2017 is shaping as the best year in the history of the proud Melbourne outfit Heidelberg United Football Club.
WATCH: See all the goals here
Having already won the league and cup double in Victoria, Heidelberg have moved into the quarter-finals of the Westfield FFA Cup with a thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Sydney United.
“We've been building every year and we've just got the right squad now,” goalscorer Sean Ellis told Fox Sports after the game.
“It's been an amazing journey so far and we've done so well in the league as well.
“We just feel amazing going into every game and we know we can win,” he said.
SEAN’S SWEET STRIKE
With the scores locked at 0-0, Ellis looked to have won the game for his side in extra-time with a sweetly-hit volley after 111 minutes.
“To be honest I had a couple of chances during the game I should have buried,” he said.
“But it came across the box and I just went for it.”
CHRIS IS HEIDELBERG’S HERO
But Sydney United came roaring back and found an equaliser through substitute Adrian Vranic with time almost up, sending the tie into a penalty shoot-out.
Heidelberg goalkeeper Christophe Theodoridis then wrote himself into club folklore, saving Yianni Fragogianni's spot-kick to send his side through to the last eight.
“It's a great feeling,” the delighted custodian told Fox Sports.
“We had to dig deep in extra-time.
“It was unfortunate that we conceded a goal.
“We had a similar opportunity when we played Bentleigh in the Docherty Cup final and it's worked for us again,” he said.
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER FOR TRAVELLING FANS
Three busloads of Heidelberg United fans made the journey to the Sydney United Sports Centre to cheer on their side and Theodoridis paid tribute to the supporters afterwards.
“Our motto is that we're the family club and it certainly shows today,” he said.
“It's been an outstanding year.
“Coming into tonight's game, we knew what we could prove to ourselves and that's what we did.”
