The 2009 A-League Grand Final took place at Telstra Dome in Melbourne, Australia on 28 February 2009.
It was the final match in the A-League 2008–09 season, and was played between premiers Melbourne Victory and runners-up Adelaide United. Melbourne Victory won the match 1–0 and became the winners of the 2008–09 Championship, thus becoming the first team to win the A-League domestic treble, after also claiming the 2008 Pre-Season Challenge Cup, and the 2008–09 Premiership.
The match will always be marred by the 10th minute sending off of Cristiano which pen-ultimately contributed to the loss. Similarly Daniel Allsopp was sent off in the 65th minute for an alleged headbutt. The decision infuriated Former Australia international Robbie Slater who was commentating the game "Did the blood coming from Roddy's ear sway it? I thought it was a disgraceful decision and the grand final was ruined."
As an added touch of notoriety for the game, the Grand Final was the last ever event to be held at the Telstra Dome, the former name of Melbourne's Docklands Stadium. Due to a change in sponsorship, the stadium is now known as Etihad Stadium.
Read more about 2009 A-League Grand Final: The Match, 2008-09 Finals Series, Match Details, Controversy, Match Statistics, See Also
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