A late Sasho Petrovski lob from 30 metres sealed a wonderful Sydney FC win at Newcastle securing second spot for the defending champions.
The game was played in front of the largest crowd ever to attend a football match in Newcastle, the massive crowd forced local ground officials to open the top tier of the Eastern Stand, and the Southern and Northern Hill as well as the Western and Lower Eastern Stands were stretched to full capacity.
Both teams struggled to adjust to the sandy surface at the Energy Australia Stadium, and it wasn't until the 17th minute when the first goal mouth action occurred, Iain Fyfe picks up a loose ball in the middle of the park finds Alex Brosque who turns Andrew Durrante at the edge of the penalty area but he slips as he attempts to shoot for goal.
Jade North two minutes later has the first shot at goal as his one-two with Joel Griffiths sees him in a shooting position but his shoot is wide of the far upright.
The action intensifies as a David Carney free kick from 20 meters finishes narrowly over the cross bar, a minute later Alvin Ceccoli from just outside the penalty area is wide with a low well-struck shot. Then Carney from a similar position has a shot straight at Ante Covic.
The 25th minute sees Steve Corica chip Covic but Steve Eagleton clears off the goal line.
Sydney continued with a strong high tempo pressing game that had Newcastle continually going backwards. A Ruben Zadkovich cross almost finds Brosque but Covic is able to pounce on the ball.
The Jets create what was to be their best chance of the game in the 28th minute, a Matt Thompson low hard cross finds Mark Bridge but his first touch on a bumpy surface lets him down and when his shot arrives it is too late as the Sydney FC defence blocks the attempt.
The half hour sees Carney cross for Robbie Middleby who is in front of goal but his goal bound shot is blocked by Jade North. Corica then almost puts Brosque in with an acute pass but Covic is quick to clear the danger.
Carney ends the half beating two defenders and from outside the penalty area his low shot is just wide of the up right.
The second half begins with Carney finding Corica on the wing his cross finds Brosque who stabs the ball in from in front of goal, 1-0 Sydney FC
In the 51st minute a Joel Griffiths cross is heading for Vaughan Coveny but Clint Bolton comes off his line brilliantly to intercept. Sydney break immediately and Brosque fires across the face of the goal. A minute later and Ufuk Talay finds Middleby who has only the goalkeeper to beat but shots across the face of the goal.
Milton Rodriguez comes on in the 65th minute to a massive applause from the crowd but he will be unable to waive any magic in this game. Many of the earlier Jets free kicks were wasted and Milton is unable to take during his 25 minute appearance.
The 75th minute has Carney turning Durrante inside out at the edge of the penalty area but his fierce shot is straight at Covic.
The home team finally looks dangerous in the 78th minute as Griffiths is almost through on goal but Fyfe defends well and is fouled for his effort bringing Griffiths a yellow card, the only one of the game.
In the 89th minute the equalizer almost comes, a Carle header finds Rodriguez on his favored left foot but he fires a fierce shot straight at Bolton.
In the final minute Petrovski runs on to a clearance and from 30 meters is able to brilliantly lobb Covic, 2-0 Sydney FC.