CENTRAL Coast Mariners have won the Premiership after leading the A-League for most of the season.
The Mariners’ 34 competition points and +5 goal difference secured the Central Coast first place after coming into the final round with only goal difference separating them from their three confirmed Finals Series rivals.
By virtue of claiming the Premiers Plate, the Mariners have officially qualified for the 2009 edition of the AFC Champions League.
The Mariners will be formally awarded the Premiers Plate at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday, February 10, just before they line up to face northern rivals the Newcastle Jets in their Major Semi Final – 2nd Leg encounter.
"Tonight, I am truly proud and humbled at the achievements of our club," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"To win the Hyundai A-League Premiership is an enormous honour for our coaching and playing staff, our members and supporters, our investors, sponsors and partners, our Board and everyone who has contributed to our incredible journey since day one.
"I am sure that many will collectively be celebrating this achievement this evening and for some time to come while still focussing on the job ahead throughout the remainder of the Finals Series.
"Naturally there is still the matter of the A-League Championship to look forward to, but I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank our Football Manager Lawrie McKinna, his support staff and our playing group for delivering something exceptionally special to our club and to our region."
But it took a suicidal performance by Queensland Roar to guarantee the Central Coast the Premiership.
Danny Tiatto blew his top - and blew his side's top place - with a wild outburst that saw him sent off against Adelaide in the first half for an apparent punch on Travis Dodd.
Even as he was being sent from the field he lashed out wildly again and looks set to miss the rest of the finals season with a lengthy ban.
Roar started the game badly, turning up with the wrong strip for the match against Adelaide.
They took to the field in their maroon and orange home strip, clashing badly with Adelaide's famous red kit.
It didn't get any better for them with goals from Bruce Djite and Lucas Pantelis sealing Queensland's fall from grace at the top of the league down to fourth.
Roar have no time to dwell on this setback and must now lick their wounds and focus their minds on their quest to reach the Grand Final, which begins this Friday night with a semi-final first leg tie against Sydney FC in the harbour city.
Roar never really got going in this crucial match and despite some early promise from a string of superbly delivered corners by Michael Zullo and Matt McKay, none of Roar’s tall timber was able to capitalise.
It was no surprise when the home side took the lead in the 18th minute. Griffin McMaster failed to hold a swirling right-wing cross and Bruce Djite pounced on the loose ball, tapping unopposed into the empty net.
The match had threatened to boil over on a number of occasions and just before the break Roar were reduced to ten men when Danny Tiatto was issued his straight red card after the clash with Adelaide’s Travis Dodd.
It went from bad to worse for Roar on the stroke of half-time when Lucas Pantelis doubled the home side’s lead with a crisp finish from just inside the box and summed up a forgettable 45 minutes for Frank Farina’s men.
Two-nil down and with only ten men on the park, it was a mountain of Himalayan proportions for Roar to climb. With nothing to lose, Farina introduced Brazilian midfielder Marcinho for Minniecon and reverted to a three-man defence at the start of the second period.
Despite battling bravely, the visitors couldn’t manage much in the way of opportunities and relied on some quality saves from Griffin McMaster to keep the score at 2-0.
“We didn’t play well and once Danny went off it was almost over for us,” said boss Farina.
“It was probably our worst opening 45 minutes of the season and we were disappointing. The simple fact is we have to pick ourselves up and start preparing for Friday night. We have a chance to put this right and we have to take it.”
The Mariners are in the driving seat for the finals, with a grand final at Sydney Football Stadium guaranteed.
Central Coast topped the league after all 21 regular home and away rounds, with Newcastle Jets second and Sydney third.
Sydney play Roar on Friday night at Sydney Football Stadium despite Sydney coach John Kosmina's desire to play the first leg away.
On Sunday Newcastle Jets will meet Central Coast Mariners at EnergyAustralia Stadium, with the final legs of the semifinals played out on February 8 and 10,just days after the Socceroos' game against Qatar.
By virtue of claiming the Premiers Plate, the Mariners have officially qualified for the 2009 edition of the AFC Champions League.
The Mariners will be formally awarded the Premiers Plate at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday, February 10, just before they line up to face northern rivals the Newcastle Jets in their Major Semi Final – 2nd Leg encounter.
"Tonight, I am truly proud and humbled at the achievements of our club," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"To win the Hyundai A-League Premiership is an enormous honour for our coaching and playing staff, our members and supporters, our investors, sponsors and partners, our Board and everyone who has contributed to our incredible journey since day one.
"I am sure that many will collectively be celebrating this achievement this evening and for some time to come while still focussing on the job ahead throughout the remainder of the Finals Series.
"Naturally there is still the matter of the A-League Championship to look forward to, but I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank our Football Manager Lawrie McKinna, his support staff and our playing group for delivering something exceptionally special to our club and to our region."
But it took a suicidal performance by Queensland Roar to guarantee the Central Coast the Premiership.
Danny Tiatto blew his top - and blew his side's top place - with a wild outburst that saw him sent off against Adelaide in the first half for an apparent punch on Travis Dodd.
Even as he was being sent from the field he lashed out wildly again and looks set to miss the rest of the finals season with a lengthy ban.
Roar started the game badly, turning up with the wrong strip for the match against Adelaide.
They took to the field in their maroon and orange home strip, clashing badly with Adelaide's famous red kit.
It didn't get any better for them with goals from Bruce Djite and Lucas Pantelis sealing Queensland's fall from grace at the top of the league down to fourth.
Roar have no time to dwell on this setback and must now lick their wounds and focus their minds on their quest to reach the Grand Final, which begins this Friday night with a semi-final first leg tie against Sydney FC in the harbour city.
Roar never really got going in this crucial match and despite some early promise from a string of superbly delivered corners by Michael Zullo and Matt McKay, none of Roar’s tall timber was able to capitalise.
It was no surprise when the home side took the lead in the 18th minute. Griffin McMaster failed to hold a swirling right-wing cross and Bruce Djite pounced on the loose ball, tapping unopposed into the empty net.
The match had threatened to boil over on a number of occasions and just before the break Roar were reduced to ten men when Danny Tiatto was issued his straight red card after the clash with Adelaide’s Travis Dodd.
It went from bad to worse for Roar on the stroke of half-time when Lucas Pantelis doubled the home side’s lead with a crisp finish from just inside the box and summed up a forgettable 45 minutes for Frank Farina’s men.
Two-nil down and with only ten men on the park, it was a mountain of Himalayan proportions for Roar to climb. With nothing to lose, Farina introduced Brazilian midfielder Marcinho for Minniecon and reverted to a three-man defence at the start of the second period.
Despite battling bravely, the visitors couldn’t manage much in the way of opportunities and relied on some quality saves from Griffin McMaster to keep the score at 2-0.
“We didn’t play well and once Danny went off it was almost over for us,” said boss Farina.
“It was probably our worst opening 45 minutes of the season and we were disappointing. The simple fact is we have to pick ourselves up and start preparing for Friday night. We have a chance to put this right and we have to take it.”
The Mariners are in the driving seat for the finals, with a grand final at Sydney Football Stadium guaranteed.
Central Coast topped the league after all 21 regular home and away rounds, with Newcastle Jets second and Sydney third.
Sydney play Roar on Friday night at Sydney Football Stadium despite Sydney coach John Kosmina's desire to play the first leg away.
On Sunday Newcastle Jets will meet Central Coast Mariners at EnergyAustralia Stadium, with the final legs of the semifinals played out on February 8 and 10,just days after the Socceroos' game against Qatar.
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