With 100 days until kick-off in the ninth edition of the Hyundai A-League we cast our eye over some classic matches that have had us on the edge of our seats.
Last season-s Hyundai A-League was arguably the competition-s best with some great match-ups and high quality football punctuated by record crowds and television audiences.
Western Sydney Wanderers went on an unprecedented 10-game winning streak on their way to claiming the Premier-s Plate in their inaugural season. While Central Coast Mariners won their first Hyundai A-League Championship following three previous grand final appearances.
With 100 days until kick-off in the ninth edition of the Hyundai A-League we begin our look at some classic matches that have had us on the edge of our seats since the league’s induction.
Hyundai A-League-s first ever match: Newcastle Jets 0 – 1 Adelaide United Round 1, 2005
The Hyundai A-League relaunched domestic football in spectacular style back in 2005, with the first ever match taking place between the Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United.
The likes of Mark Bridge and Nicky Carle – still applying their trade in the A-League today, were there when it all began back on August 26th, 2005.
With a parochial Newcastle crowd cheering them on the Jets had the better of the opening exchanges but it was Adelaide that opened the scoring on 18-minutes.
After counter-attacking from deep in their half, the ball came to Ross Aloisi who put in a delightful cross to find Carl Veart making a run into the box.
Veart rose to meet the ball at the front post with a majestic header that saw the ball thunder past a stranded Liam Reddy and into the back of the net.
The hosts had the chance to reply almost immediately with a good chance falling to Mark Bridge but he spurned the ball wide of the goal.
The Jets had several more chances as they sought an equaliser, with Richard Johnson and Allan Picken leaving their home fans gasping in the stands.
Veart could have grabbed a double in the second half but his effort was one to forget. He will however always be remembered as the first goal scorer in the A-League.
Travis Dodd had a chance in injury to rescue a point for Newcastle but was unable to convert, as Adelaide held on to collect the first three points on offer in the new domestic competition.
A historic occasion. A delightful goal. The Hyundai A-League had arrived.
