2006–07 Central Coast Mariners FC season

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.

Central Coast Mariners FC
2006–07 season
ManagerLawrie McKinna
A-League6th
A-League Pre-Season Challenge CupRunners-up
Top goalscorerLeague: Adam Kwasnik (7)
All: Adam Kwasnik (9)
Highest home attendance13,119 (vs Adelaide United, 25 November 2006)
Lowest home attendance4,644 (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

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Transfers

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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 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

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The 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 (2006-06-08) Gladesville Spirit 1–4 Central Coast Mariners Sydney
Ciano   42' Report Petrie   20'
Kwasnik   36', 44', 51'
28 June 2006 (2006-06-28) 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

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   AUS John Crawley
2 MF   EIR Wayne O'Sullivan
3 DF   AUS Paul O'Grady
4 MF   AUS Noel Spencer (captain)
5 MF   AUS Brad Porter
6 MF   GER André Gumprecht
7 MF   MLT John Hutchinson
8 MF   ENG Jamie McMaster
9 FW   AUS Nick Mrdja
10 MF   AUS Tom Pondeljak
11 MF   AUS Damien Brown
12 FW   SCO Stewart Petrie
13 DF   AUS Tony Vidmar
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 DF   AUS Vuko Tomasevic
15 DF   AUS Andrew Clark
16 DF   AUS Nigel Boogaard
17 MF   AUS Matthew Osman
18 DF   AUS Alex Wilkinson
19 FW   AUS Adam Kwasnik
20 GK   AUS Danny Vukovic
21 FW   AUS James Holland Short term deal 15/07/06-19/08/06
22 MF   AUS Oliver Bozanic Short term deal 22/07/06-19/08/06
23 MF   AUS Mile Jedinak Short term deals 12/08/06, 12/11/06-11/01/07
24 FW   AUS Matt Simon Short term deals 12/08/06, 05/05/07-21/01/07
25 FW   AUS Damian Mori Short term deal 06/10/06 - 19/11/06
30 GK   AUS Matthew Trott Short term deal

Coaching staff

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Pre-Season Cup

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Group stage

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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.[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

Finals

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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 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

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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
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
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
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
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

Table

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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
Source: ultimatealeague.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ Sydney FC were penalised three competition points following round 18 due to salary cap breaches which occurred during the 2005–06 season
  2. ^ New Zealand Knights cannot qualify for the AFC Champions League as they are not recognised as an AFC club.

Results summary

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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

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The 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

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
21 FW   AUS James Holland 0 0 (3) 0 (3) 0 1 0
22 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
25 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

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  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "A-League's Mariners sign Tomasevic". Sydney Morning Herald. 4 July 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Vidmar to resume playing with Mariners". ABC News. 4 August 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Trott added to Mariners roster for short term". 10 July 2006. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006.
  5. ^ "Local youth bound for Glory". 12 July 2006. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006.
  6. ^ "Promising youngster pens short-term deal". 20 July 2006. Archived from the original on 25 August 2006. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Jedinak to debut in Toowoomba". 5 August 2006. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006.
  8. ^ "Local youth added ahead of derby blockbuster". 10 August 2006. Archived from the original on 22 August 2006.
  9. ^ "Mori becomes a Mariner". ABC News. 27 September 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Boogaard, Hutchinson and Kwasnik pen new deals". 2 May 2006. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006.
  11. ^ "Sydney FC determined to shut out Mori". Sydney Morning Herald. 24 November 2006. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  12. ^ "Mariners, Sydney FC notch preseason wins". ABC Sport. 16 July 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2006.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "Mariners earn tough draw against reigning Premiers". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 22 July 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2006.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "Mariners book home semi-final after stalemate". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 6 August 2006. Retrieved 13 August 2006.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ 2005 Pre-Season Cup, 2005 World Club Qualification, 2005-06 A-League, 2006 Pre-Season Cup
  19. ^ "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.
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