Brisbane Roar have won the right to defend their title as they managed a dramatic win over Sydney FC on Sunday winning their semi-final 4-3 on penalties after scores were locked 1-1 after extra time.
It was a tight opening 15 minutes as both sides were cautious, not wanting to commit too many forward and risk getting caught out so both sides were getting most of their chances through the long ball.
So it was no surprise when the first goal came from a setpiec, Sydney FC opening the scoring in the 18th minute as Renee Rollason leapt the highest and headed home Servet Uzunlar's 40 yard free-kick, which was perfectly taken.
Going behind made Brisbane Roar lift and they had their best chance in the 26th minute as Joanne Burgess sent her powerful strike just wide from the top of the box.
Kyah Simon nearly doubled Sydney's lead with what would have been a stunner as she made a wonderful diving header and beat the keeper only to be denied by the crossbar.
Brisbane came out iin to the second half determined to get back in to the match and they controlled most of the play in the second half.
The decision to bring on Emily Gielnik again proved decisive as she had a huge part to play in Brisbane Roar's resurgence.
Despite Brisbane's domination of the second half, Sydney FC defended resolutely and looked to be heading to the Grand Final, until a late stunner from Gielnik in the fifth minute of stoppage time sent the match in to extra time.
Fans may have been forgiven for thinking the drama ended there, but it was only just beginning as the firey nature of this rivalry started to come to the table, twice in stoppage time Sydney FC kicked the ball out of play for a player to recieve treatment and on each occassion the Brisbane Roar players proceeded to play the throw as if it was a normal situation angering the Sydney FC coach Alan Stajcic, who went on to write a scathing piece in Australia's Four Four Two magazine.
The drama didn't end there, as time was running out Kyah Simon earned herself a second yellow card, which only further angered coach Stajcic who was then sent to the stands, having to be escorted by security from the sidelines after blowing up at the officials.
There as almost no time left after that drama and so the match went to penalties where there was more disaster for Sydney FC as both Terasa Polias and Estelle Johnson missed their penalties, sending Brisbane through.
The result keeps Brisbane Roar's 100% record of qualifying for Grand Finals intact and they will head to Canberra to play the premiers, Canberra United in the 2012 W-League Grand Final at 3pm on Saturday January 28th.
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