South Melbourne have reignited their hopes of reaching the A-League after becoming the first NPL club to lift the Australia Cup, defeating Melbourne Victory in a dramatic penalty shootout at AAMI Park.
In one of the most memorable finals in Australian domestic football, South Melbourne held Victory through 90 minutes, recovered from a 1-0 deficit in extra time and eventually prevailed 4-3 on penalties before a sellout crowd of 29,911.
The triumph represented South’s biggest achievement in 22 years, reviving a club that, along with several other former National Soccer League powerhouses, was shut out of the top flight after the NSL folded in 2024.
South Melbourne have spent years pursuing an A-League licence, and this landmark victory has significantly strengthened their case while delivering an unforgettable night for the club.
“I really cannot find any excuse not to see this club play in the A-League,” coach Sinisa Cohadzic said.
Cohadzic had challenged his squad to make the most of its opportunity in a 54th match of the season, following South’s defeat by Auckland FC in the OFC Pro League final.
“I said to them that sometimes reality surpasses even the most beautiful dreams, and tonight was one of those nights,” he said.
“It was one of those nights where they had to believe they could get a result.”
South Melbourne became the first NPL team to win the Australia Cup after overcoming Melbourne Victory on penalties in a dramatic final
Denis Genreau gave Victory the lead with an athletic, improvised half-volley in the 95th minute. But South refused to surrender, with Max Mikkola bundling home an equaliser in the 117th minute to trigger a penalty shootout and send the packed stadium into celebration.
South goalkeeper Javier Lopez then became the decisive figure, earning the Mark Viduka Medal as the final’s best player after producing a series of crucial saves.
Lopez appeared to save former South captain Harrison Sawyer’s spot-kick, only for the attempt to be retaken after the goalkeeper was judged to have moved off his line. He responded by saving the re-take as well.
“I remember in January when the club said we want to win the Australia Cup. I said, ‘You guys, that would be crazy,’” Lopez said.
“Now we are the champions.”
South converted every one of its penalties before Victory captain Jason Davidson, the son of South legend Alan Davidson, sent the decisive kick over the crossbar.
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The historic result saw South achieve what Heidelberg last year and Sydney United 58 in 2022 could not: becoming the first NPL side to win the Australia Cup.
The victory also gives South Melbourne a technical place in next season’s Asian Champions League 2 competition.
For Victory, the loss prolongs the club’s wait for silverware. Their most recent trophy remains the 2021 Australia Cup.
South Melbourne embraced the occasion from the opening whistle, taking the game directly to Giovanni Savarese’s Victory and matching the intensity of a pulsating atmosphere on the biggest night the club has enjoyed in years.
South Melbourne’s Australia Cup triumph has strengthened the club’s long-running push for an A-League licence
A huge contingent of their fans packed the south end of AAMI Park, holding banners of club legends including Ange Postecoglou, Ferenc Puskas and John Margaritis.
‘You guys have stuck with us for 20 years, playing in the NPL and you’ve shown tonight what this future holds for this great club,’ said captain Marco Jankovic.
The only lowlight of the night was a section of the crowd at the South end booing the Welcome to Country before the match.
Victory should have taken the lead in the 78th minute when Santos’s poor shot allowed Lopez to make an extraordinary save with his knees.
But there was nothing Lopez could do in extra-time to stop himself being lobbed by Genreau’s strange half-volley, which bounced over the line before he could grab it.
Then, with the clock winding down, South substitute Jordan Swibel burst down the right and sent in a ball that caused chaos and ended with Mikkola toe-poking home.
AAMI Park erupted and when the game was sent to penalties minutes later, only one club ever felt on top.
‘We were not surprised by the stadium, by the environment… it was a proper Australia Cup the way it should be,’ Savarese said.
‘I think it will be remembered as one of the most iconic.
‘Unfortunately, on our side, I wish we lifted the trophy.’