Manager Lawrie McKinna Finals 2nd Top goalscorer S. Petrie - 8 | A-League 3rd Pre-season cup 1st | |
The 2005-06 season was the first for both the Central Coast Mariners and the Hyundai A-League
Contents
- First team squad
- Phillips International Soccer Sevens
- Club World Cup Qualification Competition
- 2005 Pre Season Cup
- Ladder
- End of Year Awards
- References
Compared with its Sydney rival, the Central Coast Mariners had a far more low-key buildup to the inaugural A-League season. The majority of its squad were experienced players from the defunct National Soccer League. They generally exceeded most expectations, having a very successful season, culminating in two solid displays in the preliminary competitions and reaching the grand final in the A-League.
First team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Phillips International Soccer Sevens
The Mariners competed in Phillips International soccer sevens tournament played in Hong Kong. Their group featured three of the biggest teams in the world, PSV, Manchester United and Celtic. The Mariners caused one of the upsets of the tournament by defeating a somewhat understrength Manchester United 2-1.
Club World Cup Qualification Competition
The Mariners were runners-up to Sydney FC in the qualifying tournament held to determine Australia's entry in the FIFA Club World Cup, losing in the grand final 1-0.
2005 Pre-Season Cup
Group B
Ladder
Updated to games played on 5 February 2006
Source: theworldgame.sbs.com.au
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
1First place through to fourth place qualify for the 2006 A-League Finals Series.
2First place qualifies for the 2007 AFC Champions League Group stage.
3Winning the 2006 A-League Grand Final earns qualification for the 2007 AFC Champions League Group stage, unless the Grand Final winners are also first place, in which case the Grand Final runner up qualifies.
4New Zealand Knights cannot qualify for the 2007 AFC Champions League as they are not recognised as an AFC club.