Sharks steal Perth’s glory: [1 Edition]
Scott Coghlan, John Stapleton. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 13 May 2002: 1.
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Abstract
IT was the battle of the richest men in Australian soccer, and it was Olympic’s quartet of Greek owners that were celebrating last night after the Sharks upset Perth Glory in yesterday’s National Soccer League grand final.
It was the second time in three seasons that the Glory were beaten at home in the grand final. Glory went into the game as the hottest of favourites, having topped the ladder by a record 13 points and lost only one game during the regular season — to the Sharks.
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IT was the battle of the richest men in Australian soccer, and it was Olympic’s quartet of Greek owners that were celebrating last night after the Sharks upset Perth Glory in yesterday’s National Soccer League grand final.
In front of 42,735 fans — the second-biggest NSL crowd yet — the Sharks upset the Glory 1-0 at Subiaco Oval.
A stinging left-foot strike by man of the match Ante Milicic in the 48th minute secured Olympic’s second championship, 12 years after its first.
It was the second time in three seasons that the Glory were beaten at home in the grand final. Glory went into the game as the hottest of favourites, having topped the ladder by a record 13 points and lost only one game during the regular season — to the Sharks.
Olympic’s owners are Greek multi-millionaire businessmen Nick Politis, Matthew Lepouris, Nick Balagiannis and George Drivas, who between them are estimated to be worth about $700million.
On the other side of the country it is Italian-born West Australian multi-millionaire Nick Tana who holds a controlling stake in Perth Glory.
Although Olympic’s owners are expected to sell the club to Leeds before next season, it did not stop them celebrating last night, and Sharks captain Clint Bolton said his side had an “open cheque” for the evening ahead.
Sharks coach Gary Phillips said he hoped the win could be the start of a dynasty for the club in the NSL.
At Hurlstone Park, members of the Sydney Olympic Social Club were dancing on tables as they celebrated the win.
Full report — Page 26
Illustration
Caption: Shark power: Sydney Olympic fans celebrate the win resulting from the goal by Ante Milicic, right; Photo: Photo