For Melbourne Victory boss Kevin Muscat, Gui Finkler's last-minute goal to win the elimination final against Sydney FC was a vindication of his squad's self-belief and commitment, never better displayed than by its fighting spirit in its third game in six days.
For Frank Farina, the Sky Blues beleaguered coach, it was a nightmare way to end a match - and with it the season - that was looking increasingly like it could go his side's way.
With Victory's punishing program, extra time and penalties was the last thing the hosts wanted, especially as they had to leave for South Korea on Easter Sunday for next week's critical Asian Champions League game against Jeonbuk.
While Muscat could only pay tribute to the mental strength and physical condition of his squad, which he has expertly rotated through this gruelling schedule of some 15 games in eight weeks, with two trips to Asia included, Farina could only rue the vagaries of fate.
But the Sydney coach is steeped in the game and knows, as well as anyone, that the truest axiom of all is that if a side does not make the most of its opportunities, it is most likely to pay the heaviest price.
And, after a sluggish start when Victory looked set to run away with the game, that is what happened to the Sky Blues.
Sydney created numerous openings in the second half and was twice denied by the class of Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe, whose finger-tip save from Matthew Jurman's header just after the restart would surely be a contender for save of the year in most A-League seasons.
While Victory and Muscat now look to recalibrate themselves for the challenge of an Asian Champions League tie which, if they win, will guarantee them a place in the knockout stages for the first time ever, Farina was left to reflect on what might have been after a season in which, he pointed out with some irony, his side had finished only three points off second place.
''You have got to take your chances. We created enough. I thought we deserved better, but how many times do we see that in football? I could not see them scoring in the second half, but we all know, we have all seen it in the past, that you have got to take your chances.''
Muscat was simply delighted with the character his side showed and its determination to eke out a win.
''The dream's still alive. We have had to find a different way to win a game of football tonight and we did. When I saw the ball coming across into the penalty area I was pleased that it was Gui because I knew he would score,'' the Victory coach said with a broad grin.
While Muscat prepares his team for a massive week - it will travel to South Korea and then return to face either Western Sydney or premiers Brisbane for a place in the grand final - Farina will contemplate his future at a club where he has been the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism despite taking the Sky Blues so close to the semi-final.
