The 2006–07 season was the second season of competitive football played by Central Coast Mariners. The club ended the 2006–07 A-League in sixth, and so did not qualify for the finals. They failed to retain their A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup title, losing to Adelaide United in the final.
| 2006–07 season | |
|---|---|
| Manager | Lawrie McKinna |
| A-League | 6th |
| A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup | Runners-up |
| Top goalscorer | League: Adam Kwasnik (7) All: Adam Kwasnik (9) |
| Highest home attendance | 13,119 (vs Adelaide United, 25 November 2006) |
| Lowest home attendance | 4,644 (vs Queensland Roar, 9 September 2006) |
In the transfer window, Central Coast signed Australian international Tony Vidmar and defender Vuko Tomasevic. The short term contracts of Brad Porter and Jamie McMaster were also extended.
The Mariners began the season in good form and reached the final of the 2006 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup. However, they failed to retain the title after losing in a penalty shoot-out to Adelaide United. The team were winless for the first five games of the A-League season, before a resurgent period featuring only two losses, to Adelaide Newcastle Jets in eleven games. However, the team failed to win any of its final five games and missed the finals series by five points as a result. Central Coast's top goalscorer was Adam Kwasnik, who scored nine goals.
Background
editTransfers
editOn 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 rumours 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 was the Mariners' first marquee signing.
- In
| No. | Position | Player | Transferred from | Transfer type | Date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | DF |  Vuko Tomasevic
|
Marconi Stallions
|
Free transfer | 4 July 2006 | [2] |
| 13 | DF | Tony Vidmar
|
Unattached | Free transfer | 4 August 2006 | [3] |
| 30 | GK | Matthew Trott
|
Central Coast Lightning
|
Injury replacement deal for John Crawley | 10 July 2006 | [4] |
| FW | James Holland
|
NSWIS
|
Short term contract | 12 July 2006 | [5] | |
| MF | Oliver Bozanic
|
NSWIS
|
Short term contract | 20 July 2006 | [6] | |
| MF | Mile Jedinak
|
Sydney United
|
Short term contract | 5 August 2006 | [7] | |
| FW | Matt Simon
|
Central Coast Lightning
|
Short term contract | 10 August 2006 | [8] | |
| FW | Damian Mori
|
Adelaide City
|
Injury replacement deal for Nik Mrdja | 27 September 2006 | [9] |
- Out
| No. | Position | Player | Transferred to | Transfer type | Date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | MF | Leo Carle
|
Unattached | Free transfer | 2 May 2006 | [10] |
| 13 | FW | Russell Woodruffe
|
Unattached | Free transfer | 2 May 2006 | [10] |
| FW | Damian Mori
|
Brisbane Roar
|
Free transfer | 22 November 2006 | [11] |
Pre-season
editThe 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.
The Mariners also played two friendly matches prior to the season commencing.
| 8 June 2006 | Gladesville Spirit | 1–4 | Central Coast Mariners | Sydney |
Ciano  42' |
Report | Petrie 20' Kwasnik 36', 44', 51' |
| 17 June 2006 QNI North Queensland Trophy | Central Coast Mariners | 2–2 (4–2 p) | Melbourne Victory | |
| Pondeljak 40' Petrie 52' |
Report | Allsopp 65' Brebner 90' |
Attendance: 3,000 | |
| Penalties | ||||
Fred  Claudinho Byrnes Allsopp  Brebner |
||||
| 20 June 2006 QNI North Queensland Trophy | Australia U20 | 0–3 | Central Coast Mariners | Townsville |
| Report | Porter McMaster O'Grady |
Stadium: Townsville Sports Reserve |
| 22 June 2006 QNI North Queensland Trophy | Central Coast Mariners | 1–2 | Changchun Yatai | |
| Kwasnik 87' |
Report |
| 24 June 2006 QNI North Queensland Trophy | Australia U20 | 1–2 | Central Coast Mariners | |
| Report |
| 28 June 2006 Central Coast Football Charity Plate | Central Coast Lightning | 0–2 | Central Coast Mariners | Lisarow |
| 19:00 | Report | Kwasnik 30' Brown 57' |
Stadium: Pluim Park Attendance: 1,900 |
Squad
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Coaching staff
edit- Football Manager: Lawrie McKinna
- Head Coach: Ian Ferguson
- Development Manager: Alex Tobin
- Strength & Conditioning: Andrew Clark
Pre-Season Cup
editGroup stage
editThe 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.[12][13] 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".[14] 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.[15]
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.[16]
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Coast Mariners | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | Advance to semi-finals |
| 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 |
| 15 July 2006 1 | Central Coast Mariners | 2–1 | Perth Glory | Gosford |
| 18:00 | Petrie 7' Kwasnik 8' |
Report | Bertos 62' |
Stadium: Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium Attendance: 5,682 Referee: James Lewis |
| 22 July 2006 2 | Central Coast Mariners | 0–0 | Adelaide United | Orange |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: Wade Park Attendance: 4,344 Referee: Simon Przydacz |
| 29 July 2006 3 | Melbourne Victory | 1–3 | Central Coast Mariners | Melbourne |
| 15:00 | Thompson 3' |
Report | Kwasnik 36' O'Grady 63'Spencer 76' |
Stadium: Olympic Park Stadium Attendance: 6,593 Referee: Craig Zetter |
| 6 August 2006 Bonus | Brisbane Roar | 0–0 | Central Coast Mariners | Toowoomba |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: Clive Berghofer Stadium Attendance: 4,571 Referee: Peter Green |
Finals
editFinishing 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 was their fourth consecutive domestic final in as many competition entries.[17][18]
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.[19]
| 12 August 2006 Semi-final | Central Coast Mariners | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Newcastle Jets | Gosford |
| 18:00 | Petrie 53' (pen.) O'Grady 96' |
Report | Coveny 25' |
Stadium: Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium Attendance: 7,567 Referee: Ben Williams |
| 19 August 2006 Final | Central Coast Mariners | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–5 p) | Adelaide United | Gosford |
| 18:00 | Gumprecht 77' |
Report | Veart 7' |
Stadium: Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium Attendance: 10,463 Referee: Simon Przydacz |
| Penalties | ||||
2006-07 Hyundai A-League fixtures
edit| 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
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne Victory (C) | 21 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 41 | 20 | +21 | 45 | Qualification for 2008 AFC Champions League group stage and Finals series |
| 2 | Adelaide United | 21 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 32 | 27 | +5 | 33 | |
| 3 | Newcastle Jets | 21 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 32 | 30 | +2 | 30 | Qualification for Finals series |
| 4 | Sydney FC | 21 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 29 | 19 | +10 | 29[a] | |
| 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[b] | 21 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 13 | 39 | −26 | 19 | Disbanded at end of season |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:
- ^ Sydney FC were penalised three competition points following round 18 due to salary cap breaches which occurred during the 2005–06 season
- ^ New Zealand Knights cannot qualify for the AFC Champions League as they are not recognised as an AFC club.
Results summary
edit| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 21 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 22 | 26 | −4 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 11 | +2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 15 | −6 |
Source: [citation needed]
Player statistics
editThe Mariners used a total of 23 players during the 2006–07 season and there were nine different goalscorers. There were also two squad members who did not make a first-team appearance in the campaign. Alex Wilkinson and Adam Kwasnik both featured in all 27 competitive matches the side played in the campaign.
The team scored a total of 30 goals in all competitions. The highest scorere was Kwasnik, with nine goals, followed by Damian Mori who scored six goals. Mile Jedinak was the only player sent off in the season.
- Key
|
No. = Squad number Pos = Playing position Nat. = Nationality Apps = Appearances |
GK = Goalkeeper DF = Defender MF = Midfielder FW = Forward |
|
Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute. Players with number struck through and marked † left the club during the playing season.
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | A-League | Pre-Season Cup | Total | Discipline | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | 
|
| ||||
| 1 | GK | AUS
|
John Crawley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF |  IRE
|
Wayne O'Sullivan | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | AUS
|
Paul O'Grady | 13 (1) | 1 | 4 (1) | 2 | 17 (2) | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | AUS
|
Noel Spencer | 16 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 22 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | AUS
|
Brad Porter | 3 (3) | 0 | (3) | 0 | 3 (6) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | MF |  GER
|
Andre Gumprecht | 11 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | AUS
|
John Hutchinson | 6 (10) | 1 | (1) | 0 | 6 (11) | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | AUS
|
Jamie McMaster | 19 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | AUS
|
Nik Mrdja | 3 (3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 (3) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | AUS
|
Tom Pondeljak | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | DF | AUS
|
Damien Brown | 14 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 12 | FW |  SCO
|
Stewart Petrie | 18 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 23 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 13 | DF | AUS
|
Tony Vidmar | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | AUS
|
Vuko Tomasevic | 8 (3) | 0 | 6 | 0 | 14 (3) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | DF | AUS
|
Andrew Clark | 8 (3) | 0 | 5 | 0 | 13 (3) | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | AUS
|
Nigel Boogaard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | AUS
|
Matthew Osman | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 18 | DF | AUS
|
Alex Wilkinson | 21 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 19 | FW | AUS
|
Adam Kwasnik | 19 (2) | 7 | 6 | 2 | 25 (2) | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| 20 | GK | AUS
|
Danny Vukovic | 20 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| FW | AUS
|
James Holland † | 0 | 0 | (3) | 0 | (3) | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| MF | AUS
|
Oliver Bozanic † | 0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 23 | MF | AUS
|
Mile Jedinak | 8 | 0 | (1) | 0 | 8 (1) | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 24 | FW | AUS
|
Matt Simon | (3) | 0 | (1) | 0 | (4) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | AUS
|
Damian Mori † | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | |
| 30 | GK | AUS
|
Matthew Trott | 1 | 0 | (1) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
References
edit- ^ "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 4 August 2006.
- ^ "A-League's Mariners sign Tomasevic". Sydney Morning Herald. 4 July 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ "Vidmar to resume playing with Mariners". ABC News. 4 August 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ "Trott added to Mariners roster for short term". 10 July 2006. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006.
- ^ "Local youth bound for Glory". 12 July 2006. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006.
- ^ "Promising youngster pens short-term deal". 20 July 2006. Archived from the original on 25 August 2006. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "Jedinak to debut in Toowoomba". 5 August 2006. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006.
- ^ "Local youth added ahead of derby blockbuster". 10 August 2006. Archived from the original on 22 August 2006.
- ^ "Mori becomes a Mariner". ABC News. 27 September 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Boogaard, Hutchinson and Kwasnik pen new deals". 2 May 2006. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006.
- ^ "Sydney FC determined to shut out Mori". Sydney Morning Herald. 24 November 2006. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Mariners, Sydney FC notch preseason wins". ABC Sport. 16 July 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2006.
- ^ "Mariners impress with first up victory". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 15 July 2006. Archived from the original on 22 August 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2006.
- ^ "Mariners earn tough draw against reigning Premiers". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 22 July 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2006.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Mariners' title defence on track after win". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 29 July 2006. Archived from the original on 22 August 2006. Retrieved 13 August 2006.
- ^ "Mariners book home semi-final after stalemate". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 6 August 2006. Retrieved 13 August 2006.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Mariners set up title defence after derby win". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 12 August 2006. Archived from the original on 19 August 2006. Retrieved 13 August 2006.
- ^ 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). 20 August 2006. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006. Retrieved 29 August 2006.