Intro:

Melbourne Victory beat Sydney FC 2-1 to reach the Australian A-League semi-finals at the Etihad Stadium on Friday.

Script:

Melbourne Victory took on Sydney FC in the A-League elimination final at the Etihad Stadium on Friday.

Confidence was high for the hosts as they beat AFC Champions League holders Guangzhou Evergrande 2-0 on Tuesday.

While it was Sydney captain Alessandro Del Piero's first ever A-League finals game, in probably his last A-League season.

Victory took the lead in the 19th minute when James Troisi slipped the ball to Archie Thompson.

The veteran forward scoring his 78th goal of the A-League to became the League's all-time top scorer.

However, the Sky Blues were back on level terms 14 minutes later.

Del Piero found Ali Abbas out wide before the midfielder's cross was met by an unmarked Seb Ryall.

Sydney could have taken the lead in the 41st minute but Del Piero hit the post from Garcia's cross, leaving it all square at the break.

Del Piero set up another two opportunities for the visitors, but Jurman and Despotovic were unable to convert in the second half.

Extra-time looked to be a certainty before Brazilian playmaker Guiherme Finkler struck in the dying seconds to snatch a dramatic win.

Fullback Adama delivered an lovely lofted pass to Finkler, who supplied an ice-cool finish to put the hosts in the semi-finals.