The great Grand Final - how Twitter Reacted - FTBL | The home of football in Australia

Read what the fans had to say about last night's A-League Grand Final…

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You couldn’t have asked for a bigger or better day for football in Australia. Blue skies above Allianz Stadium, as an almost unbeatable Sydney FC prepared to take on a dangerous Melbourne Victory side. The stage was set, and Twitter was ready to react…

Melbourne dominated for the first 15 minutes, with their best chance a Rojas cutback in the 10^th minute, quickly cleared by Zullo.

After absorbing the pressure, Sydney FC flicked the switch on. The chances started to flow, but not for long. Then the switch was flicked back off…

At the 20^th minute mark, Besart Berisha did what he does best and beat a number of Sydney defenders, before calmly slotting the ball home in front of the Cove at the 20^th minute mark.

Fouls ultimately characterised a first half that was dominated by the Victory.

In the second half, however, it all changed. Sydney FC kept pushing for an equaliser, and finally received their reward in the 69^th minute, as Rhyan Grant tapped one home.

It stayed 1-1, as the teams headed into extra time…

James Troisi hit the post in the second half of extra time, but that’s as close as the match came to a winner. The dreaded penalties were the only option.

In the end, Sydney FC did it, winning 4-2 on penalties, capping off another A-League season.

An intense game, with a thrilling finish!

But how did the fans react to the important, controversial and impressive moments of the game?

On the quality of the pitch…

It was no secret that the Allianz Stadium pitch wasn’t up to scratch, and the fans weren’t happy.

Would you look at the state of that pitch... #ALEAGUEGF
— Casper (@redblackcasper) May 7, 2017

#ALeagueGF people can say whatever they want, but the quality of that pitch is an absolute disgrace.
— Nel Nel Nel (@nl689) May 7, 2017

Pitch looks like a paddock! #ALEAGUEGF Good to see the @FFA demand a quality surface for their showpiece!
— David Capstick (@cappynz) May 7, 2017

On Berisha’s goal

It's not an A-League final match without a Besart Berisha goal, is it…?

He's a freak. Big game, big man, Besart... #aleaguegf
— Tony Tannous (@TonyTannousTRBA) May 7, 2017

Love him or hate him Berisha is class #ALeagueGF
— Ange C (@sharkies12) May 7, 2017

HE IS WORTH EVERY CENT THEY PAY HIM FOR MOMENTS JUST LIKE THAT. #ALeagueGF #MVFC
— Mindy Pawsey (@MKPS001) May 7, 2017

There's a reason Besart Berisha is the best striker the #aleague has ever seen. #ALeagueGF
— Mike Tuckerman (@Mike_Tuckerman) May 7, 2017

Just remember kids, whatever you want in life, Besart Berisha wants it more.

Absolute animal. Amazing. #ALeagueGF
— Richard Parkin (@rrjparkin) May 7, 2017

He just loves these moments. It's just Besart Berisha. Love him or hate him, you just can't ignore him. #ALeagueGF #Berishaaaaaaaa @ALeague
— Leo James (@LeoJames01) May 7, 2017

On the intensity of the match…

We were all expecting a fiery encounter, and our expectations were definitely met (if not exceeded) in the first half.

Yep. Yellow cards being thrown around like high fives at a hip hop gig. #ALEAGUEGF https://t.co/4hpY8iDB0G
— Ian Walker (@thatsmrwalker2u) May 7, 2017

If you can't match them, foul them! That's #MVC strategy so far!! #ALeagueGF #SydneyFC
— Harshana Martin (@harshana05) May 7, 2017

I was watching a fight and then a football match broke out! #ALEAGUEGF
— Arron Smith (@HisGraceArron) May 7, 2017

16 Yellow Cards in the 2010 World Cup Final, #ALEAGUEGF just about on par to repeat
— Cameron Douglas (@Cam_Dougie) May 7, 2017

Surely this doesn't end with 22 on the pitch? Battle of attrition at Allianz Stadium Victory @gomvfc v Sydney FC @sydneyfc. Epic! #ALeagueGF
— Down The Guts (@downtheguts) May 7, 2017

Half-time thoughts…

Minimal amounts of free-flowing football played in that first half. Plenty of physicality. Muscat's Victory stifled Arnie's men. #ALeagueGF
— Luke Sale (@LukeSale1) May 7, 2017

Great half @gomvfc don't let it slip now, keep playing tough and aggressive. #ALeagueGF #MVFC #govictory
— Rob Bamford (@Bama__11) May 7, 2017

Wow - fantastic first half of footy. Brilliance and brutality does sum it up. #ALEAGUEGF
— Bart Broadfoot (@bbroadfoot) May 7, 2017

Wouldn't it be so #aleague that the Sydney would boss the entire season and almost go unbeaten but then lose the grand final? #ALEAGUEGF
— Ahmed Yussuf (@ahmedyussuf10) May 7, 2017

The battle for the toilet seat has been dirty play, slowing the game down and yellow card. Football doesn't win today. #SYDvMVC #ALEAGUEGF
— Jody Fitzgerald (@JodyFitz_IS) May 7, 2017

Victory in that half #ALeagueGF pic.twitter.com/7ubA3Uhm3u
— TheMoscowSlip (@TheMoscowSlip) May 7, 2017

27 fouls in the first half 😱 #ALeagueGF
— AshYoung (@Youngak145Ash) May 7, 2017

Of 11 previous grand finals only three have seen a team come behind to win - it was Brisbane each time. #ALeagueGF
— Michael Huguenin (@MichaelHuguenin) May 7, 2017