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2007–08 A-League
31st season of top-tier soccer league in Australia
31st season of top-tier soccer league in Australia
| Field | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| competition | A-League | |
| season | 2007–08 | |
| dates | 24 August 2007 – 24 February 2008 | |
| winners | Newcastle Jets (1st title) | |
| premiers | Central Coast Mariners | |
| (1st title) | ||
| continentalcup1 | [AFC Champions League](2009-afc-champions-league) | |
| continentalcup1 qualifiers | Newcastle Jets, | |
| Central Coast Mariners | ||
| matches | 111 | |
| total goals | 223 | |
| league topscorer | Joel Griffiths | |
| (12 goals) | ||
| best goalkeeper | Michael Theoklitos | |
| biggest home win | Central Coast Mariners 3–0 Wellington Phoenix | |
| Wellington Phoenix 4–1 Perth Glory | ||
| Adelaide United 4–1 Melbourne Victory | ||
| Adelaide United 4–1 Wellington Phoenix | ||
| Queensland Roar 3–0 Wellington Phoenix | ||
| Wellington Phoenix 3–0 Perth Glory | ||
| Melbourne Victory 3–0 Wellington Phoenix | ||
| Central Coast Mariners 3–0 Newcastle Jets | ||
| biggest away win | Newcastle Jets 1–4 Perth Glory | |
| Perth Glory 1–4 Queensland Roar | ||
| Central Coast Mariners 2–5 Melbourne Victory | ||
| highest scoring | Central Coast Mariners 4–5 Sydney FC | |
| longest wins | 4 games | |
| Newcastle Jets | ||
| longest unbeaten | 6 games | |
| Melbourne Victory | ||
| longest winless | 11 games | |
| Perth Glory | ||
| longest losses | 4 games | |
| Adelaide United | ||
| Wellington Phoenix | ||
| highest attendance | 33,458 | |
| lowest attendance | 6,252 | |
| average attendance | 14,610 ([[Image:Green Arrow Up.svg | 12px]] 1683) |
| prevseason | [2006–07](2006-07-a-league) | |
| nextseason | [2008–09](2008-09-a-league) |
(1st title) Central Coast Mariners (12 goals) Wellington Phoenix 4–1 Perth Glory Adelaide United 4–1 Melbourne Victory Adelaide United 4–1 Wellington Phoenix Queensland Roar 3–0 Wellington Phoenix Wellington Phoenix 3–0 Perth Glory Melbourne Victory 3–0 Wellington Phoenix Central Coast Mariners 3–0 Newcastle Jets Perth Glory 1–4 Queensland Roar Central Coast Mariners 2–5 Melbourne Victory Newcastle Jets Melbourne Victory Perth Glory Adelaide United Wellington Phoenix
The 2007–08 A-League was the 31st season of top-flight soccer in Australia, and the third season of the A-League competition since its establishment in 2004. Football Federation Australia hoped to build on the success of the previous two seasons and on the interest generated by Sydney FC and Adelaide United playing in the 2007 AFC Champions League, and the Socceroos competing in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.
Based on their A-League 2006-07 season performances Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory competed in the 2008 AFC Champions League, making it two consecutive seasons in the competition for Adelaide United. Based on the 2007–08 season of the A-League, the Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets qualified for the 2009 AFC Champions League, as the competition's Premiers and Champions respectively.
Changes included:
- The New Zealand Knights, who folded at the conclusion of the 2006–07 season, were replaced by Wellington Phoenix.
- An increase of the squad size, from 20 to 23 players, increasing the salary cap from A$1.6 million to A$1.8 million.
Clubs
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide United | Adelaide | Hindmarsh Stadium | 17,000 |
| Central Coast Mariners | Gosford | Bluetongue Stadium | 20,119 |
| Melbourne Victory | Melbourne | Telstra Dome | 56,347 |
| Newcastle Jets | Newcastle | Energy Australia Stadium | 26,164 |
| Perth Glory | Perth | Members Equity Stadium | 18,156 |
| Queensland Roar | Brisbane | Suncorp Stadium | 52,500 |
| Sydney FC | Sydney | Aussie Stadium | 42,500 |
| Wellington Phoenix | Wellington | Westpac Stadium | 34,500 |
Foreign players
| Club | Visa 1 | Visa 2 | Visa 3 | Visa 4 | Non-Visa foreigner(s) | Former player(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide United | BRA Cássio | BRA Diego Walsh | NED Bobby Petta | CIV Jonas Salley1 | ||
| Central Coast Mariners | GER André Gumprecht | MLT John Hutchinson2 | ||||
| Melbourne Victory | BRA Leandro Love | CRC Carlos Hernández | ENG Joe Keenan | SCO Grant Brebner | ||
| Newcastle Jets | BRA Denni | BRA Mário Jardel | KOR Song Jin-hyung | ARG Jorge Drovandi | ||
| Perth Glory | ENG James Robinson | CRO Mate Dragicevic | LBR Jerry Karpeh1 | |||
| Queensland Roar | BRA Marcinho | BRA Reinaldo | SCO Simon Lynch | KOR Seo Hyuk-su1 | ||
| Sydney FC | BRA Juninho | BRA Patrick da Silva | NIR Terry McFlynn | USA Michael Enfield | ENG Michael Bridges3 | |
| FRA Michael Herbet3 | ||||||
| Wellington Phoenix | BRA Cleberson | BRA Daniel | BRA Felipe | BRA George |
The following do not fill a Visa position:
1Those players who were born and started their professional career abroad but have since gained Australian Residency (and New Zealand Residency, in the case of Wellington Phoenix);
2Australian residents (and New Zealand residents, in the case of Wellington Phoenix) who have chosen to represent another national team;
3Injury Replacement Players, or National Team Replacement Players;
4Guest Players (eligible to play a maximum of ten games)
Salary cap exemptions and captains
| Club | Marquee | Captain | Vice-Captain |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Adelaide United** | AUS Paul Agostino | AUS Michael Valkanis | AUS Travis Dodd |
| **Central Coast Mariners** | AUS Tony Vidmar | AUS Alex Wilkinson | *None* |
| **Melbourne Victory** | AUS Archie Thompson | AUS Kevin Muscat | *None* |
| **Newcastle Jets** | BRA Mário Jardel | AUS Jade North | AUS Ante Covic |
| **Perth Glory** | AUS Stan Lazaridis | AUS Simon Colosimo | *None* |
| **Queensland Roar** | AUS Craig Moore | AUS Craig Moore | *None* |
| **Sydney FC** | BRA Juninho | AUS Tony Popovic | *None* |
| **Wellington Phoenix** | AUS Ahmad Elrich | AUS Ross Aloisi | NZL Tim Brown |
Pre-Season Challenge Cup
Main article: 2007 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup
The pre-season cup competition was held in July and August in the lead up to the start of the A-League season. The opening round began on 14 July 2007. The competition featured a group stage, with three regular rounds, followed by a two-week finals playoff.
The pre-season cup was won by Adelaide United at the final on 12 August 2007.
Regular season
The league season took a triple round-robin format over 21 rounds between 24 August 2007 and 20 January 2008 with each team playing the other seven teams three times.
League table
Winning the 2008 A-League Grand Final earns qualification for the 2009 AFC Champions League group stage, unless the Grand Final winners are also first place, in which case the Grand Final runner up qualifies.
Round 1
Summary Ognenovski Djité
Summary Smeltz Allsopp
Round 2
Summary Kwasnik
Summary Brosque Burns
Round 3
Round 4
Summary Daniel
Summary McKay
Round 5
Summary Musialik Caceres
Summary Smeltz Djite
Round 6
Summary Thompson
Summary Smeltz Coveny Lochhead
Round 7
Summary Kruse
Round 8
Summary Dodd Pantelis
Summary Robinson Prentice Patrick
Summary J. Griffiths
Round 9
Summary Petrovski
Summary Thompson
Round 10
Summary J. Griffiths
Summary Lynch Harnwell Coyne
Summary Popovic
Summary Burns Pantelis Spagnuolo
Round 11
Summary Pondeljak
Round 12
Summary J. Simpson Rukavytsya
Summary Marcinho
Round 13
Round 14
Round 15
Summary Pantelis
Summary
J.Aloisi
Owens
Kwasnik
McFlynn
Biddle
Santalab
Talay
Summary Rukavytsya
Round 16
Summary Felipe
Summary Alagich
Summary McKay
Round 17
Summary Petrovski
Summary Bridges Bertos
Summary J. Griffiths
Round 18
Summary Corica Middleby
Summary Tunbridge Ferrante Rees
Summary Reinaldo Minniecon McCloughan
Summary
J.Aloisi
Allsopp
Thompson
Muscat
Round 19
Summary Brosque
Summary Holland
Summary Thompson
Round 20
Summary Ward Patafta
Summary J. Griffiths
Summary Rukavytsya Harnwell Dodd
Round 21
Summary Bridge
Summary Kwasnik
Summary Brosque Allsopp
Summary Pantelis
Finals series
|RD1-legs=2 |RD1-date1=27 January & 10 February |RD1-team2=Central Coast Mariners |RD1-seed2=1 |RD1-score2-1=0 |RD1-score2-2=3 |RD1-score2-agg=3 |RD1-team1=Newcastle Jets |RD1-seed1=2 |RD1-score1-1=2 |RD1-score1-2=0 |RD1-score1-agg=2 |RD1-date2=25 January & 8 February |RD1-team3=Sydney FC |RD1-seed3=3 |RD1-score3-1=0 |RD1-score3-2=0 |RD1-score3-agg=0 |RD1-team4=Queensland Roar |RD1-seed4=4 |RD1-score4-1=0 |RD1-score4-2=2 |RD1-score4-agg=2 |RD2-date=17 February |RD2-seed1=2 |RD2-seed2=4 |RD2-team1=Newcastle Jets |RD2-team2=Queensland Roar |RD2-score1=3 |RD2-score2=2 |RD3-date=24 February |RD3-seed1=1 |RD3-seed2=2 |RD3-team1=Central Coast Mariners |RD3-team2=Newcastle Jets |RD3-score1=0 |RD3-score2=1
Semi-finals
Summary J. Griffiths
(Delayed Kickoff) Summary
- Reinaldo
- S. Ognenovski
Petrovski
Preliminary-final
- Thompson
- J.Griffiths
- Elrich
Grand Final
Season statistics
Leading scorers
| Total | Player | Team | Goals per Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 12 | AUS | Joel Griffiths | Newcastle Jets |
| 9 | NZL | Shane Smeltz | Wellington Phoenix |
| 8 | AUS | Alex Brosque | Sydney FC |
| 8 | AUS | Jamie Harnwell | Perth Glory |
| 7 | AUS | Daniel Allsopp | Melbourne Victory |
| 7 | AUS | John Aloisi | Central Coast Mariners |
| 6 | AUS | Sasho Petrovski | Central Coast Mariners |
| 6 | BRA | Reinaldo | Queensland Roar |
| 6 | AUS | Archie Thompson | Melbourne Victory |
| 6 | AUS | Lucas Pantelis | Adelaide United |
| 5 | AUS | Nikita Rukavytsya | Perth Glory |
| 4 | AUS | Paul Agostino | Adelaide United |
| 4 | AUS | Billy Celeski | Perth Glory |
| 4 | BRA | Daniel | Wellington Phoenix |
| 4 | AUS | Travis Dodd | Adelaide United |
| 4 | AUS | Bruce Djite | Adelaide United |
| 4 | CRI | Carlos Hernández Valverde | Melbourne Victory |
| 4 | AUS | Robbie Kruse | Queensland Roar |
| 4 | AUS | Adam Kwasnik | Central Coast Mariners |
| 3 | AUS | Mark Bridge | Newcastle Jets |
| 3 | AUS | Nathan Burns | Adelaide United |
| 3 | AUS | Steve Corica | Sydney FC |
| 3 | BRA | Felipe | Wellington Phoenix |
| 3 | AUS | John Hutchinson | Central Coast Mariners |
| 3 | AUS | Josh McCloughan | Queensland Roar |
| 3 | AUS | Matt McKay | Queensland Roar |
| 3 | AUS | Kevin Muscat | Melbourne Victory |
| 3 | AUS | Ufuk Talay | Sydney FC |
| 2 | AUS | Richie Alagich | Adelaide United |
| 2 | USA | Michael Bridges | Sydney FC |
| 2 | AUS | Adam Griffiths | Newcastle Jets |
| 2 | SCO | Simon Lynch | Queensland Roar |
| 2 | AUS | Nik Mrdja | Central Coast Mariners |
| 2 | BRA | Marcinho | Queensland Roar |
| 2 | AUS | Santalab | Sydney FC |
Attendance
The attendance records of each of the teams at the end of the home and away season, does not include finals series attendances.
- Adelaide United played a one-off match at the Adelaide Oval against Sydney FC in their Round 18 match. This is why Adelaide United's Highest single attendance exceeds the capacity of Hindmarsh Stadium.
Top 10 attendances
| Attendance | Round | Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Weekday | Time of Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36,354 | Grand Final | 24 February 2008 | Central Coast Mariners | 0–1 | Newcastle Jets | Sydney Football Stadium | Sunday | Day |
| 36,221 | Finals – Week 2 | 8 February 2008 | Queensland Roar | 2–0 | Sydney FC | Suncorp Stadium | Friday | Night |
| 33,458 | Round 21 | 20 January 2008 | Sydney FC | 2–2 | Melbourne Victory | Sydney Football Stadium | Sunday | Day |
| 31,933 | Round 20 | 13 January 2008 | Queensland Roar | 0–0 | Sydney FC | Suncorp Stadium | Sunday | Twilight |
| 31,884 | Round 12 | 10 November 2007 | Melbourne Victory | 0–0 | Sydney FC | Telstra Dome | Saturday | Night |
| 31,545 | Round 2 | 1 September 2007 | Melbourne Victory | 0–0 | Perth Glory | Telstra Dome | Saturday | Night |
| 27,351 | Round 4 | 16 September 2007 | Melbourne Victory | 0–0 | Central Coast Mariners | Telstra Dome | Sunday | Afternoon |
| 27,123 | Round 10 | 26 October 2007 | Melbourne Victory | 0–2 | Newcastle Jets | Telstra Dome | Friday | Night |
| 25,622 | Round 6 | 28 September 2007 | Melbourne Victory | 2–0 | Queensland Roar | Telstra Dome | Friday | Night |
| 25,598 | Round 9 | 21 October 2007 | Melbourne Victory | 2–1 | Perth Glory | Telstra Dome | Sunday | Afternoon |
Disciplinary
The Fair Play Award was awarded to Newcastle Jets, the team with the lowest points on the fair play ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season.
Awards
- The Premiers' Plate was awarded to Central Coast Mariners, who finished on top of the ladder after the regular season.
- The Championship Trophy was awarded to the Newcastle Jets.
- The Johnny Warren Medal was awarded to Joel Griffiths from the Newcastle Jets for the best player in the league.
- The Coach of the Year was awarded to Gary van Egmond of the Newcastle Jets.
- The Joe Marston Medal was awarded to Andrew Durante of Newcastle Jets.
- The Reebok Golden Boot was awarded to Joel Griffiths of Newcastle Jets (12 goals - regular season).
- The Rising Star award was awarded to Bruce Djite of Adelaide United.
- The Fair Play Award was awarded to the Newcastle Jets.
References
References
- (19 March 2007). "Kiwis alive as Townsville pulls pin". [[Fox Sports (Australia).
- (31 December 2006). "The time is right to go into the ref's book". [[The Age]].
- (23 April 2007). "A-League lifts its salary cap to $1.8m". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
- (17 August 2007). "Agostino Scores on His Debut". FTBL.
- (10 September 2007). "Injured Adelaide United skipper out for season". [[Brisbane Times]].
- (12 February 2008). "Valkanis and Costanzo Stay With Adelaide". FTBL.
- (31 July 2008). "Dodd Gets The Nod As Skipper". FTBL.
- (14 February 2008). "Vidmar announces retirement". [[ABC News (Australia).
- (8 February 2011). "Captain Wilkinson promoted to Centurion". [[Football Federation Australia]].
- Lynch, Michael. (30 April 2016). "Archie Thompson should play on after leaving Melbourne Victory". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
- (2 May 2014). "Archie Thompson, Adrian Leijer sign new deals with Melbourne Victory". [[The Guardian]].
- (29 August 2007). "Muscat Takes on Coaching Role". FTBL.
- (31 October 2013). "Kevin Muscat appointed as new Melbourne Victory coach". [[The Guardian]].
- (14 August 2007). "Jardel flies in for Jets". [[Special Broadcasting Service.
- (13 December 2008). "North heading to Korea". [[Newcastle Jets FC.
- Cockerill, Michael. (14 December 2006). "Sydney stars on the radar as Smith goes Glory seeking". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
- (8 August 2007). "Colosimo new Perth skipper". [[Special Broadcasting Service.
- Ritson, Jon. (24 July 2007). "Moore Signs With Roar". [[FourFourTwo]].
- (28 September 2008). "Moore has his hands full".
- Cockerill, Michael. (1 August 2007). "Sydney FC end marquee mess with Juninho swoop". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
- (19 September 2007). "Poppa's Yer Ante in Family Affair". FTBL.
- Maddaford, Terry. (13 May 2008). "Soccer: Phoenix patient for marquee player". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
- (17 June 2007). "Aloisi named captain of Phoenix". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
- (17 July 2008). "Durante named Wellington Phoenix skipper". [[Nine MSN]].
- [http://www.a-league.com.au/_content/document/00000327-source.pdf Hyundai A-League 2007–08 Season Draw]{{Dead link. (April 2019)
- Match postponed due to heavy rain affecting pitch conditions.
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