Clutch save ... Vukovic broke Sydney's hearts with his last-ditch save. Source: Tony McDonough / AAP
Perth Glory fans have a lot to thank Danny Vukovic for.
If he hadn't clawed Dario Vidosic's superb free-kick away with the last touch of Perth Glory's 1-1 draw with Adelaide United on Saturday night, Sydney FC would have progressed to the finals at his side's expense.
Simple as that. A clutch play from a player whose heroics in the final two rounds have gone a long way to seeing Perth seal a remarkable rise from the foot of the table to a finals spot.
"Bottom line was that Danny Vukovic's save kept Perth in the six," Mark Bosnich said when explaining his choice for the round 27 Save of the Week.
"Had that shot gone in, Sydney would've made the six.
"For the importance of the moment, I gave it (the vote) to Danny Vukovic."
It certainly caused a huge sigh of relief from Alistair Edwards, the architect of Perth's admirable revival.
"The last seven weeks have been a bit of a rollercoaster. It's just great to be in the finals," Edwards said.
"It was a bit nervy I must admit, when they get a free kick with a few seconds to go.
"But Danny Vukovic does what he does best and keeps the ball out of the net."
While Bosnich doesn't give the Glory as much of a chance as he gives Brisbane Roar of causing damage in the finals from spots No.5 and No.6, he says their revival has been a success in its own right.
"After the way they've come from last - I was one of those people who said they can't make the six. So congratulations for proving me wrong.
"I think this has been an achievment in itself, coming from last.
"They'll find it very difficult playing Melbourne Victory with Archie Thompson and Marco Rojas at home."
But with big-stage displays in recent weeks, inspired selections - like Dean Heffernan up front on Saturday night - and experience cashing in on late-season form after making last year's grand final, could Perth cause an upset in this sudden death finals format?
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