Heidelberg United Alexandros painted Victorian football yellow and black, claiming the NPL crown with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Dandenong City in the grand final.
The clash at Lakeside Stadium was a proper spectacle—brilliant goals, fierce passion, and a buzzing crowd from end to end. It was the perfect stage for the season’s biggest match.
The game was a tight affair. Dandenong City, led by Nick Tolios, went toe-to-toe with United in the early stages, creating the more dangerous chances in the first half of the opening period. But as the minutes ticked by, the Yellow and Blacks found their rhythm, gradually taking control.
Their breakthrough came just before the break, with Bul Juach coolly slotting home a penalty to give Alexandros the lead.
After the interval, Anastasiadis’ side came out with a spring in their step. They moved the ball with confidence, upped the tempo, and the second goal felt inevitable. It arrived in the 53rd minute, courtesy of a stunning individual effort from Max Bisseto, who finished with a belter that nestled into the Dandenong City net. From there, the match shifted. Alexandros sat back, ceding possession and focusing on their defensive duties. The Croat Australian outfit pulled one back through Bozinovski in the 83rd minute, but despite a late surge for an equaliser, their legs were gone, and the scoreline held.
When the final whistle blew, the Alexandros players, coaching staff, board, and fans erupted into a joyous pile-on, celebrating a monumental moment for the club. Heidelberg United Alexandros are back on top of Victorian football, and now they’re gearing up for their biggest challenge yet: the Australia Cup final against Newcastle United. A chance to do the double and etch their name in history awaits—an almighty task for an extraordinary team that’s proving they can achieve anything.
VPL1
Brunswick City’s Leonidas gave it their all but fell agonisingly short in their promotion play-off against Melbourne City, losing on penalties. The 90 minutes were pure magic, delivering a thrilling spectacle that had fans of both sides on the edge of their seats. Melbourne City struck first through Kalms in the 7th minute, but Leonidas battled back, with Timms levelling the score in the 79th minute. Kalms restored City’s lead from the spot in the 83rd minute, only for Sione Faapoi to equalise for the Greek Australian side in the 88th minute, sending the match to extra time. The score remained locked, and in the penalty shootout, Melbourne City held their nerve to secure promotion to the NPL.
It’s a bitter pill for Brunswick City to swallow, but they should hold their heads high. Their effort throughout the season brought them within a whisker of the NPL’s big stage—a remarkable achievement.
Results
Heidelberg United 2 – 1 Dandenong City (43′ B. Juach [pen], 53′ M. Bisseto – 83′ M. Bozinovski)
Melbourne City 2 – 2 Brunswick City (3-2 on penalties) (7′, 83′ R. Kalms – 79′ K. Timms, 88′ S. Faapoi)
