A-League 07/08 Finals

[Wedgie]

Half time of the first semi (first leg) in Sydney and its nil all. Queensland with more shots at goal but Sydney with more corners, probably only one shot at goal for Sydney though.
Queensland certainly aren't playing for a draw.
As per usual A-League game, lots of shocking decision making and no tactical build up whatsoever but that's the norm and appeals to the fans.
Reminds me of when there used to be Adelaide City/West Adelaide double headers in the early 90s.
City were always the best team and more often than not got the win with their great tactics and decision making under Zoran Matic but I used to really enjoy watching West Adelaide in the early game as it was the opposite (and similar to A-League) in that it was just a full on attacking game and a nice contrast, not a game for the soccer purists but entertaining none the less especially with Stan Laziridis streaking down the wing with some great crosses.

[Wedgie]

Ended up nil all, slight advantage to Qld going into the 2nd leg at Suncorp but they would have preferred a 1 all or 2 all result with away goals counting double. With only 1 goal between these teams in 4 games I'd be backing a nil all draw on sportsbet.com.au!

[Wedgie]

Hate to reply to myself but one thing is definate, and that's the Grand Final will be played in Sydney.
I'd imagine if Sydney somehow got there it might be at Homebush otherwise at SFS.

[Dirko]

Hate to reply to myself but one thing is definate, and that's the Grand Final will be played in Sydney.
I'd imagine if Sydney somehow got there it might be at Homebush otherwise at SFS.

Correct. The FFA have already come out and said that. They need a minimum capacity of 40 k...

[RoosterMarty]

Hate to reply to myself but one thing is definate, and that's the Grand Final will be played in Sydney.
I'd imagine if Sydney somehow got there it might be at Homebush otherwise at SFS.

Which gives me another reason to go for the Roar in this semi final!

[Dirko]

Central Coast v Newcastle Jets.

I hope the Coasters get up as they have been the best team all year.
I can see Newcastle knocking them off though. Should be a big crowd...

Does anyone know the crowd of the Bling game ? Looked a fair way away from
a sellout...

I just hope Queensland knock Sydney out next week too !!

[Dirko]

Newcastle 2 - CCM 0.

Uphill battle for the CCM now. Need to win by three next week and not allow the Jets to put one in...

[Wedgie]

Crikey, glad I forgot the game was on!

Bling game got 23,450, Newcastle got 22,960. Best week 1 of the finals crowds so far.

Here's previous years finals crowds if you want to compare:

Season One

Semi-finals - Leg 1
February 10 Newcastle Jets 0-1 Central Coast Stadium 10236
February 12 Adelaide United 2-2 Sydney FC 15104
Semi-finals - Leg 2
February 17 Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Newcastle Jets 17429
February 19 Sydney FC 2-1 Adelaide United 30377
Preliminary final
February 26 Adelaide United 0-1 Central Coast Mariners 11405
Grand final
March 5 Sydney FC 1-0 Central Coast Mariners 41689

Season one finals crowd totals 126,240

Season Two

Semi-finals - Leg 1
January 26 Sydney FC 2-1 Newcastle Jets 21,122
January 28 Adelaide United 0-0 Melbourne Victory 15,575
Semi-finals - Leg 2
February 2 Newcastle Jets 2-0 Sydney FC 24,338
February 4 Melbourne Victory 2-1 Adelaide United 47,413
Preliminary final
February 11 Adelaide United 1-1 (4-3 pen) Newcastle Jets 13,798
Grand final
February 18 Melbourne Victory 6-0 Adelaide United 55,436

Season two finals crowd totals 177,682

[Dirko]

The second legs for the finals are NEXT weekend (8 Feb) due to the Socceroos commitments with the World Cup qualifier against Qatar.

Weird for the players to have a week off between finals, and would be interesting to see how it affects teams especially Newcastle as they have the highest representation of the 4 doing Socceroos camps etc...

[Wedgie]

Ive heard the Newcastle team mate has got an injury possibly a broken leg from his own Newcastle team mate in the camp!
Might be hope for the Mariners yet!

[Dirko]

Ive heard the Newcastle team mate has got an injury possibly a broken leg from his own Newcastle team mate in the camp!
Might be hope for the Mariners yet!

Ante Covic received a cork thigh after James Holland slid into him at practise. Apparently a huge crack sound went up and everyone though Covic had busted his leg...

[RoosterMarty]

Will Covic be ok for the Qatar game? There is only Ante and Schwarzer in the squad but they can always call up someone like Robbie Bajic if they need to.

[Dirko]

Will Covic be ok for the Qatar game? There is only Ante and Schwarzer in the squad but they can always call up someone like Robbie Bajic if they need to.

Yeah he'll be OK. The Voik from CCM is also in the squad...plenty of depth...

[Dirko]

Rain delay at Suncorp (30 mins) but underway. Queensland Roar score @ 13th Reinaldo....

[Dirko]

RED CARD...Middleby off...Bling down to 10...

[Dirko]

All over bar the shouting..83rd Qld 2 - Bling FA...

Yep it's over...seeya Bling !! The Roar to play the either CCM or Jets....

[Wedgie]

Cool, at least we know no matter what happens there will be a new champion!

[redden whites]

How many finals games has Kosmina won now???? Anyone know ?? Is It about 1 WIN from 7 or 8 attempts .Even in the the 1 win he got himself suspended during the aftermath.

[RoosterMarty]

He hasn't had a win in normal time yet.

Great win by the Roar, class goal by Reinaldo. They will miss him next season if he does depart.

[Dirko]

Well the CCM "won" 2 nil over Newcastle, but as the Jets "won" 2 nil the previous leg now into 30 mins extra time....