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Body Science sponsored Mariners in to Grand Final after memorable win
By: Central Coast Mariners
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26-02-2006 |
Extracted from: Mariners Website.
The Central Coast Mariners will take on southern rivals Sydney FC in the very first Hyundai A-League Grand Final after a memorable 1-0 win over premiers Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium today.
An early goal from attacking ace Tom Pondeljak was all that separated the Mariners from their South Australian opponents, who despite enjoying significant possession and chances on goal late in the match, could not breach a desperate Mariners back line that was able to keep the home side scoreless for just the second time this season.
The Mariners have now claimed a unique Australian domestic football treble, having qualified for all finals on offer since the introduction of the Hyundai A-League.
Next Sunday’s showdown at Aussie Stadium completes the Mariners’ trifecta of trophy playoffs, having qualified for the final of May 2005’s Club World Championship qualifying series and the Hyundai A-League Pre-Season Cup last August.
The Mariners now head to the showpiece event of the Hyundai A-League on the back of a twelve match unbeaten streak and having conceded just one goal from their three finals series matches.
"I’m very proud of the boys, we defended smartly and we attacked swiftly, it was an all round performance that you would expect of a team that has qualified for the Grand Final," said Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna after the match.
"Adelaide are a fantastic side and they pushed us very hard for ninety minutes and getting a win like this away from home is the perfect preparation for next Sunday’s game."
The Mariners deserved nothing less than their famous victory, their first against Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League, from what was a keenly fought encounter between two of the more robust outfits in Australia’s top flight.
Mariners midfield duo Andre Gumprecht and Noel Spencer were dominating in the centre of the park, negating Adelaide pair Ross Aloisi and Angelo Costanzo, while in defence, Andrew Clark and Michael Beauchamp, the latter of which had endured a harrowing 18-hour flight from Bahrain two days previous, were at their irrepressible best.
However, it was striker Pondeljak, who, amazingly, is now destined to compete in his sixth consecutive domestic Grand Final - that earned most plaudits for a typically menacing display that was highlighted by his seventh minute opener.
The former Socceroo was on hand to poke home a low cross from Gumprecht that was scuffled by Reds defender Adam van Dommele.
Although incomparable in terms of class to his only other goal in the Hyundai A-League – a superb individual effort against Sydney FC in Round 18, Pondeljak’s timely goal was easily the most crucial of the Mariners’ season.
Following the goal, the Mariners had plenty more chances to double their lead before the break, particularly from corners where both defender Alex Wilkinson and Pondeljak came close.
Ultimately though, Pondeljak’s goal proved to be enough for the Mariners to progress, and they now look forward to next Sunday’s match up at Aussie Stadium, a venue where they have never lost.
Football Manager McKinna will also take heart from the Mariners disciplinary performance, after none of there four players walking the suspension tightrope – Beauchamp, Gumprecht, Dean Heffernan and Wilkinson, collected a further booking that would rule them out of Sunday’s decider.
"The fairytale continues!" said McKinna.
"We’re now in three finals from three attempts and we’ll give it our all to make sure we’ve got another trophy in the cabinet next Sunday."
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