After losing three previous Hyundai A-League grand finals – including the epic decider against Brisbane Roar in 2011 – the Central Coast Mariners finally landed the Holy Grail in 2013.
For the club’s current coach – and then assistant Phil Moss – April 21, 2013 will be a day that lives long in the memory.
More than 42,000 fans crammed into Allianz Stadium as the Mariners won their first Hyundai A-League championship with a 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers FC.
It was a huge relief, an amazing achievement and for Moss his beautiful moment.
“It was just something that the club and the supporters had sought for a long time,” Moss reflected with www.a-league.com.au .
“We had three chances before it and to finally clinch it and see, the three years that I had at the club, three years of hard work pay off under Arnie (coach Graham Arnold) and see someone like Hutch (John Hutchinson) who had been at the club so long, lift the trophy was probably the most beautiful moment.
“When we got beaten on penalties by Brisbane in my first year at the club, I always believed all things happen for a reason.
“On that day you just didn’t know what the reason was but when we won it in Sydney and had a lot more of our fans at that game than we did in Brisbane and in front of our family as well, the reason came home to roost.”
He added: “It was a fantastic day for the whole competition and Australian football because it was a full house and the Wanderers had been such a fantastic story and their supporters lit up the league but I thought our supporters matched them on the day even though we were outnumbered, I thought we really matched them in the stands and dominated on the field.”
2014/15 Central Coast Mariners Memberships are on sale now! Be more than a fan, become a Member today by clicking here
Members are our most important signings, so commit to your team today in the best possible way!
#BeautifulGame
