It could prove to be the defining moment of Terry Antonis’ footballing career.
Melbourne Victory had their Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Grand Final ticket within their grasp in April’s Semi-Final clash against Sydney FC.
That was until Antonis inexplicably turned a cross from Sky Blues playmaker Adrian Mierzejewski into his own net in the 95th minute.
It was a state of affairs ripped straight from a horror story for the former Sky Blues midfielder, who admitted he was too emotionally drained to remember Kevin Muscat’s team talk that immediately followed before extra time.
“I was devastated. That was the first ever own goal I've scored in professional football,” he said.
“To be honest, I can't remember the team talk at all.
“I remember all the boys trying to pick me up but I was just emotionally gone.
“For two to three minutes I wasn't there.”
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What followed will likely go down as one of the most dramatic moments in the Hyundai A-League’s existence, and one that saw Antonis go from villain to hero.
Picking up the ball inside his own half in the 117th minute, the midfielder ran past two Sydney FC defenders before bolting toward goal, ultimately firing in a deflected winner that would see Victory go on to win the Semi Final and then claim the 2017/18 Championship.
“To be honest, as you could see, I made that space… I just saw the space open up and I was just like ‘I'll just keep running’.
“If Kosta [Barbarouses] didn't make that run or Chris [Theoharous] didn't bring those defenders across I wouldn't have space for myself.
“A lot of people, especially after, said to me there's not many people that can do that and for me to hear people says that means a lot.
“Obviously I was bawling my eyes out, even now you can hear it's still emotional for me. It's a crazy feeling.”
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