There was a lot of love on display at AAMI Park after the final whistle in Wednesday’s night’s FFA Cup final as Melbourne City supporters and team celebrated and shared the joy of the club’s historic first trophy win following a tough hard fought win against Sydney FC.

As he’s done so often in his long and distinguished career, Tim Cahill, who is a week shy of his 37th birthday, provided the decisive moment in what was an even battle between the top two A-League teams.

Immediately prior to kick off, the two sets of players together with the crowd of eighteen and a half thousand, observed a minute’s silence commemorating the victims of the Columbian plane crash tragedy which killed 71 people including most of the travelling Chapecoense football team from Brazil, on its way to its own final.

It was in stark contrast to the battle which followed , from an opening scything Luke Bratten tackle on former Melbourne City player Michael Zullo, which sparked an all in melee in the opening minutes, through a tense scoreless first half played at tempo, with both defences standing firm.

Both teams pressed high up the park with most approaches to goal coming from the flanks. Both sides favoured a 4-3-3 formation with two defensive midfielders shielding the back four. Former Boca Junior player Nicholas Colazo started for City ahead of Manny Muscat, at left back and his crosses from open play and set pieces provided a couple of half chances to Cahill and Fornaroli through the air. Sydney too managed a number of crosses into the box but was unable to find targets. Brazilian striker Bobo provided its only shot on goal in the first half when his shot from distance flew into the arms of City keeper Dean Bouzanis.

For City, a timely tackle by the excellent Michael Jakobsen, snuffed out a Milos Ninkovic opening in the box, late in the half.

Both sides came out unchanged after the break. Sydney threatened briefly when skipper Brosque took a touch in the box and fired sharply but again straight at Bouzanis. Minutes later came the decisive moment when City took a short corner and fullback Ivan Franjic crossed to the far post.

Leaning back between two tall defenders, Cahill judged the flight of the cross perfectly timing his jump to guide his header inside the far post and into the net past Sydney FC keeper Danny Vukovic, capped off by his trademark corner flag celebration.

Minutes after play had resumed, Cahill lay prone on the turf holding his knee following a Josh Brilliante tackle which eventually forced him out of the match, replaced by Caceres.

City central defender Jakobsen proved his worth once more with a goal line clearance of a goal bound Bobo header whilst Brosque sliced a chance wide of the target.

With the gaming becoming increasingly stretched,the visitors had a strong appeal for a late penalty foul on Brosque turned down, whilst at the other end keeper Vukovic produced two solid saves to deny Bratten and Fornaroli. The final whistle sparked scenes of jubilation for the home team and the fans.

After the match both coaches agreed the final was more of a fight than an exhibition of outstanding football quality. Congratulating Melbourne City on its first trophy win, Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold said: “In general play it was an even contest. It was always going to be a game where it was going to be a 50-50 moment and they took their chance and we didn’t.”

Of Melbourne City he said, “They’ve obviously come a long way from their Melbourne Heart days and it shows. The backing that they’ve got, obviously spending the money that they’ve spent, they’re moving forward in leaps and bounds.”

City coach John Van’t Schip commented post-match, “It was a game that was not the best game. From the start, the first five minutes you could see that the tension was there. Players really wanted to win this final. That was all about it, because they wanted it so bad that the football was at times not the best. ..( Winning the Cup) is also a reward for the fans. Don’t forget they’ve been waiting for this for a long time as well. I’m happy to see after the game, the way they celebrated with the players and so many happy faces, they’ve been waiting for this for so many years as well.”

The coach thanked his immediate family, both here and in Holland, for their support and reflected: “But I also think of Cruyff and his legacy- the football philosophy he left behind. I want to contribute to the way he wanted to play football and I think we’re making those steps here as well.”

Both Cup finalists will resume their battle when they meet again in ten days this time in a league match in Sydney.