1995 National Soccer League Grand Final

1995 National Soccer League Grand Final
Event1994–95 National Soccer League
Adelaide City Melbourne Knights
0 2
Date7 May 1995 (1995-05-07)
VenueHindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Man of the MatchSteve Horvat (Joe Marston Medal)
RefereeEddie Lennie
Attendance16,000
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The 1995 National Soccer League Grand Final was the championship match of the 1994–95 National Soccer League season and was played between Adelaide City and Melbourne Knights at Hindmarsh Stadium on 7 May 1995.

Road to the final

Adelaide City

Adelaide City entered the final series having finished second in the league to the Melbourne Knights. In the major semi-final, they won both legs with an aggregate score of 3–1, qualifying for the grand final ahead of the minor premiers.[1][2]

Melbourne Knights

The Knights finished the NSL season as minor premiers. After losing the major semi-final to Adelaide City, the Knights followed up with a narrow 3–2 preliminary final victory over South Melbourne, who had finished sixth in the league.[2][3]

Match

First half

Melbourne Knights opened the scoring with defender Andrew Marth scoring a goal from outside the penalty box after 36 minutes. Joe Spiteri followed up with a second five minutes later.[4]

Second half

Brad Hassell had a shot hit the crossbar in the 76th minute which was Adelaide City's best chance.[4]

Details

Adelaide City0–2Melbourne Knights
Reports[5] Andrew Marth 36'
Joe Spiteri 41'
Attendance: over 16,000
Referee: Eddie Lennie

Assistant referees:
Fourth official:

Match rules

Post-match

The championship was the Knights' first win after having lost three grand finals since 1991.[4]

Melbourne Knights defender Steve Horvat was awarded the Joe Marston Medal for best player in the grand final.[6]

References

  1. ^ Schwab, Laurie (17 April 1995). "Adelaide City holds out Knights 1-0 in semi". The Age. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  2. ^ a b Schwab, Laurie (23 April 1995). "Adelaide City to host grand final after second win over Knights". The Age. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  3. ^ Cockerill, Michael (30 April 1995). "Viduka hat-trick to end Knight-mare". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Cockerill, Michael (7 May 1995). "Finally, the Knights get to celebrate their big day". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  5. ^ "1995 NSL Final". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  6. ^ Schwab, Laurie (7 May 1995). "Marth's strike sets up Knights' grand final triumph". The Age. Retrieved 24 February 2015.