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Mariners finish season on top

20 January 2008 | 21:38 - AAP

Central Coast Mariners have claimed the A-League Premiership after a dramatic final day to the regular season.

 

The Mariners, 2-0 winners over Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, held on to top spot after Sydney FC and Queensland Roar both failed to win their final games on Sunday.

Sydney FC drew 2-2 with Melbourne Victory in front of a season-best 33,458-strong crowd at Sydney Football Stadium while Queensland Roar were shock 2-0 losers at Adelaide United.

Four clubs began the final round tied on 31 points, but only Central Coast and Newcastle Jets claimed victories, with the Mariners winning the league title - and a berth in the 2009 AFC Champions League - through a better goal difference.

The Jets, who beat Perth 2-1 on Friday, finished second, with Sydney third and the Roar fourth.

Sydney and Queensland will now face off in a two-legged elimination semi-final, with Central Coast and Newcastle playing in the major semi-final.

The Minor Semi-Final 1st Leg between Sydney FC and Queensland Roar is to be played at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday 25 January at 8pm.

The Major Semi-Final 1st Leg between Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners at EnergyAustralia Stadium will kick-off at 6pm on Sunday 27 January.

The A-League finals will then take a break ahead of Australia's World Cup qualifier against Qatar on February 6.

The Minor Semi 2nd Leg between Queensland Roar and Sydney FC is scheduled for 7pm Friday 8 February 2008 at Suncorp Stadium.

The Major Semi-Final 2nd Leg will see Central Coast Mariners host Newcastle Jets at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday 20 February 2008 at 6pm.

Under A-League rules, the winner of the Major Semi Final earns the right to host the Grand Final.

But despite the Mariners and Jets finishing one and two, the decider is unlikely to be played in either Gosford or Newcastle with the FFA understood to favour a Sydney final, likely at the Olympic Stadium or the SFS.

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