2006–07 Central Coast Mariners FC season
The Central Coast Mariners' season 2006-07 was the second competitive season of football (soccer) club Central Coast Mariners FC. The club hoped to build on their strong performance in 2005-06, which included a Pre-Season Cup title, a finals appearance in the World Club Qualification playoff and their participation in the inaugural A-League grand final.
The club came close to defending their title in the Pre-season Cup, topping their group before losing on penalties in the final to Adelaide United. However, their 2006-07 A-League campaign was disappointing, winning just one of their first seven matches and struggling for consistency, finishing sixth on the table.
Preseason matches
Central Coast Mariners competed in the QNI North Queensland Trophy against A-League club Melbourne Victory, Chinese Super League team Changchun Yatai and the Young Socceroos finishing a respectable third.
Round | Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Crowd |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 17 June 2006 | Central Coast | (2) 2-2 (4) | Melbourne Victory PEN | Unknown |
2 | 20 June 2006 | Central Coast | 3-0 | Young Socceroos | Unknown |
3 | 22 June 2006 | Central Coast | 1-2 | Changchun Yatai | Unknown |
Playoff | 24 June 2006 | Central Coast | 2-1 | Young Socceroos | Unknown |
The Mariners also played one friendly match prior to the season commencing.
Round | Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Crowd |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 20 June 2006 | Central Coast | 2-0 | Central Coast Lightning | Unknown |
Transfers
On the back of the Mariners' highly successful first season, expectation arose as to the big-name players that could potentially join Central Coast. There were strong rumors about Stan Lazaridis, Ned Zelic and Paul Okon coming to the Mariners, but none eventuated. However, on 3 August 2006 Tony Vidmar announced he was joining the Mariners, signing a two-year deal.[1] Vidmar is the Mariners' first marquee signing.
In
Player | Details |
---|---|
Vuko Tomasevic | from Marconi Stallions |
Tony Vidmar | from NAC Breda |
Jamie McMaster | promoted to full first team status |
Brad Porter | promoted to full first team status |
Matthew Trott | signed on a short-term deal to cover for injuries |
James Holland | signed on a short-term deal to cover for injuries |
Oliver Bozanic | signed on a short-term deal to cover for injuries |
Mile Jedinak | signed on a short-term deal to cover for injuries |
Matt Simon | signed on a short-term deal to cover for injuries |
Damian Mori | signed on a short-term deal to cover for injuries |
Out
Player | Details |
---|---|
Dean Heffernan | on loan to 1. FC Nuremberg |
Michael Beauchamp | on loan to 1. FC Nuremberg |
Russell Woodruffe | released |
Leo Carle | released |
Ian Ferguson | short-term deal expired |
Dez Giraldi | short-term deal expired |
Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Coaching staff
- Football Manager: Lawrie McKinna
- Head Coach: Ian Ferguson
- Development Manager: Alex Tobin
- Strength & Conditioning: Andrew Clark
Pre-Season Cup
Summary
Round | Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Crowd |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 15 July 2006 | Central Coast | 2-1 | Perth Glory | 5,682 |
2 | 22 July 2006 | Central Coast | 0-0 | Adelaide United | 4,344 |
3 | 29 July 2006 | Melbourne Victory | 1-3 | Central Coast | 6,593 |
4 | 6 August 2006 | Queensland Roar | 0-0 | Central Coast | 4,571 |
Playoff | 12 August 2006 | Central Coast | 2-1 | Newcastle Jets | 7,567 |
Final | 19 August 2006 | Central Coast | (4) 1-1 (5) | Adelaide United (PEN) | 10,463 |
Group stage
The Mariners were put in Group A, along with Adelaide United (3rd in 2005-06 A-League season), Perth Glory (5th) and Melbourne Victory (7th). They had two home games in the three-game round-robin series, with one played at Wade Park, Orange, New South Wales, against Adelaide United, and the other at their traditional home, Central Coast Stadium.
Central Coast started their defence of the Pre-Season Cup well, defeating Perth Glory - the team they defeated in the 2005 Pre-Season Cup final - 2-1 at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford in front of 5,682 spectators. Both Central Coast strikers, Stewart Petrie and Adam Kwasnik, scored early goals.[2][3] They followed this up with a gritty nil-all draw at Wade Park against last year's minor premiers, Adelaide United. Coach McKinna said after the game he was, "quite contented with the result".[4] For their final Group A game, they travelled to Melbourne's Olympic Park, where they downed the Melbourne Victory 3-1, with Adam Kwasnik, Paul O'Grady and Noel Spencer all scoring for the Mariners.[5]
Central Coast played their "bonus" fourth group-crossover round against the Queensland Roar. The "bonus" round awarded "bonus points" based on goals scored (one point for two goals, two points for three goals and three points for four or more goals). On this occasion, the Mariners and Roar drew 0-0, and both earned the conventional one point for a draw.[6]
Table
Group A
Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Central Coast Mariners | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
Adelaide United | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Melbourne Victory | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
Perth Glory | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Group B
Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sydney FC | 12 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
Newcastle Jets | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
New Zealand Knights [7] | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Queensland Roar [7] | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Finals
Finishing on top of Group A, with Adelaide United relegated to second on goal differential, the Mariners took on the Newcastle Jets in a fiery local derby in the playoff stage. Newcastle took the lead in the 25th minute, before Stewart Petrie converted a penalty in the 53rd minute. The game progressed into extra time, and a 96th-minute header from Paul O'Grady gave the Mariners a chance to defend their Pre-Season title in what will be their fourth consecutive domestic final in as many competition entries.[8][9]
In the grand final, they lost to Adelaide United 5-4 on penalties, after the score was tied 1-1 after extra time. Carl Veart scored early for Adelaide before the Mariners levelled in the 77th minute through attacking midfielder Andre Gumprecht. In the penalty shootout, Stewart Petrie was the only player to miss on either side, hitting the crossbar.[10]
Table
Playoffs | Finals | |||||||
Grand final | ||||||||
A1 | Central Coast Mariners | 2 | Central Coast Mariners | 1 (4) | ||||
B2 | Newcastle Jets | 1 | Adelaide United (PEN) | 1 (5) | ||||
Third place playoff | ||||||||
A2 | Sydney FC | 1 | Sydney FC | 2 | ||||
B1 | Adelaide United | 2 | Newcastle Jets | 0 | ||||
Fifth place playoff | ||||||||
A3 | Melbourne Victory (PEN) | 0 (4) | Melbourne Victory | 1 | ||||
B4 | Queensland Roar | 0 (2) | Perth Glory | 0 | ||||
Seventh place playoff | ||||||||
A4 | New Zealand Knights | 0 | New Zealand Knights | 1 | ||||
B3 | Perth Glory | 1 | Queensland Roar | 2 |
2006-07 Hyundai A-League fixtures
27 August 2006 | Sydney FC | 1 : 0 | Central Coast Mariners | Aussie Stadium, Sydney |
---|---|---|---|---|
17:00 UTC+10 | Fyfe 52' | Attendance: 19,274 Referee: Mark Shield |
3 September 2006 | Perth Glory | 2 : 0 | Central Coast Mariners | Members Equity Stadium, Perth |
---|---|---|---|---|
Young 81' Colosimo 52' |
Attendance: 7,229 Referee: Craig Zetter |
9 September 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 0 : 0 | Queensland Roar | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
---|---|---|---|---|
Attendance: 4,644 Referee: Peter O'Leary |
17 September 2006 | Melbourne Victory | 1 : 0 | Central Coast Mariners | Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne |
---|---|---|---|---|
Thompson 51' | Attendance: 17,617 Referee: Angelo Nardi |
23 September 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 1 : 1 | Newcastle Jets | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hutchinson 12' | Griffiths 84', , 90' Okon 75' |
Attendance: 8,439 Referee: Simon Przydacz |
28 September 2006 | New Zealand Knights | 0 : 1 | Central Coast Mariners | North Harbour Stadium, Auckland |
---|---|---|---|---|
Duruz 87' Bunce 83' |
Kwasnik 85' (pen.) | Attendance: 1,632 Referee: Peter O'Leary |
6 October 2006 | Adelaide United | 3 : 1 | Central Coast Mariners | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide |
---|---|---|---|---|
Burns 90' Rees 58' Veart 25' |
Mori 38' | Attendance: 10,493 Referee: Ben Williams |
13 October 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 3 : 1 | Sydney FC | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mori 52', 90' O'Grady 40' |
Carbone 12' | Attendance: 11,567 Referee: Simon Przydacz |
20 October 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 2 : 1 | Perth Glory | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pondeljak 2', 87' | Despotovski 58' | Attendance: 8,496 Referee: Matthew Breeze |
28 October 2006 | Queensland Roar | 1 : 1 | Central Coast Mariners | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
---|---|---|---|---|
Reinaldo 49' | Mori 21' | Attendance: 13,727 Referee: Mark Shield |
3 November 2006 | Melbourne Victory | 3 : 3 | Central Coast Mariners | Telstra Dome, Melbourne |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allsopp 4', 68' Thompson 10' Vargas 21' Muscat 45' |
McMaster 6' Petrie 11' Kwasnik 23' (pen.) |
Attendance: 28.118 Referee: Peter Green |
11 November 2006 | Newcastle Jets | 3 : 1 | Central Coast Mariners | EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bridge 6' Carle 17' Rodriguez 79' |
Mori 40' | Attendance: 14,026 Referee: Matthew Breeze |
19 November 2006 | New Zealand Knights | 0 : 2 | Central Coast Mariners | North Harbour Stadium, Auckland |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mori 65' Mrdja 90+5' |
Attendance: 2,139 Referee: Peter Green |
25 November 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 2 : 0 | Adelaide United | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kwasnik 55' Petrie 59' |
Attendance: 13,119 Referee: Mark Shield |
3 December 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 0 : 0 | Sydney FC | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
---|---|---|---|---|
Attendance: 12,457 Referee: Matthew Breeze |
10 December 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 1 : 0 | Perth Glory | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kwasnik 12' | Attendance: 8,089 Referee: Peter O’Leary |
16 December 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 2 : 3 | Queensland Roar | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kwasnik 29' (pen.), 77' (pen.) | Griffin 40' Vidosic 63', 80' |
Attendance: 7,132 Referee: Matthew Breeze |
31 December 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 1 : 2 | Melbourne Victory | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kwasnik 52' | Fred 23' Thompson 26' |
Attendance: 15404 Referee: Mark Shield |
5 January 2007 | Newcastle Jets | 1 : 0 | Central Coast Mariners | EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rodriguez 25' | Attendance: 14,828 Referee: Mark Shield |
11 January 2007 | Central Coast Mariners | 0 : 0 | New Zealand Knights | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
---|---|---|---|---|
Attendance: 10,637 Referee: Ben Williams |
21 January 2007 | Central Coast Mariners | 1 : 3 | Adelaide United | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pondeljak 77' | Burns 10', 49', 66' | Attendance: 8,128 Referee: Simon Przydacz |
Table
Pos |
Team | Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Melbourne Victory (C) | 21 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 41 | 20 | +21 | 45 | 2008 AFC Champions League Group stage |
2 | Adelaide United | 21 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 32 | 27 | +5 | 33 | |
3 | Newcastle Jets | 21 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 32 | 30 | +2 | 30 | 2007 A-League Finals Series |
4 | Sydney FC | 21 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 29 | 19 | +10 | 291 | |
5 | Queensland Roar | 21 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 27 | −2 | 29 | |
6 | Central Coast Mariners | 21 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 22 | 26 | −4 | 24 | |
7 | Perth Glory | 21 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 24 | 30 | −6 | 20 | |
8 | New Zealand Knights | 21 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 13 | 39 | −26 | 19 | Disbanded at end of season and were replaced |
Updated to games played on 21 January 2007
Source: theworldgame.sbs.com.au
Rules for classification:
1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
1Sydney FC were penalised three competition points following round 18 due to salary cap breaches which occurred during the 2005–06 season.
2First place through to fourth place qualify for the 2007 A-League Finals Series.
3First place qualifies for the 2008 AFC Champions League Group stage.
4Winning the 2007 A-League Grand Final earns qualification for the 2008 AFC Champions League Group stage, unless the Grand Final winners are also first place, in which case the Grand Final runner up qualifies.
5New Zealand Knights cannot qualify for the 2008 AFC Champions League as they are not recognised as an AFC club.
Stats
Leading goalscorers Regular Season
Player | Goals |
---|---|
Adam Kwasnik | 7 |
Damian Mori | 6 |
Tom Pondeljak | 3 |
Stewart Petrie | 2 |
References
- ↑ "Socceroo legend signs on with the Central Coast". Central Coast Mariners official website. 4 August 2006. Archived from the original on 22 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-04.
- ↑ "Mariners, Sydney FC notch preseason wins". ABC Sport. 2006-07-16. Retrieved 2006-07-16.
- ↑ "Mariners impress with first up victory". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 2006-07-15. Retrieved 2006-07-16.
- ↑ "Mariners earn tough draw against reigning Premiers". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 2006-07-22. Retrieved 2006-07-12.
- ↑ "Mariners' title defence on track after win". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 2006-07-29. Retrieved 2006-08-13.
- ↑ "Mariners book home semi final after stalemate". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 2006-08-06. Retrieved 2006-08-13.
- 1 2 As the New Zealand Knights and Queensland Roar were tied on points, goal difference, goals for, goals against, and points earned in the "bonus round", the sixth degree of disambiguality, number of red cards received, was used. See official A-League press release for more details.
- ↑ "Mariners set up title defence after derby win". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 2006-08-12. Retrieved 2006-08-13.
- ↑ 2005 Pre-Season Cup, 2005 World Club Qualification, 2005-06 A-League, 2006 Pre-Season Cup
- ↑ "Adelaide takes title in shootout". Football Federation Australia (A-League Website). 2006-08-20. Retrieved 2006-08-29.