From the Guardian · · 1m 40s
Australia Cup final: South Melbourne vs Melbourne Victory
South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory clash in a historic Australia Cup final with deep historical ties and potential upset.
In brief
South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory clash in a historic Australia Cup final with deep historical ties and potential upset. South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory face off in a historic Australia Cup final with shared histories and potential upset. Originally reported by the Guardian.
South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory clash
South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory face off in a historic Australia Cup final on Saturday with a capacity crowd of 28,000 expected at AAMI Park.
Historical ties between clubs
South Melbourne traces roots to the 1950s with four National Soccer League titles, while Melbourne Victory represents a modern football brand.
Family connections
Jason Davidson, Melbourne Victory captain, has family ties to South Melbourne through his father Alan, who played there before a European career.
Local rivalry
Marco Janković, South Melbourne's striker, and Harry Sawyer, Melbourne Victory's forward, are close friends who have a friendly rivalry.
Supermarket incident
Janković joked about Sawyer reaching for kombucha at a local supermarket, saying it would 'settle in his stomach' before the match.
Historical significance
The Australia Cup final represents a historic convergence of old and new Australian football with potential for a major upset.
Crowd expectations
The match is expected to draw a split crowd, with Melbourne Victory's support facing a challenge in their home city for the first time.
Player backgrounds
South Melbourne features A-League talent like Sebastian Pasquali and Paulo Retre, while Melbourne Victory has players like Guillermo May and Denis Genreau.
Future implications
Janković highlighted the growing support and potential for South Melbourne to become a major force in Australian football.
The bottom line
South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory face off in a historic Australia Cup final with shared histories and potential upset.
