The 1999 National Soccer League Grand Final, also known as the 1999 Ericsson Cup Grand Final, was held on 30 May 1999 between South Melbourne and Sydney United at Olympic Park Stadium. South Melbourne gained home advantage as although Sydney United finished higher in the regular season, South Melbourne won the major semi-final against them two weeks prior. Mile Sterjovski scored first for United as they went up 1–0 at the half time break, however, a goal from Paul Trimboli and a brace from John Anastasiadis sealed South Melbourne's second consecutive championship and fourth overall. Goran Lozanovski won the Joe Marston Medal.
Background
Sydney United finished the season with the minor premiership through a 3–1 win over the Adelaide Sharks on the final day of the season. South Melbourne finished one point from first place.
Route to the final League Standings
Finals Bracket
Match
Details
GK 1 Michael PetkovicMF 2 Steve Iosifidis DF 3 Fausto De Amicis DF 4 Nick OrlicDF 5 Con BlatsisMF 6 David ClarksonMF 7 Steve PanopoulosFW 8 Vaughan Coveny FW 9 Paul Trimboli (c) FW 10 Michael Curcija MF 15 Goran Lozanovski Substitutes:GK 20 Chris JonesFW 11 John Anastasiadis MF 16 George Goutzioulis FW 17 Jim Tsekinis DF 18 Robert LiparotiManager: Ange PostecoglouJoe Marston Medal:Goran Lozanovski (South Melbourne)
GK 30 Mike GibsonDF 2 David BarrettDF 4 Velimir Kupresak (c) DF 5 Richard PlesaDF 6 Joe VrkicMF7 Jacob Burns FW 9 Mile SterjovskiFW 10 Nathan Day MF 11 Steve BerryDF 17 Michael Santalab MF 28 Peter BennettSubstitutes:GK 20 Barney SmithDF 8 Walter Ardone MF 15 Danny Townsend FW 19 Joel Griffiths MF 25 Ante MoricManager: David Mitchell
Assistant referees: Fourth official:Match rules 90 minutes. 30 minutes of extra time if necessary. Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
Post-match
The match served as a qualifier for the 1999 Oceania Club Championship. South Melbourne qualified easily for the championship final, conceding just one goal in the group stage and defeating Tahitian club A.S. Vénus 3–0 in the semifinal. They qualified for the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship with a 5–0 win in the final. At the Club World Championship, South Melbourne finished fourth in their group, eighth overall, without recording a win and scoring one goal.
References