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New Zealand Defender Bunge Wins W-League Final

Football Ferns defender Claudia Bunge is relieved her missed chance did not cost her side victory in the W-League Final on Sunday.

Team-mate Kyra Cooney-Cross scored direct from a corner in the final minute of extra-time as Melbourne Victory defeated Sydney FC 1-0 to win their first championship in seven years.

“I’ve played in a couple of finals before but probably not as dramatic as that,” Bunge said.

“We had a lot of corners and I had a feeling we were going to score, but we definitely took our time and waited until the very last minute.

“It was just relief, I wasn’t too keen on taking a penalty, but it was a great feeling.

“I saw the ball cross the line but if you watch it back I kicked it in just to make sure in case the lineo didn’t call it. But that was some ball from Kyra.”

Bunge had a chance to win the game for her side in normal time but could not get her toe to the ball when it fell to her on the goal line.

“The Sydney keeper got a little touch to it and I hadn’t quite set myself up for it and it literally just flew past me. I could’ve just chucked anything on it,” said the centre-back.

“I was obviously pretty annoyed when I missed it. The girls just said we’ve got to focus on the next one, but I was thinking in my head I hope that wasn’t the chance and luckily Kyra got her cross in.”

The win completed a triumphant first season for Bunge who signed her first professional contract with Victory after joining from New Zealand outfit Northern Lights last year.

Bunge played every minute of Victory’s 14-game season, helping her side to keep eight clean sheets, while also netting twice from set pieces.

/Stewart
Sports news editor