Ian ConstantineJets win A-League Grand Final – The game, the controversy and the Aftermath
February 25th 2008 06:07
It was built as the big F3 Derby – and if passion is anything to go by, the game did not disappoint… It took all of 10 seconds for the first harsh challenge to fly in and the lines in the sand were drawn.
In an expectedly heated opening exchange there were some heavy tackles and it could easily have gotten out of hand… Referee Mark Shield must have known he was in for a tough game – and within 3 minutes this was reinforced… If only he knew what was in store for him in the closing minutes…
As far as the crowd goes – the atmosphere was unreal. The Newcastle Squadron were loud, full of energy and dominated the sound waves. It seemed to galvanize the Jets who had the best of the first 20 minutes.
First Joel Thompson was put through but fired high – and then Mark Bridge was put in the open a minute later by a skillful back heel from Jets new recruit Song but in front of the Squadron his curled attempt went narrowly wide… Much to the disgust of a certain punter who had money on him to be first goal scorer… That was his chance he was heard bemoaning at the juicy odds of 11-1 odds!!
In a match devoid of genuine chances the players made up for it with physical challenges and niggly one-ups-men-ship… The crowd well left to entertain themselves in sections of the game with chants of “Sasho is a girl’s name…” the Squadron yelled – obviously still scarred by Petrovski’s efforts in front of goal in the Qualifying Final..
So honors were shared going into the break – as expected, Jets had the better of possession, but couldn’t quite find that final ball to get in on goal – a problem they have faced all season really – brilliant passing let down at the clinch – when it matters most.
It was Jets Coach Gary Van Egmond who rolled the dice and as is his way continued with his mantra of “No Guts No Glory” in the season’s most important game… Egmond changed his starting line-up and amazingly played Joel Griffiths in midfield – leaving Mark Bridge as the Jets lone striker – it proved a masterstroke…
The Jets leading goal scorer turned midfield playmaker and combined with Song to control the centre of the park. This directly resulted in Aloisi receiving no service up front and the Aussie Striker was frustrated for most of the game – this would boil over in the famous last 2 minutes…
The moment came in just after the hour mark when Veteran defender Tony Vidmar who is the 3rd most capped Socceroo and playing his last match was caught in possession on halfway – Mark Bridge screamed down the middle of the field, ball in toe and curled a 20-foot shot brilliant around defender and keeper to put the Jets 1-0 up.
A certain punter cheered until his voice went hoarse as the 11-1 odds of 1st goal scorer paid a huge dividend – Bridge had repaid the faith with a 1st class finish worthy of winning any game.
It was unlucky for Vidmar who missed the heroics of the World Cup due to a heart problem and now will have to live with one mistake that cost his side dearly…
As the game ticked away, Central Coast flooded the Jets goal and first Aloisi missed a golden chance to score a header – he was unmarked and then a little later on he had his claims for a penalty waved away. Aloisi remonstrated with the linesmen that his shirt had been tugged but to no avail.
With time rapidly running out the Mariners won a corner and keeper Danny Vukovic came up in a last gap effort to equalize… Would ensued was complete and utter chaotic madness that was destined to overshadow the aftermath of the game.
The corner curled in and amidst a flurry of legs, heads and bodies the ball eventually went out… To most people at the ground – that is honestly all we saw… The Mariners went bezerk – storming towards Mark Shields and demanding a penalty – Vukovic physically displayed his angst and was subsequently given his marching orders – it was a circus – the players were out of control and it threatened to escalate totally out of control.
Replays would later show the ball had in fact hit a hand and penalty claims were valid – but this does not excuse for one second the ensuing ruckus that saw Aloisi holding Jets players by the throat – he was lucky not to be sent off in reality. It was the moment of contention in a heated Grand Final come Derby…
Note this video does not show the ensuing 2 min circus which saw players holding each other by the throat in an ugly finale
The moment that unfortunately will be remembered when people think back to the 08 decider. It was a messy end to a game that had been high on passion and heated exchanges but lacking quality chances that the fans had ultimately came to see.
Not that it mattered to Newcastle who were playing on the same surface that the Knights had famously made their own back in 1997…
As full-time sounded one couldn’t help but feel the game had been marred by the final ugly clashes between players and officials –
But as far as a spectacle goes – the atmosphere was unreal – there is something about soccer fans – the cheers, the chants – the emotion it is not seen in any other sport – I’ve been to Rugby, I’ve been to League – I went to the cricket next door Aus v Ind and the atmosphere simply couldn’t be matched…
Whilst the cricket had a good crowd, the atmosphere was distinctly devoid of passion in comparison – I know, I know it was a Grand Final and a Derby at that – but still, it was definitely an eye-opening experience…
So what will come out in the aftermath? I am sure Mariners fans everywhere will cry fool – but that is the nature of the Beast…
The Jets were almost cruelly robbed last week by numerous bad decisions – a dubious off-side and then 2 dodgy penalty decisions– but were good enough to get through and the better team won.
It is unfortunate a bad ref decision and an ugly aftermath has robbed the headlines… this is sport – you win some you lose some and as harsh as that is – it will always be a part of the game.
What can not be overlooked is the behavior of certain players – there is one certain truth in sport – one thing we are taught from juniors – something that is being lost in the modern game…
The referees decision is FINAL!! You can’t change it, and no amount of yelling, remonstrating, intimidation or physical conduct is going to change it.
You take the good with the bad…
Yes – he missed a penalty – but so did most of the fans I talked to after the game – they obviously knew something had happened, but to claim everybody knew it was a handball is just wrong. It could have gone either way – fortune favored the Jets and there was no time left on the clock.
Vukovic can not be excused for his actions – and Aloisi should not escapes some repercussions either…
A famous victory in the A-League mark III. But will it be remembered for the right reasons…
One wonders….
But then he also wonders why he didn’t have more money on Bridge to be first goal-scorer…
Hindsight is a killer…
Keep-er-way
In an expectedly heated opening exchange there were some heavy tackles and it could easily have gotten out of hand… Referee Mark Shield must have known he was in for a tough game – and within 3 minutes this was reinforced… If only he knew what was in store for him in the closing minutes…
As far as the crowd goes – the atmosphere was unreal. The Newcastle Squadron were loud, full of energy and dominated the sound waves. It seemed to galvanize the Jets who had the best of the first 20 minutes.
First Joel Thompson was put through but fired high – and then Mark Bridge was put in the open a minute later by a skillful back heel from Jets new recruit Song but in front of the Squadron his curled attempt went narrowly wide… Much to the disgust of a certain punter who had money on him to be first goal scorer… That was his chance he was heard bemoaning at the juicy odds of 11-1 odds!!
In a match devoid of genuine chances the players made up for it with physical challenges and niggly one-ups-men-ship… The crowd well left to entertain themselves in sections of the game with chants of “Sasho is a girl’s name…” the Squadron yelled – obviously still scarred by Petrovski’s efforts in front of goal in the Qualifying Final..
So honors were shared going into the break – as expected, Jets had the better of possession, but couldn’t quite find that final ball to get in on goal – a problem they have faced all season really – brilliant passing let down at the clinch – when it matters most.
It was Jets Coach Gary Van Egmond who rolled the dice and as is his way continued with his mantra of “No Guts No Glory” in the season’s most important game… Egmond changed his starting line-up and amazingly played Joel Griffiths in midfield – leaving Mark Bridge as the Jets lone striker – it proved a masterstroke…
The Jets leading goal scorer turned midfield playmaker and combined with Song to control the centre of the park. This directly resulted in Aloisi receiving no service up front and the Aussie Striker was frustrated for most of the game – this would boil over in the famous last 2 minutes…
The moment came in just after the hour mark when Veteran defender Tony Vidmar who is the 3rd most capped Socceroo and playing his last match was caught in possession on halfway – Mark Bridge screamed down the middle of the field, ball in toe and curled a 20-foot shot brilliant around defender and keeper to put the Jets 1-0 up.
A certain punter cheered until his voice went hoarse as the 11-1 odds of 1st goal scorer paid a huge dividend – Bridge had repaid the faith with a 1st class finish worthy of winning any game.
It was unlucky for Vidmar who missed the heroics of the World Cup due to a heart problem and now will have to live with one mistake that cost his side dearly…
As the game ticked away, Central Coast flooded the Jets goal and first Aloisi missed a golden chance to score a header – he was unmarked and then a little later on he had his claims for a penalty waved away. Aloisi remonstrated with the linesmen that his shirt had been tugged but to no avail.
With time rapidly running out the Mariners won a corner and keeper Danny Vukovic came up in a last gap effort to equalize… Would ensued was complete and utter chaotic madness that was destined to overshadow the aftermath of the game.
The corner curled in and amidst a flurry of legs, heads and bodies the ball eventually went out… To most people at the ground – that is honestly all we saw… The Mariners went bezerk – storming towards Mark Shields and demanding a penalty – Vukovic physically displayed his angst and was subsequently given his marching orders – it was a circus – the players were out of control and it threatened to escalate totally out of control.
Replays would later show the ball had in fact hit a hand and penalty claims were valid – but this does not excuse for one second the ensuing ruckus that saw Aloisi holding Jets players by the throat – he was lucky not to be sent off in reality. It was the moment of contention in a heated Grand Final come Derby…
Note this video does not show the ensuing 2 min circus which saw players holding each other by the throat in an ugly finale
The moment that unfortunately will be remembered when people think back to the 08 decider. It was a messy end to a game that had been high on passion and heated exchanges but lacking quality chances that the fans had ultimately came to see.
Not that it mattered to Newcastle who were playing on the same surface that the Knights had famously made their own back in 1997…
As full-time sounded one couldn’t help but feel the game had been marred by the final ugly clashes between players and officials –
But as far as a spectacle goes – the atmosphere was unreal – there is something about soccer fans – the cheers, the chants – the emotion it is not seen in any other sport – I’ve been to Rugby, I’ve been to League – I went to the cricket next door Aus v Ind and the atmosphere simply couldn’t be matched…
Whilst the cricket had a good crowd, the atmosphere was distinctly devoid of passion in comparison – I know, I know it was a Grand Final and a Derby at that – but still, it was definitely an eye-opening experience…
So what will come out in the aftermath? I am sure Mariners fans everywhere will cry fool – but that is the nature of the Beast…
The Jets were almost cruelly robbed last week by numerous bad decisions – a dubious off-side and then 2 dodgy penalty decisions– but were good enough to get through and the better team won.
It is unfortunate a bad ref decision and an ugly aftermath has robbed the headlines… this is sport – you win some you lose some and as harsh as that is – it will always be a part of the game.
What can not be overlooked is the behavior of certain players – there is one certain truth in sport – one thing we are taught from juniors – something that is being lost in the modern game…
The referees decision is FINAL!! You can’t change it, and no amount of yelling, remonstrating, intimidation or physical conduct is going to change it.
We are playing on a Rugby League field after all...
You take the good with the bad…
Yes – he missed a penalty – but so did most of the fans I talked to after the game – they obviously knew something had happened, but to claim everybody knew it was a handball is just wrong. It could have gone either way – fortune favored the Jets and there was no time left on the clock.
Vukovic can not be excused for his actions – and Aloisi should not escapes some repercussions either…
A famous victory in the A-League mark III. But will it be remembered for the right reasons…
One wonders….
But then he also wonders why he didn’t have more money on Bridge to be first goal-scorer…
Hindsight is a killer…
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