Hyundai A-League Pre-Season Cup 2006 Final and Playoffs Wrap-up

The final round of the Pre-Season Cup was an intriguing one with most interest being directed to the final between Central Coast and Adelaide, two major contenders for the proper title at the end of the regular season. In the first match of the round was the play-off for seventh place: New Zealand Knights hosting the Queensland Roar.

Neither team had registered a victory in the Pre-Season Cup so far and New Zealand were a bit unlucky after their improved form to be again in the bottom two. After a scoreless first half, Queensland won the match with two goals in the first 10 mins after half-time with goals to Brazillian striker: Reinaldo and Dario Vidosic. New Zealand were quick to respond with a goal through Darren Bazeley but it was enough to spark an equalizer and New Zealand knights ended up a undeserving last.

It was again another late-goal from Victory striker: Danny Allsopp that secured Melbourne Victory a 1 - 0 win over Perth Glory and giving themselves fifth place. The play-off for third place was between two injured-ravaged sides but Sydney FC simply outclassed the Newcastle Jets to pinch the third spot with a 2 goal win.

The Pre-Season Cup final was an intrigueing affair with last year's cup holders: Central Coast Mariners hosting last year's regular season premiers: Adelaide United. Despite Central Coast dominance in the first half, Adelaide were able to score an early goal through Carl Veart. An attacking Central Coast were desperate for a equalizer and eventually got one in the 77th minute through Andre Gumprecht. It looked like a tiring Adelaide would be overrun by the home team but they were able to hold on for the regular 90 minutes than the 30 minutes of extra times for the match to be decided by a penalty shootout.

In the shootout it was Scottish veteran: Stewart Petrie who was one of the four players to tie for the Hyundai A-League Golden Boot last season that missed his spotkick and delievered Adelaide a 5-4 penalty shoout victory and the Pre-Season Cup!FINAL:

Central Coast Mariners - 1
Andre Gumprecht '77
Adelaide United - 1
Carl Veart '7
(Penalty Shootout: Adelaide United won 4 - 5 )
Jamie McMaster - scored
Richie Alagich - scored
Stewart Petrie - crossbar
Greg Owens - scored
Wayne O'Sullivan - scored
Ross Aloisi - scored
Noel Spencer - scored
Shengqing Qu - scored
John Hutchinson - scored
Carl Veart - scored

PLAY-OFFS:

New Zealand Knights - 1
Darren Bazeley '65
Queensland Roar - 2
Reinaldo '49, Dario Vidosic '54

Melbourne Victory - 1
Danny Allsopp '84
Perth Glory - 0

Sydney - 2
Sasho Petrevski '40, Mark Rudan '68
Newcastle Jets - 0