One of the closest run Hyundai A-League campaigns we’ve ever seen, the 2007/08 season will go down as one of the best in the competition’s history.
We’ve picked out four of the best moments from a cracking season.
The story of Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Season
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Mariners’ second leg fightback
After being pipped to the Premiers’ Plate by Central Coast, the Jets looked like being the first team into the grand final after winning the first leg of the Major Semi 2-0 in the Hunter.
But in an incredible turnaround in Gosford a week later, goals in each half to Adam Kwasnik and Sasho Petrovski forced extra-time.
Petrovski then scored again in the extra 30 minutes to seal a 3-2 aggregate win for the Mariners and send the club into their second decider in three seasons.
Santalab’s Adelaide Oval stunner
The Hyundai A-League went to the picturesque Adelaide Oval a few days after Christmas and we saw one of the goals of the campaign from a then-Sydney FC striker.
With his side trailing 1-0 to the Reds, Brendon Santalab produced a classic curling effort from distance to level the scores just before the break, with the Sky Blues going on to win 3-1 in front of more than 25,000 fans.
Incredible final round
In arguably the closest finish to a regular season ever, the top-four sides – Queensland Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC all went into Round 21 on 31 points.
While Roar had the advantage on goal difference, their final round loss to Adelaide saw them drop to fourth, with the Mariners 2-0 win over Wellington allowing them to take top spot from the Jets by a solitary goal.
Bridge’s Grand Final winner
It was always going to take something special to split the Mariners and Jets in the decider, with neither side giving an inch in a tense battle.
But Mark Bridge produced the moment of magic just after the hour mark, capitalising on a defensive slip before driving forward and sending a brilliant shot past the despairing Danny Vukovic.
