing to the decider.
But, late in extra-time, the midfielder set aside his demons to surge forward from halfway and score the goal that gave the visitors a 3-2 win and a place in next weekend’s decider against Newcastle Jets.
REPORT: Melbourne Victory reach Grand Final after Antonis’ sensational redemption act stuns Sydney FC
“Emotionally it was crazy,” Antonis told Fox Sports.
“To score an own goal and then score the winner is an amazing feeling.
“We had a game plan. All the boys stuck together and gave it their all to reach the Grand Final.
“To score that here, I can’t explain it.”
The goal that secured a Hyundai A-League 2018 Grand Final position for Melbourne Victory! #ALeagueFinals #SYDvMVC pic.twitter.com/5TBoxfC5Je
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) April 28, 2018
Victory coach Kevin Muscat was proud of the 24-year-old for regathering his composure.
“He was affected for a couple of minutes. We kept getting messages to him to stay positive,” Muscat said.
“It’s just typical us and typical Victory in enemy territory.
“We said to the players ‘victory is going to taste so much sweeter by doing it the hard way’ and that’s certainly what it was.”
