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.
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
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 was the Mariners' first marquee signing.
- In
No. | Position | Player | Transferred from | Transfer type | Date | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 | DF | Free transfer | 4 July 2006 | [2] | ||
13 | DF | Unattached | Free transfer | 4 August 2006 | [3] | |
30 | GK | Injury replacement deal for John Crawley | 10 July 2006 | [4] | ||
FW | Short term contract | 12 July 2006 | [5] | |||
MF | Short term contract | 20 July 2006 | [6] | |||
MF | Short term contract | 5 August 2006 | [7] | |||
FW | Short term contract | 10 August 2006 | [8] | |||
FW | Injury replacement deal for Nik Mrdja | 27 September 2006 | [9] |
- Out
No. | Position | Player | Transferred to | Transfer type | Date | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 | MF | Unattached | Free transfer | 2 May 2006 | [10] | |
13 | FW | Unattached | Free transfer | 2 May 2006 | [10] | |
FW | Free transfer | 22 November 2006 | [11] |
Pre-season
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 | Gladesville Spirit | 1–4 | Central Coast Mariners | Sydney |
Ciano |
Report | Petrie Kwasnik |
17 June 2006 QNI North Queensland Trophy | Central Coast Mariners | 2–2 (4–2 p) | Melbourne Victory | |
Pondeljak Petrie |
Report | Allsopp Brebner |
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 |
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 Brown |
Stadium: Pluim Park Attendance: 1,900 |
Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Coaching staff
- Football Manager: Lawrie McKinna
- Head Coach: Ian Ferguson
- Development Manager: Alex Tobin
- Strength & Conditioning: Andrew Clark
Pre-Season Cup
((main|2006 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup}}
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.[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 semifinals |
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 Kwasnik |
Report | Bertos |
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 |
Report | Kwasnik O'Grady Spencer |
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
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 Semifinal | Central Coast Mariners | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Newcastle Jets | Gosford |
18:00 | Petrie O'Grady |
Report | Coveny |
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 |
Report | Veart |
Stadium: Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium Attendance: 10,463 Referee: Simon Przydacz |
Penalties | ||||
2006-07 Hyundai A-League fixtures
27 August 2006 | Sydney FC | 1 : 0 | Central Coast Mariners | Aussie Stadium, Sydney |
17:00 UTC+10 | Fyfe |
Attendance: 19,274 Referee: |
3 September 2006 | Perth Glory | 2 : 0 | Central Coast Mariners | Members Equity Stadium, Perth |
Young Colosimo |
Attendance: 7,229 Referee: |
9 September 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 0 : 0 | Queensland Roar | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
Attendance: 4,644 Referee: |
17 September 2006 | Melbourne Victory | 1 : 0 | Central Coast Mariners | Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne |
Thompson |
Attendance: 17,617 Referee: |
23 September 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 1 : 1 | Newcastle Jets | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
Hutchinson |
Griffiths Okon |
Attendance: 8,439 Referee: |
28 September 2006 | New Zealand Knights | 0 : 1 | Central Coast Mariners | North Harbour Stadium, Auckland |
Duruz Bunce |
Kwasnik |
Attendance: 1,632 Referee: |
6 October 2006 | Adelaide United | 3 : 1 | Central Coast Mariners | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide |
Burns Rees Veart |
Mori |
Attendance: 10,493 Referee: |
13 October 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 3 : 1 | Sydney FC | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
Mori O'Grady |
Carbone |
Attendance: 11,567 Referee: |
20 October 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 2 : 1 | Perth Glory | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
Pondeljak |
Despotovski |
Attendance: 8,496 Referee: |
28 October 2006 | Queensland Roar | 1 : 1 | Central Coast Mariners | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
Reinaldo |
Mori |
Attendance: 13,727 Referee: |
3 November 2006 | Melbourne Victory | 3 : 3 | Central Coast Mariners | Telstra Dome, Melbourne |
Allsopp Thompson Vargas Muscat |
McMaster Petrie Kwasnik |
Attendance: 28.118 Referee: |
11 November 2006 | Newcastle Jets | 3 : 1 | Central Coast Mariners | EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle |
Bridge Carle Rodriguez |
Mori |
Attendance: 14,026 Referee: |
19 November 2006 | New Zealand Knights | 0 : 2 | Central Coast Mariners | North Harbour Stadium, Auckland |
Mori Mrdja |
Attendance: 2,139 Referee: |
25 November 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 2 : 0 | Adelaide United | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
Kwasnik Petrie |
Attendance: 13,119 Referee: |
3 December 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 0 : 0 | Sydney FC | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
Attendance: 12,457 Referee: |
10 December 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 1 : 0 | Perth Glory | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
Kwasnik |
Attendance: 8,089 Referee: |
16 December 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 2 : 3 | Queensland Roar | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
Kwasnik |
Griffin Vidosic |
Attendance: 7,132 Referee: |
31 December 2006 | Central Coast Mariners | 1 : 2 | Melbourne Victory | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
Kwasnik |
Fred Thompson |
Attendance: 15404 Referee: |
5 January 2007 | Newcastle Jets | 1 : 0 | Central Coast Mariners | EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle |
Rodriguez |
Attendance: 14,828 Referee: |
11 January 2007 | Central Coast Mariners | 0 : 0 | New Zealand Knights | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
Attendance: 10,637 Referee: |
21 January 2007 | Central Coast Mariners | 1 : 3 | Adelaide United | Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford |
Pondeljak |
Burns |
Attendance: 8,128 Referee: |
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 | Finals Series and 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 | Finals Series |
4 | Sydney FC | 21 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 29 | 19 | +10 | 29[lower-alpha 1] | |
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[lower-alpha 2] | 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) Champion.
Notes:
Results summary
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:
Player statistics
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
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
No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | A-League | Pre-Season Cup | Total | Discipline | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||
1 | GK | John Crawley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2 | DF | Wayne O'Sullivan | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
3 | DF | Paul O'Grady | 13 (1) | 1 | 4 (1) | 2 | 17 (2) | 3 | 5 | 0 | |
4 | MF | Noel Spencer | 16 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 22 | 1 | 5 | 0 | |
5 | DF | Brad Porter | 3 (3) | 0 | (3) | 0 | 3 (6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
6 | MF | Andre Gumprecht | 11 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
7 | MF | John Hutchinson | 6 (10) | 1 | (1) | 0 | 6 (11) | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
8 | MF | Jamie McMaster | 19 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 9 | 0 | |
9 | FW | Nik Mrdja | 3 (3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 (3) | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
10 | MF | Tom Pondeljak | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
11 | DF | Damien Brown | 14 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
12 | FW | Stewart Petrie | 18 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 23 | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
13 | DF | Tony Vidmar | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
14 | DF | Vuko Tomasevic | 8 (3) | 0 | 6 | 0 | 14 (3) | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
15 | DF | Andrew Clark | 8 (3) | 0 | 5 | 0 | 13 (3) | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
16 | DF | Nigel Boogaard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
17 | MF | Matthew Osman | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
18 | DF | Alex Wilkinson | 21 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
19 | FW | Adam Kwasnik | 19 (2) | 7 | 6 | 2 | 25 (2) | 9 | 4 | 0 | |
20 | GK | Danny Vukovic | 20 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
FW | James Holland |
0 | 0 | (3) | 0 | (3) | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
MF | Oliver Bozanic |
0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
23 | MF | Mile Jedinak | 8 | 0 | (1) | 0 | 8 (1) | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
24 | FW | Matt Simon | (3) | 0 | (1) | 0 | (4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
FW | Damian Mori |
8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | ||
30 | GK | Matthew Trott | 1 | 0 | (1) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 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 24 August 2006.
- "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.
- "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. 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.
- "Mariners' title defence on track after win". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 29 July 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.
- "Mariners set up title defence after derby win". Football Federation Australia (Central Coast Mariners Website). 12 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.