The A-League Thread

[Grimmace]

As many of you know soccer season is starting soon im a mariners supporter my self anyways discuss al the latest all league action here

[Titanium_BD1103]

Grimmace ur too early LMAO.. I was going to wait till after Socceroos vs Kuwait to start this thread...

Ok for those who are interested.. over the next week, now that Grimmace has made me do it by starting this thread... I will be doing a preview similar to the one in the F1 Thread.

It will go through each of the teams and their losses and gains, their previous years standings as well as where I think they will finish in 2006/2007 season.

There has been a lot of movements, so stay tuned... should be a great A-League season for all..

[Titanium_BD1103]

Ok so here we go... I am about to start the preview thread for the A-League Season 2006... They are going to be done in 2 teams to each post...

Starting with...

ADELAIDE UNITED

Location: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide.

Coach: John Kosmina

Major Sponsor: Sakai

Last Season Finished: 1st in regular season, 4th overall.

Gains: Bobby Petta (Bradford City, England), Greg Owens (Sydney United, NSW), Dez Giraldi (Empoli, Italy - loan), Nathan Burns (AIS), Jason Spagnuolo (Metro Stars, SA), Bruce Djite (AIS)

Losses: Louis Brain (released), Chad Bugeja (released), Michael Matricciani (released), Tony Hatzis (released)


Team:

Goalkeepers- Daniel Beltrame and Robert Bajic

Right Fullback- Richie Alagich and Robert Cornthwaite

Central Defenders- Kristian Rees and Michael Valkanis

Left Fullback- Aaron Goulding & Adam van Dommele

Right Midfielder- Travis Dodd

Central Midfielder- Angelo Costanzo

Left Midfielder- Lucas Pantelis and Mathew Kemp

Attacking Midfielders- Ross Aloisi, Fernando Rech, Greg Owens & Jason Spagnuolo

Left Wing- Bobby Petta

Strikers- Bruce Djite, Carl Veart, Dez Giraldi, Qu Shengqing & Nathan Burns


TJ's Analysis:

Adelaide United are a very well balanced side with two very strong defenders in Rees and Valkanis and with Aloisi and Rech in the midfield get nice quick ball up the field through short sharp passes. The Strikers however is where they are most impressive, with Veart and Qu providing plenty of power and some real ability as well.

The added bonus for Adelaide is they have experience through players like Dodd who is currently in camp with the Socceroos and Veart and captain Aloisi, the older brother of current Socceroo John. They have added Petta from Bradford who is a decent and very capable player and Burns who was a star for the AIS in recent seasons.

The key for Adelaide is discipline, Veart is known for being a hard man, sometimes too hard at times though last season. Very much a case of the guiding hand is needed by Kosmina to ensure Veart remains the striker on the ball and not off it, do that and keep the team fit, and its a very even odds chance.


Prediction: 3rd




CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

Location: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford.

Coach: Lawrie McKinna

Sponsor: N/A

Last Season Finished: 3rd in regular season, Runners-Up overall.

Gains: Tony Vidmar (NAC Breda, Holland), Bradley Porter (from Short-term contract), Vuko Tomasevic (Marconi Stallions, NSW), Jamie McMaster (from Short-term contract), James Holland (NSWIS), Matthew Trott (Central Coast Lightening), Oliver Bozanic (NSWIS), Michael Jedinak

Losses: Michael Beauchamp (Nurnberg, Germany), Dean Heffernan (Nurnberg, Germany), Other Losses - Russell Woodruffe (released), Leo Carle (released during 05/06 season)


Team:

Goalkeepers- John Crawley, Danny Vukovic & Matthew Trott

Right Fullback- Andrew Clark

Central Defenders- Paul O'Grady, Tony Vidmar, Nigel Boogaard & Alex Wilkinson

Left Fullback- Vuko Tomasevic

Right Midfielder- Wayne O'Sullivan

Central Midfielder- Noel Spencer, Bradley Porter, Andre Gumprecht
Matthew Osman & Mile Jedinak

Left Midfielder- Damien Brown

Attacking Midfielders- John Hutchinson, Jamie McMaster, Tom Pondeljak & Oliver Bozanic

Strikers- Nick Mrdja, Stewart Petrie, Adam Kwasnik, James Holland & Matt Simon


TJ's Analysis:

The Mariners are a side that began last season as the misfits of the comp, they were headquarter based in a small office in Gosford with one room and not much besides a bunch of youngsters, a sprinkling of experience, one fine coach and a lot of belief.

Turn the pages to a season later, and we have a club that not only has a new headquarters which are larger and more reasonable, but also a side that has the community on its side and some very decent players, as well as some very useful experience.

They may have lost defender Michael Beauchamp to Europe, but they have been able to make a huge aquistion by picking up Socceroo Tony Vidmar who will add much experience to a side that is basically the same as last season, with a few added touches. The likes of Vukovic, Wilkinson, Pondeljak, Kwasnik and Hutchinson were stars last season for the Mariners, and they have Petrie as well who is dynamic up front to provide some sharp attack.

The huge plus for the Mariners is the return of a fully fit Nick Mrdja to a side already brimming with confidence and he adds that attacking spark needed to get over the line, with a killer boot and heading ability to add.

Don't forget their coach, who is not only talented, but very experienced and will ensure the boys from Gosford enjoy their games,but are also ready no matter who they face.


Prediction: 2nd

[Titanium_BD1103]

MELBOURNE VICTORY

Location: Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne

Coach: Ernie Merrick

Sponsor: Samsung Electronics

Last Season Finished: 7th in Regular Season

Gains: Helbert Da Silva (Fred) (Tupi, Brazil), Claudio Assis (Claudinho) (Atletico Paranaense, Brazil), Alessandro Da Silva (Alessandro)* (Internacional RS, Brazil), Grant Brebner (Dundee United, Scotland), Adrian Caceres (Perth Glory), Rodrigo Vargas (Green Gully, VIC)

Losses: Richard Kitzbichler (Salzburg, Austria), Andy Vlahos (released), Carl Recchia (released), Chris Tadrosse (transferred to KFC Uerdingen, Germany in 05/06 season), Ricky Diaco (released)


Team:

Goalkeepers- Michael Theoklitos & Eugene Galekovic

Right Fullback- Daniel Piorkowski & Steve Pantelidis

Central Defenders- Mark Byrnes, Geoffrey Claeys, Rodrigo Vargas & Adrian Leijer

Left Fullback- Simon Storey & Alessandro

Right Midfielder- Vince Lia

Central Midfielder- Kevin Muscat & Grant Brebner

Left Midfielder- Adrian Caceres

Attacking Midfielders- Michael Ferrante & Kristian Sarkies

Strikers- Fred, Daniel Allsopp, Archie Thompson & Claudinho


TJ's Analysis:

What can we say about the Victory, they were the disappointment along with Perth last season, so much promise and yet so little result. It must be said however that they were flying along quite nicely until their key striker in Archie Thompson left to join PSV Edinhoven.

This season, its a different side, but there is more depth as Merrick looks to ensure there is not a repeat of last season. Thompson is back and that adds stability to the side already, not to mention the super dooper work effort of Muscat and Storey, along with the magnificant play of upcoming superstar Sarkies.

It's the Brazillian flavour though that has everyone talking about the Victory in 2006/2007. Merrick has decided to give some strength to a light on depth side by including three brazillians in the squad. Alessendro is a very decent back who can defend hard and will offer some staunt opposition to other attacking players, whilst the addition of Claudinho and Fred (no it's not the one from the WC) has given them more attacking power to add to Thompson's already dynamite strikes.

The question for the Victory is whether the Brazillians will fire, if they do, this could be a super team on their way to a super season....


Prediction: 5th




NEW ZEALAND KNIGHTS

Location: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

Coach: TBA

Sponsor: Just Marketing and Charlton Athletic FC England.

Last Season Finished: 8th in Regular Season

Gains: Richard Johnson (Newcastle Jets), Jonathan Richter (Queensland Roar), Michael Turnbull (Kingston City, VIC), Scot Gemmill (Oxford United, England), Gregory Duruz (FC Thun, Switzerland), Dani Rodrigues (AFC Bournemouth, England), Mark Paston (St. Johnstone, Scotland), Che Bunce (Auckland City, NZ), Malik Buari (Woking, England), Jonas Salley (South Melbourne, VIC), Sime Kovacevic (Sunshine George Cross, VIC), Adam Casey (Wollongong Wolves, NSW), Michael White (Canterbury Utd, NZ)

Losses: Zenon Caravella (end of contract), Jeremy Brockie (Sydney FC), Jeremy Christie (Perth Glory), Ronnie Bull (released during 05/06 season), John Tambouras (released), Danny Hay (released during 05/06 season), Steve Fitzsimmons (released), Ben Collett (AGOVV, Netherlands), Simon Yeo (released during 05/06 season), Cole Tinkler (Manawatu, NZ), Josh Maguire (released), Josh Rose (released), Xiaobin Zhang (released), Naoki Imaya (released), Glen Moss (Dinamo Bucharest, Romania)


Team:

Goalkeepers- Danny Milosevic, Michael Turnbull & Mark Paston

Right Fullback- Darren Bazeley

Central Defenders- Che Bunce, Matt Carbon, Frank van Eijs & Sime Kovacevic

Left Fullback- Gregory Duruz

Right Midfielder- Malik Buari

Central Midfielder- Neil Emblen, Richard Johnson, Scot Gemmill & Jonas Salley

Left Midfielder- Michael White

Right Wing- Noah Hickey

Attacking Midfielders- Jonti Richter

Strikers- Dani Rodrigues, Sean Devine & Adam Casey


TJ's Analysis:

NZ Knights were last years team of second runners. They had little experience in the side and were continually getting flogged or if they did come to play, were losing in close matches.

This season, I think the ledger will be a lot closer, and NZ can be a dark horse or at least a nuisance to some of the more fancier sides. They have a decent backline with the addition of Carbon to help Bunce who is more than capable of causing problems for attackers, as he proved in a game against Sydney FC last season. Their captain Bazeley is a former English League player who knows how to play the game and given some support, which he should get this season, will be more than useful in leading the team around the park.

White, Hickey, Richter and Devine the NZ national will make for a more than reasonable attacking group who could get in the face of sides and make life more than a tad difficult. The quatro is clever, can pass quickly and has a renowned ability to break open defense to create opportunties.

The big question is how will they go without their former striker now Sydney FC boy Jeremy Brockie. Brockie did most of the scoring last season for the Knights and to lose him is a big loss which may take some getting over. I don't see NZ being in the final, but for sheer annoyance value, they will be harder to beat than last year.

Prediction: 8th

To be continued....

[Titanium_BD1103]

NEWCASTLE JETS

Location: Energy Australia Stadium, Newcastle

Coach: Nick Theodorakopoulos

Sponsor: Parklea Markets

Last Season Finished: 4th in the Regular Season, 3rd Overall

Gains: Vaughan Coveny (South Melbourne, VIC), Paul Okon (Apoel, Cyprus), Joel Griffiths (Leeds United, England), Milton Rodriguez (Chonbuk Hyundai Motors, Korea Republic), Tony Faria (Marconi Stallions, NSW), Tarek Elrich (from Short-Term contract), Adam D?Apuzzo (Marconi Stallions, NSW), Tolgay Ozbey* (Blacktown City, NSW), Ben Kennedy (Broadmeadow Magic, NNSW), Shane Webb (NSW), Stephen Old (USA)

Losses: Ante Milicic (Queensland Roar), Liam Reddy (Queensland Roar), Richard Johnson (New Zealand Knights), Allan Picken (Walsall, England), Ned Zelic (released from contract by mutual consent), Guy Bates ( released during the 05/06 season), Paul Kohler (released), Mateo Corbo (released), Franco Parisi (released), Brett Studman (released), Andy Petterson (released)


Team:

Goalkeepers- Ben Kennedy

Right Fullback- Steve Eagleton, Jade North

Central Defenders- Paul Okon, Labinot Haliti

Left Fullback- Andrew Durante

Right Midfielder- Matt Thompson

Central Midfielder- Adam D'Apuzzo, Stuart Musialik

Left Midfielder- Tony Faria, Tarek Elrich

Attacking Midfielders- Nick Carle, Jobe Wheelhouse

Strikers- Vaughan Coveny, Tolgay Ozbey, Joel Griffiths, Mark Bridge


TJ's Analysis:

Well what can we say about Newcastle. They were a disappointment last season under coach Richard Money, but he is gone and well renowned former NSL Championship coach Nick Theodorakopoulos has stepped in to provide much needed stablity and management to the side.

It's a very good side as well, with the likes of up and coming stars in Ozbey, Griffiths and especially Nicky Carle, who will be a talking point of the A-League throughout the season for his attacking flair, added to by great players such as Coveny and Okon with the added bonus of super talent Jade North. Newcastle could be the real dark horses of the A-League.


Prediction: 4th



PERTH GLORY

Location: Members Equity Stadium, Perth

Coach: Ron Smith

Sponsor: Western QBE Insurance

Last Season Finished: 5th in Regular Season

Gains: Stan Lazaridis (Birmingham City, England), Leo Bertos (Worksop Town, England), Ryan Townsend (from short-term contract), Mark Robertson (Stockport County, England), Adrian Webster (Darlington, England), Josip Magdic (Floreat Athena, WA), Jeremy Christie (New Zealand Knights), Aleks Vrteski (AIS), Mimi Saric (Adelaide Rangers, SA), Luka Glavas (Sydney United, NSW), Andrew Crews

Losses: Nick Ward (QPR, England), Scott Miller (retired), Billy Celeski (released), Brian Deane (released during the 05/06 season), Henry Fa?Arodo (released), Matthew Horsley (retired during the 05/06 season), Hiroyuki Ishida (released), Milan Jovanic (released), Stephen McMahon Jnr (released), Daniel Vasilevski (released during the 05/06 season), Danny Hay (released)


Team:

Goalkeepers- Jason Petkovic, Aleks Vrteski

Right Fullback- Jamie Coyne

Central Defenders- Ryan Townsend, David Tarka, Jamie Harnwell, Ante Kovacevic

Left Fullback- Stan Lazaridis

Right Midfielder- Leo Bertos, Adrian Webster

Central Midfielder- Simon Colosimo, Jeremy Christie, David Micevski, Mark Robertson

Left Midfielder- Naum Sekulovski

Attacking Midfielders- Josip Magdic

Strikers- Mimi Saric, Luka Glavas, Bobby Despotovski, Stuart Young

TJ's Analysis:

The once great powerhouse of the NSL was last season made to look very second rate and in the end it saw the sacking of their coach under turblulant circumstances and a less than impressive season.

Fast forward one season and there is plenty to like about the Perth Glory. For starters you have Lazardis back in Australia with the club, Colosimo will be once again a key to their season, and the goal scoring genius of Bobby Despotovski.

The issue for the team is that besides these 4, its a largely inexperienced side with quite a few youngster who will take a while to find their feet in the big games, and therefore this could prove to be their downfall. A solid team for the season, they will impress and be a thorn in the side of many teams, but I just can't see them winning yet.


Prediction: 6th

To be continued...

[Titanium_BD1103]

Continued....

QLD ROAR

Location: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Coach: Miron Bleiberg

Sponsor: Luxury Paints

Last Season Finished: 6th in Regular Season

Gains: Liam Reddy (Newcastle Jets), Marcus Wedau (VfL Osnabruck, Germany), Andrew Packer (Sydney FC), Ante Milicic (Newcastle Jets), Simon Lynch (Dundee, Scotland), Yuning Zhang (Shanghai Shenhua, China), Sasa Ognenovski (Fawkner/Whittlesea Blues, VIC), Stuart McLaren (from Short-term contract), Dario Vidosic (Queensland Lions, QLD), Steve Fitzsimmons

Losses: Alex Brosque (Sydney FC), Jonathan Richter (New Zealand Knights), Scott Higgins (Falkirk, Scotland), Todd Gava (released), Michael Baird (Uni Craiova, Romania), Royce Brownlie (released), Jordan Simpson (released during the 05/06 season), Tyler Simpson ( released), Reece Tollenaere (released), Warren Moon (released), David Williams (Brondby, Denmark), Karl Dodd (Uni Craiova, Romania during 05/06 season)


Team:

Goalkeepers- Tom Willis & Liam Reddy

Right Fullback- Spase Dilevski

Central Defenders- Chad Gibson, Josh McCloughan, Stuart McLaren, Ben Griffin & Sasa Ognenovski

Left Fullback- Remo Buess

Right Midfielder- Andrew Packer & Massimo Murdocca

Central Midfielder- Marcus Wedau & Hyuk-Su Seo

Left Midfielder- Matt McKay

Attacking Midfielders- Dario Vidosic

Strikers- Simon Lynch, Ante Milicic, Reinaldo da Costa & Yuning Zhang


TJ's Analysis:

QLD Roar are a very decent side on paper, with players such as Milicic, da Costa, McKay, Wedau and Packer capable of doing anything on their given day. The QLD side also boast Zhang, who according to those in Asia, is the David Beckham of the Asian Leagues, and with those players, the sky is the limit.

There is a real issue though with their attack outside Milicic and Zhang, with their defensive team one of the best in the league, yet also one of the newest, with a few players getting their wraps from junior divisions. It will all be about combinations with the side and whether they can gel, do that and they can be a geniune finals contender.


Prediction: 7th


SYDNEY FC

Location: Aussie Stadium, Sydney

Coach: Terry Butcher

Sponsor: Healthe

Last Season Finished: 2nd in Regular Season, A-League Champions

Gains: Jeremy Brockie (New Zealand Knights), Alex Brosque (Queensland Roar), Ruben Zadkovich (from Short-term contract), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Manly Warringah, NSW)

Losses: Andrew Packer (Queensland Roar), Matthew Bingley (released), Steve Laurie (released during 05/06 season), Alejandro Salazar (released during 05/06 season)


Team:

Goalkeepers- Clint Bolton & Justin Pasfield

Right Fullback- Mark Milligan

Central Defenders- Iain Fyfe, Mark Rudan, Jacob Timpano & Wade Oostendorp

Left Fullback- Alvin Ceccoli

Right Midfielder- Robbie Middleby & David Carney

Central Midfielder- U*** Talay, Steve Corica & Terry McFlynn

Left Midfielder- Ruben Zadkovich

Attacking Midfielders- Jeremy Brockie & Alex Brosque

Strikers- David Zdrilic, Sasho Petrovski & Dwight Yorke


TJ's Analysis:

Sydney FC were the team to beat last season, and whilst perhaps not having it all their own way and being placed into 2nd in the regular season, they in the end showed their class and won the championship.

This season, well to no one surprise, the side really hasn't changed too much, but has one added bonus, and that is supreme speed to go with the already very strong defensive structure and attacking prowess. Sydney already last season were known for their depth in the side, their defensive brilliance through Rudan and Timpano, the Midfield danger of Carney and Corica and the attacking force of Petrovski and Yorke along with Zdrillic.

Now there is the added speed of their two new recruits, goalscoring New Zealander Jeremy Brockie and superstar future Socceroo Alex Brosque from Queensland. Both will add genuine pace to the side that lacked it at times last season and will make an already super strong side, even more potent and dangerous.

The question mark on Sydney FC is whether their other addition, new coach Terry Butcher can pull the side together like Pierre did last season and will the new style of play suit them? So far its so good, and if it can continue to make it work, they have to be League favourites for another season, even with the additions many of the sides have made to their teams.


Prediction: 1st

[Grimmace]

Pitty we cant have a sub forum for soccer instead of having just one thread anyways is it BDT311 is it possible to do a moving thread like in rugy league?

[Titanium_BD1103]

I have no idea, you will have to ask the mods...

[Grimmace]

sorry not a moving thread sigining thread so every one knows where every one is sigining for next season and beyond

[Titanium_BD1103]

sorry not a moving thread sigining thread so every one knows where every one is sigining for next season and beyond

You can create one, then we can have it for season movements for 2007/2008... but at the moment don't worry, I will be adding the current ones to the preview pieces after I finish doing the previews... the A-League has nicely got them all on one page...

[Titanium_BD1103]

YAY Sydney FC has got a Sleeve sponsor, GO STAR CITY...

From: www.sydneyfc.com

Star City ups the ante with Sydney FC sponsorship
Thursday, 17 August, 2006 - 10:19AM

Star City, Sydney?s premier hotel, gaming and entertainment venue, has stepped up its support of reigning Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney FC by becoming a Principal Sponsor for the 2006/07 season.

Star City?s increased commitment includes sleeve sponsorship of Sydney FC and has come about after a successful partnership last season.

Star City will be featured on the sleeve for the opening match in the Hyundai A-League, which kicks off on August 27 when Sydney FC meets the Central Coast Mariners at Aussie Stadium.

The announcement is a sign of the ground football has made as Star City entered the football sponsorship market last season and has increased its commitment after witnessing first hand the success of the inaugural Hyundai A-League.

?This is an extremely exciting time for Sydney FC, in fact for football in Australia, and this deal represents the interest in the game across the board,? said Sydney FC CEO Tim Parker.

?We are particularly happy with this partnership as Star City was one of the businesses that joined with us last year and after seeing the benefits they have chosen to increase their level of sponsorship for the 2006/07 season. The inaugural Hyundai A-League and then the World Cup showed the level of interest in the game amongst the Australian public and we are also encountering a similarly enthusiastic level of interest in corporate circles.

?Star City has taken the sleeve sponsorship and we are currently also talking to businesses in four different sponsorship categories for the back of shirt. It is an exciting time.?

Star City Managing Director Jim L'Estrange said he was delighted to take up the Sydney FC sleeve sponsorship.

?Star City linked with Sydney FC last year and the results have been outstanding,? he said. ?Sydney FC went on to win the Championship and Star City became the team's home away from home for thousands of fans.

?The benefits continued throughout the World Cup when we had capacity crowds at Star City, which was undoubtedly due to our partnership with Sydney FC.

?We believe that the Hyundai A-League is going to be even bigger this season and Star City wants to be part of the growth of the game in this country. There is no better way of doing that than stepping up our partnership with Sydney FC which, we believe, will go on to win a second Championship in 2006/07.?

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

I watched a little of the soccer last year,looking forward to the new season. now the thing you will find about me is i support every queensland team in sport except rugby league.

SO go QLD ROAR.

[SuperCliffy#01]

Well i intend to see at least a couple of games, i am going to see the Bling versus my team CC Mariners when they play at Gosford, i need to get Dwight Yorke to sign my Aston Villa shirt, sweet.cya.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Adelaide United are the 2006/2007 A-League Pre-Season Cup Champions after beating the Central Coast Mariners 5-4 on Penalties in a 1-1 scoreline.

From: www.foxsports.com.au

Adelaide survive penalty shootout
August 19, 2006

ADELAIDE United secured its second piece of A-League silverware defeating Central Coast Mariners 5-4 on penalties in the pre-season cup final at Gosford tonight.

It was sweet revenge for Adelaide after the Mariners had knocked United out of last season's regular finals series.

Adelaide, who won the league last season, produced a disciplined performance against an energetic Mariners side with scores locked 1-all after 90 minutes.

A further half hour of extra time could not produce a goal and the match was sent into a shootout.

Jamie McMaster, Wayne O'Sullivan, Noel Spencer and John Hutchinson converted spot-kicks for the Central Coast, but Stewart Petrie's shot hit the bar and went over.

Richie Alagich, Greg Owens, Ross Aloisi, Shengqing Qu and Veart netted in the shoot-out for Adelaide to give the visitors victory.

Adelaide started the final well when striker Carl Veart scored with a superb overhead kick in the 7th minute.

United carried that lead for the majority of the match but with more than 10,000 spectators willing their side home Central Coast midfielder Andrew Gumprecht levelled the scores after 77 minutes.

Veart's opening goal was the result of superb lead-up work by Australia man of the moment Travis Dodd.

Adelaide winger Dodd, who scored on debut for the Socceroos in their mid-week victory over Kuwait, created more magic with his first meaningful touch of the game when gained possession on the right wing, checked inside and floated a left-foot cross that Veart acrobatically fired into the net with a bicycle kick.

Dodd and Veart combined again to good effect two minutes later but the veteran striker's header veered just wide.

Adelaide coach John Kosmina gave Dodd an early shower, substituting him at half-time for Adam Van Dommele.

The winger played a tough 90 minutes against Kuwait on Wednesday night and Kosmina took no chances with his star player at such an early stage of the season.

The Mariners threatened with several attacking forays seeking an equaliser, before crowd favourite Gumprecht delivered.

Gumprecht darted into the box through a hesitant opposition defence and unleashed a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner of the net.

Socceroo Tony Vidmar made his first start for the Mariners in central defence.

The composed and classy 36-year-old played for 74 minutes before being replaced by McMaster.

Mariners attacker Hutchinson returned after seven months out injured, coming on as a substitute in extra time.

AAP

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 1 (A Gumprecht 77)
ADELAIDE UNITED 1 (C Veart 7)
Referee: S Przydacz
Crowd: 10,463 at Central Coast Stadium.
(Adelaide won 5-4 on penalties after extra-time)

For the Record in other games: From: www.a-league.com.au

New Zealand Knights 1 (Bazeley 65)
Queensland Roar 2 (Reinaldo 49, Vidosic 54)
At North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

Melbourne Victory 1 (Allsopp 84)
Perth Glory 0
Crowd: 2215 @ Olympic Park, Melbourne

Sydney FC 2
Newcastle United 0
At Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney


Which leaves the Pre-Season Ladder looking like this...

1. Adelaide United
2. Central Coast Mariners
3. Sydney FC
4. Newcastle United
5. Melbourne Victory
6. Perth Glory
7. Queensland Roar
8. New Zealand Knights

[Titanium_BD1103]

From: www.foxsports.com.au

A-League open for business
By Philip Henderson
August 21, 2006

FOOTBALL Federation chief executive John O'Neill underlined the importance of the A-League in the rise of football in Australia today, labelling the competition the sport's "shopfront".

O'Neill was joined by FFA chairman Frank Lowy to officially open the second season of the competition in Sydney today.

Captains and coaches from all eight clubs were also present for the launch of the season - dubbed A-League Version 2.

O'Neill said it was imperative the A-League continued football's rise in Australia after the success of the Socceroos at the World Cup, adding the sport could only get "bigger and better".

"We've always had large participation numbers ... but what we've missed at the top end is entertainment," he said.

"The Socceroos have provided that entertainment in spades, and now the shopfront of football, the A-League, is open for business.

"Season two is on us.

"We are sitting here on the verge of something very, very special.

"It can only get better ... not just by saying it, but by hard work.

"The foundations set are so world class, it would be very hard to mess it up. And one thing we won't do is not take this opportunity to achieve bigger and better things.

"The A-League is incredibly important to us in continuing to build that mainstream space (in Australian sport) we are now in.

"It is our shopfront."

Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United kick off the competition at Olympic Park on Friday.

Queensland Roar hosts Perth Glory on Saturday before the New Zealand Knights play Newcastle in Auckland, and reigning champion Sydney FC face Central Coast at Aussie Stadium in a re-match of last year's grand final on Sunday.

AAP

Good luck to all in the A-League this season, I am really excited about it and what it can do as football has such a strong following now, lets hope the A-League gets crowds and is very entertaining...