Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ben Buckley, has forwarded his congratulations on behalf of Australian football’s governing body to the Central Coast Mariners for securing the Hyundai A-League Premier’s Plate.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ben Buckley, has forwarded his congratulations on behalf of Australian football’s governing body to the Central Coast Mariners for securing the Hyundai A-League Premier’s Plate.
The Mariners claimed their second ever Hyundai A-League Premiership success via a determined 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.
Goals from John Sutton and Bernie Ibini helped the yellow and navy to the win, with Leo Bertos- 80th minute strike proving only to be a consolation in the grand scheme of the occasion.
“The Central Coast Mariners have shown what a Club can achieve by building a strong team and embracing the community in which they live and work,” Buckley said.
“The Mariners have successfully put the Central Coast region on the map not only in Australia but in Asia and internationally and continue to punch above their weight with a fantastic Club culture and a passionate and active fan base.
“Credit must go to Graham Arnold for building a wonderful team that has helped take the Hyundai A-League to new heights over the past two seasons and we look forward to their contribution in the Hyundai A-League 2012 Finals Series.
“I am sure I echo the views of the entire football community in anticipation for what is sure to be one of the most competitive and exhilarating Hyundai A-League Finals Series to date,” he concluded.
The Mariners- focus now turns to the Hyundai A-League Finals Series with a home and away tie against Brisbane Roar locked in. An AFC Champions League Group G clash with Korea’s Seongnam Ilwha Chunma will also be held at Central Coast Stadium next Tuesday 3 April, with kick-off at 7pm.
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach, Graham Arnold, said: “Wednesday we start again. The Finals Series is a new competition. Brisbane home and away is a great test, a great rivalry and we-re looking forward to two bumper games to try and make the Grand Final again.”
“We want to win the double.”
Central Coast Mariners Hyundai A-League Finals Series Matches
Saturday 31 March 2012
Brisbane Roar (2) v Central Coast Mariners (1)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Local kick-off: 4.30pm (5.30pm AEST)
Sunday 8 April, 2012?
Central Coast Mariners (1) v Brisbane Roar (2)
Venue: Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford?
Kick off: 5.00pm local time?
Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the Hyundai A-League Finals Series*
*Member tickets on sale Monday at 9am / Football Family 9am Tuesday morning / Public on sale 9am Wednesday morning
