Showing posts with label Central Coast Mariners FC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Central Coast Mariners FC. Show all posts

Monday, March 12, 2012

13 March 2011 - Brisbane Sinks The Mariners

On 13 March 2011, the Brisbane Roar recovered from a two-goal deficit to claim the A-League title on penalties over the Central Coast Mariners.

The win capped a remarkable season for Brisbane, who had gone undefeated since September 12, finishing the regular season with a record of 18 wins, eleven draws, and only one loss. In their two matches against Central Coast, they scored eight goals, winning 1-5 and drawing 3-3.

When the teams met in the Grand Final, neither side managed to find the net for the first 90 minutes. That changed in the first period of extra time, as Mariners went up 2-0 with goals from forward Adam Kwasnik (96') and midfielder Oliver Bozanic (103'). But the Roar pulled one back in the second period, with substitute striker Henrique beating Mariners goalkeeper Matthew Ryan in the 117th minute. Then, in the final minute, midfielder Erik Paartalu scored the equalizer.

In the ensuing penalty shootout, Brisbane keeper Michael Theoklitos saved two of Central Coast's first four shots to keep his team up 3-2. Henrique then stepped up to take Brisbane's fourth kick and beat Ryan once more for the win, claiming their first league title.

Brisbane's unbeaten streak continued until November 2011, lasting a league record 36 matches.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

26 August 2005 - So Much For Home Advantage

On 26 August 2005, Australia's new football league - the A-League - kicked off with a pair of matches that involved half of the new league's membership.

The A-League was founded in 2004 to replace the National Soccer League, which folded that year after 28 seasons due to financial difficulties. Four teams - Perth Glory, New Zealand Knights, Newcastle Jets, and Adelaide United - made the move to the new A-League and were joined by new clubs Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, and Central Coast Mariners. The group of eight was rounded out by former NSL side Queensland Roar, who had been playing in the Queensland State League as the Brisbane Lions since 1988.

On that opening day, Perth Glory hosted the Mariners, winners of the league's preseason Challenge Cup, while Newcastle hosted Adelaide. In both matches, the visiting sides won by identical 0-1 scores. It was a sign of things to come as both teams would enjoy success in that first season: Adelaide finished at the top of the regular-season table, while Central Coast advanced to the Final of the playoffs, losing 1-0 to the A-League's first champions, Sydney FC.