HARBOURSPORT |
A-LEAGUE |
A-League Scoreboard - GRAND FINAL |
FINALS RESULTS : Friday 25th January Sydney FC 0 Queensland Roar 0 Sunday 27th January Newcastle Jets 2 Central Coast Mariners 0 Friday 8th February Queensland Roar 2 Sydney FC 0 Sunday 10th February Central Coast Mariners 3 Newcastle Jets 0 (after extra time) Sunday 17th February Preliminary Final Newcastle Jets 3 Queensland Roar 2 (after extra time) Sunday 24th February Grand Final Central Coast Mariners 0 Newcastle Jets 1 Sydney Football Stadium |
The intense rivalry between Central Coast and Newcastle lifted to a new level when the two clubs clashed in the A-League grand final. In perfect conditions for football, a crowd of over 36,000 came to the Sydney Football Stadium and were treated to a match to remember. At each end of the field, the vocal support groups made a spectacle to remember. The Newcastle supporters, known as The Squadron, populated the southern end end; and with their giant banner pre-match and jumping during the match put on a show. Not to be outdone, the Marinators at the northern end were also in form, with banners, flags and streamers. It didn't take long for the passions to ignite on the pitch, with a mellee breaking out in just the second minute, and yellow cards to Joel Griffiths and Mile Jedinak for shots at each other within a minute of each other early. The first half never reached the pinnacle of football aesthetics, as both sides were struck by nerves on the big occasion and keeping the spectacle tight. The Jets had the better of possession, and although the Mariners had a few chances to score it was Newcastle who were creating the majority of the opportunities. But none were taken, and it was 0-0 at the break. The game opened up in the second half, with both sides looking to break the deadlock. And shortly after the hour it was Newcastle who got on the board. Former Socceroo Tony Vidmar, playing in his last match, turned the ball over to Mark Bridge, who took it inside the area before his shot beat the outstretched arms of Mariners' keeper Danny Vukovic into the net. Within a minute, John Aloisi had a chance to equalise, but his shot sailed frustratingly wide. The Mariners pulled the changes, bringing Andre Gumprecht and Tom Pondeljak on to create some attacking flair. This was a plan that looked likely to work, with the majority of the remainder of the game being played in Newcastle's half while the Mariners were creating corners and taking shots from the edge of the area; but the goal wasn't to come. |