Our season ended in heartbreak, being knocked out in the semi-finals via a penalty shootout
The visitors had a real chance inside the first two minutes when a free-kick on the edge of the box was met with a glancing header which flashed just wide of the post.
The Jets had the next real chance of the match on the 26th minute mark when a ball over the top of the defence from Max Burgess was met by Clayton Taylor who saw his shot flash just wide of Harrison Devenish-Meares post.
The Jets made a bright start to life in the second half when a clever ball across Sydney’s backline was controlled by Lachlan Rose who hit shot well which Devenish-Meares had to be wary of.
Lachlan Bayliss was the next to go close when his shot on the edge of the 18-yard box was inches wide.
The visitors found the breakthrough in the 63rd minute when a shot from Akol Akon was palmed into the path of Piero Quispe who made it 1-0.
The Jets had a big chance when Xavier Bertoncello was fouled on the edge of the 18-yard box. Lachlan Bayliss’ flick to Eli Adams was blocked by Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant.
It looked as though all was lost, as the clock hit 95 minutes. Up steps Eli Adams. Wilmering lifted a ball into the box, which was met by the left foot of Eli Adams. Eli lifted the ball delicately into the top right corner. Pandemonium ensued from the crowd, with 25,000 Novocastrians screaming into the night sky.
With both teams tiring, the match couldn’t be settled in extra-time and needed penalties to decide who would continue to the Grand Final.
James Delianov stepped up and saved Sydney’s first effort, which had come from Joe Lolley. Kosta Grozos then had his penalty saved.
Rhys Youlley, Kota Mizunuma, Victor Campuzano and Ben Gibson all converted their spot kicks to keep the shootout level.
Sydney FC skipper Rhyan Grant put his penalty straight down the middle, before Bertoncello heartbreakingly had his saved by Devenish-Meares.
Ben Garuccio stepped up to convert his kick and send Sydney through to the Grand Final in Auckland next weekend.
