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
See also: 2005–06 Central Coast Mariners FC season

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 Australia Vuko Tomasevic AustraliaMarconi Stallions Free transfer 4 July 2006 [2]
13 DF Australia Tony Vidmar Unattached Free transfer 4 August 2006 [3]
30 GK Australia Matthew Trott Australia Central Coast Lightning Injury replacement deal for John Crawley 10 July 2006 [4]
FW Australia James Holland Australia NSWIS Short term contract 12 July 2006 [5]
MF Australia Oliver Bozanic Australia NSWIS Short term contract 20 July 2006 [6]
MF Australia Mile Jedinak Australia Sydney United Short term contract 5 August 2006 [7]
FW Australia Matt Simon Australia Central Coast Lightning Short term contract 10 August 2006 [8]
FW Australia Damian Mori Australia Adelaide City Injury replacement deal for Nik Mrdja 27 September 2006 [9]
Out
No. Position Player Transferred to Transfer type Date Ref
14 MF Australia Leo Carle Unattached Free transfer 2 May 2006 [10]
13 FW Australia Russell Woodruffe Unattached Free transfer 2 May 2006 [10]
FW Australia Damian Mori Australia Brisbane Roar 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 (2006-06-08) Gladesville Spirit 1–4 Central Coast Mariners Sydney
Ciano 42' Report Petrie 20'
Kwasnik 36', 44', 51'
17 June 2006 (2006-06-17) 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 soccer ball with check mark
Claudinho
Byrnes soccer ball with check mark
Allsopp soccer ball with red X
Brebner soccer ball with check mark
20 June 2006 (2006-06-20) QNI North Queensland Trophy Australia U20 0–3
 Central Coast Mariners Townsville
Report Porter
McMaster
O'Grady 		Stadium: Townsville Sports Reserve
22 June 2006 (2006-06-22) QNI North Queensland Trophy Central Coast Mariners 1–2 Changchun Yatai
Kwasnik 87' Report
24 June 2006 (2006-06-24) QNI North Queensland Trophy Australia U20 1–2 Central Coast Mariners
Report
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

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

Coaching staff

Pre-Season Cup
Main article: 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 8422052Advance to semi-finals
Adelaide United 8422020
Melbourne Victory 6411257
Perth Glory 3403123
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

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
27 August 2006 Sydney FC 1 : 0 Central Coast Mariners Aussie Stadium, Sydney
17:00 UTC+10 Fyfe 52' Attendance: 19,274
Referee: Australia Mark Shield
3 September 2006 Perth Glory 2 : 0 Central Coast Mariners Members Equity Stadium, Perth
Young 81'
Colosimo 52'		 Attendance: 7,229
Referee: Australia Craig Zetter
9 September 2006 Central Coast Mariners 0 : 0 Queensland Roar Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Attendance: 4,644
Referee: New Zealand Peter O'Leary
17 September 2006 Melbourne Victory 1 : 0 Central Coast Mariners Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
Thompson 51' Attendance: 17,617
Referee: Australia Angelo Nardi
23 September 2006 Central Coast Mariners 1 : 1 Newcastle Jets Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Hutchinson 12' Griffiths 84', Yellow card Yellow-red card 90'
Okon Red card 75'		 Attendance: 8,439
Referee: Australia Simon Przydacz
28 September 2006 New Zealand Knights 0 : 1 Central Coast Mariners North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Duruz Red card 87'
Bunce Red card 83'		 Kwasnik 85' (pen.) Attendance: 1,632
Referee: New Zealand 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: Australia 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: Australia Simon Przydacz
20 October 2006 Central Coast Mariners 2 : 1 Perth Glory Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Pondeljak 2', 87' Despotovski 58' Attendance: 8,496
Referee: Australia Matthew Breeze
28 October 2006 Queensland Roar 1 : 1 Central Coast Mariners Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Reinaldo 49' Mori 21' Attendance: 13,727
Referee: Australia Mark Shield
3 November 2006 Melbourne Victory 3 : 3 Central Coast Mariners Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Allsopp 4', 68'
Thompson 10'
Vargas Red card 21'
Muscat Red card 45'		 McMaster 6'
Petrie 11'
Kwasnik 23' (pen.)		 Attendance: 28.118
Referee: Australia 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: Australia 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: Australia Peter Green
25 November 2006 Central Coast Mariners 2 : 0 Adelaide United Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Kwasnik 55'
Petrie 59'		 Attendance: 13,119
Referee: Australia Mark Shield
3 December 2006 Central Coast Mariners 0 : 0 Sydney FC Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Attendance: 12,457
Referee: Australia Matthew Breeze
10 December 2006 Central Coast Mariners 1 : 0 Perth Glory Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Kwasnik 12' Attendance: 8,089
Referee: New Zealand 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: Australia Matthew Breeze
31 December 2006 Central Coast Mariners 1 : 2 Melbourne Victory Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Kwasnik 52' Fred 23'
Thompson 26'		 Attendance: 15404
Referee: Australia Mark Shield
5 January 2007 Newcastle Jets 1 : 0 Central Coast Mariners EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Rodriguez 25' Attendance: 14,828
Referee: Australia Mark Shield
11 January 2007 Central Coast Mariners 0 : 0 New Zealand Knights Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Attendance: 10,637
Referee: Australia 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: Australia Simon Przydacz

Table

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[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
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
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
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

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 A yellow rectangular card A red rectangular card
1 GK  AUS John Crawley 00000000
2 DF  IRE Wayne O'Sullivan 1402016010
3 DF  AUS Paul O'Grady 13 (1)14 (1)217 (2)350
4 MF  AUS Noel Spencer 1606122150
5 DF  AUS Brad Porter 3 (3)0(3)03 (6)000
6 MF  GER Andre Gumprecht 1106117120
7 MF  AUS John Hutchinson 6 (10)1(1)06 (11)120
8 MF  AUS Jamie McMaster 1915024190
9 FW  AUS Nik Mrdja 3 (3)1003 (3)110
10 MF  AUS Tom Pondeljak 1630016300
11 DF  AUS Damien Brown 1406020010
12 FW  SCO Stewart Petrie 1825223440
13 DF  AUS Tony Vidmar 1502017040
14 DF  AUS Vuko Tomasevic 8 (3)06014 (3)010
15 DF  AUS Andrew Clark 8 (3)05013 (3)030
16 DF  AUS Nigel Boogaard 00000000
17 MF  AUS Matthew Osman 1302015040
18 DF  AUS Alex Wilkinson 2106027020
19 FW  AUS Adam Kwasnik 19 (2)76225 (2)940
20 GK  AUS Danny Vukovic 2006026010
21 FW  AUS James Holland † 00(3)0(3)010
22 MF  AUS Oliver Bozanic † 001 (1)01 (1)000
23 MF  AUS Mile Jedinak 80(1)08 (1)021
24 FW  AUS Matt Simon (3)0(1)0(4)000
25 FW  AUS Damian Mori † 86008610
30 GK  AUS Matthew Trott 10(1)01 (1)000

References
  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. "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.
  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.
  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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