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2003–04 National Soccer League

28th season of top-tier soccer league in Australia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The 2003–04 National Soccer League season was the 28th and final season of the National Soccer League in Australia. Perth Glory were crowned both premiers and champions after winning both the league and grand final.[1]

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Overview

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The season was remembered as the end of an era for the national league, following the announcement in 2003 that the national competition would be wholly scrapped in response to the Crawford Report into soccer in Australia. The end of the NSL led to the formation of the A-League, a new national competition that began in 2005.

The season was played as a single league, home-and-away format with top six teams qualifying for a finals series. Adelaide City withdrew from the competition shortly before the start of the season, leading to the hasty formation of Adelaide United to take their place.

At the beginning of the season, it became obvious that the title would be fought between Perth Glory and Parramatta Power. The Champions Glory lost several of their title-winning squad, most notably their dominant midfield, most of whom to the Power. Parramatta, backed by the Leagues Club, bought big for the last year including notably Ante Milicic and Sasho Petrovski, looking to simply buy the title.

This tactic seemed to be working for a large part of the season, as Power held off major challengers Perth, including a memorable 6–0 hiding, Glory's worst-ever loss. However, a turning point came and Perth began to close the gap both in results and performance terms, and won the Premiership by 6 points in the end. Neither of these sides were ever really matched by other sides during the season. Perhaps the surprise of the season was Adelaide United, who surprised all by making the finals and nearly breaking Perth's all-time average season record attendance in the process, with the biggest crowds of the season. This was most notable as the club was thrown together just a few weeks before the season to take the place of former heavyweight Adelaide City.

In the finals series, notably Perth were comprehensively beaten in both legs of the major semi-final, while Adelaide progressed to the minor semi-final in their first ever season, only to be thrashed by Glory, just highlighting the gap between the top two sides and the rest of the league.

The last ever NSL Grand Final was held at Parramatta Stadium, due to Power winning the major semi-final. The Final was attended by a very measly crowd of just over 9,000, and played in thick rain from kick-off. Power's slick passing game was somewhat hurt by the poor conditions, and the game turned into something of a scrap. No goals were scored in 90 minutes of football, so the game went to extra-time where young Glory striker Nik Mrdja slotted to give Glory their fifth National League title and second NSL Championship, while Power finished the season with nothing to show for their quality and dominance.

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Clubs

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Regular season

League table

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: ozfootball.net
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored;
(C) Champions

Home and away season

Round 1


More information Wollongong Wolves, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,346

More information Parramatta Power, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 1,861
Referee: Simon Micallef

More information Football Kingz, 1 – 2 ...
Attendance: 2,304
Referee: D. Rugg

More information Melbourne Knights, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,205
Referee: Craig Zetter

More information Northern Spirit, 1 – 3 ...
Attendance: 2,971
Referee: C. Diomis

More information Sydney Olympic, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,370
Referee: James Lewis

Round 2


More information Newcastle United, 2 – 1 ...
Attendance: 4,673
Referee: James Lewis

More information Brisbane Strikers, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,625
Referee: Mark Shield

More information Marconi Stallions, 2 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,945
Referee: Simon Micallef

More information Sydney United, 2 – 1 ...
Attendance: 3,169
Referee: Ben Williams

More information Perth Glory, 3 – 0 ...
Attendance: 9,780
Referee: Eddie Lennie

More information Adelaide United, 0 – 2 ...
Attendance: 12,125
Referee: Perry Mur

Round 3


More information Wollongong Wolves, 0 – 4 ...
Attendance: 2,005
Referee: Mark Shield

More information Northern Spirit, 4 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,819

More information Parramatta Power, 4 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,616
Referee: Craig Zetter

More information Brisbane Strikers, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 3,042
Referee: P. Green

More information Marconi Stallions, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,068
Referee: Eddie Lennie

More information Melbourne Knights, 3 – 4 ...
Attendance: 1,164
Referee: James Lewis

Round 4


More information Newcastle United, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 3,501

More information Football Kingz, 1 – 3 ...
Attendance: 1,245
Referee: D. Rugg

More information Melbourne Knights, 1 – 2 ...
Attendance: 3,100
Referee: Perry Mur

More information South Melbourne FC, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 7,250
Referee: Eddie Lennie

More information Sydney Olympic, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 4,327
Referee: Simon Micallef

More information Marconi Stallions, 2 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,255
Referee: A. Nardi

Round 5


More information Adelaide United, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 15,568
Referee: Craig Zetter

More information Football Kingz, 1 – 2 ...
Attendance: 1,271
Referee: C. Diomis

More information Sydney Olympic, 1 – 2 ...
Attendance: 5,199
Referee: P. Green

More information Sydney United, 0 – 2 ...
Attendance: 3,152
Referee: Mark Shield

More information South Melbourne, 4 – 1 ...
Attendance: 3,750
Referee: D. Rugg

More information Northern Spirit, 3 – 5 ...
Attendance: 2,867

Round 6


More information Newcastle United, 2 – 3 ...
Attendance: 3,005
Referee: C. Diomis

More information Marconi Stallions, 1 – 2 ...
Attendance: 2,040
Referee: P. Mur

More information Melbourne Knights, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,900
Referee: B. Williams

More information Sydney Olympic, 0 – 2 ...
Attendance: 3,383
Referee: S. Pryzdacz

More information Sydney United, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,691
Referee: C. Zetter

More information Wollongong Wolves, 1 – 2 ...
Attendance: 3,226
Referee: B. Williams

Round 7


More information Brisbane Strikers, 2 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,715
Referee: J. Lewis

More information Parramatta Power, 6 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,639
Referee: M. Breeze

More information Sydney Olympic, 0 – 2 ...
Attendance: 2,593
Referee: S. Micallef

More information Adelaide United, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 14,413
Referee: A. Nardi

More information Northern Spirit, 3 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,388
Referee: E. Lennie

More information South Melbourne, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 5,950
Referee: M. Shield

Round 8


More information Wollongong Wolves, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,251
Referee: C. Diomis

More information Football Kingz, 0 – 2 ...
Attendance: 1,662
Referee: B. Hugo

More information Parramatta Power, 4 – 0 ...
Attendance: 1,683
Referee: P. Green

More information Marconi Stallions, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 1,820
Referee: C. Zetter

More information Perth Glory, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 7,356
Referee: S. Micallef

More information Sydney United, 3 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,756
Referee: M. Breeze

Round 9


More information Newcastle United, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 3,672
Referee: P. Mur

More information Wollongong Wolves, 3 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,085
Referee: B. Hugo

More information Marconi Stallions, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,439
Referee: S. Micallef

More information Sydney Olympic, 2 – 2 ...
Attendance: 2,398
Referee: B. Williams

More information Melbourne Knights, 0 – 5 ...
Attendance: 6,200
Referee: A. Nardi

More information Adelaide United, 1 – 4 ...
Attendance: 13,096
Referee: M. Breeze

Round 10


More information Newcastle United, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,651
Referee: C. Zetter

More information Brisbane Strikers, 4 – 2 ...
Attendance: 2,170
Referee: C. Diomis

More information Football Kingz, 3 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,410
Referee: D. Rugg

More information Northern Spirit, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,371
Referee: B. Hugo

More information Wollongong Wolves, 2 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,879
Referee: P. Green

More information South Melbourne, 2 – 1 ...
Attendance: 8,359
Referee: S. Micallef

Round 11


More information Adelaide United, 2 – 2 ...
Attendance: 9,528
Referee: P. Mur

More information Newcastle United, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,976
Referee: S. Micallef

More information Parramatta Power, 3 – 0 ...
Attendance: 3,123
Referee: B. Williams

More information Brisbane Strikers, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,354
Referee: S. Pryzdacz

More information South Melbourne, 6 – 0 ...
Attendance: 5,005
Referee: C. Diomis

More information Sydney United, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 4,132
Referee: E. Lennie

Round 12


More information Wollongong Wolves, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,130
Referee: C. Zetter

More information Football Kingz, 1 – 3 ...
Attendance: 1,121
Referee: P. Green

More information Sydney Olympic, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 3,203
Referee: D. Rugg

More information Melbourne Knights, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,673
Referee: E. Lennie

More information Northern Spirit, 3 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,859
Referee: A. Nardi

More information Perth Glory, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 6,801
Referee: M. Breeze

Round 13


More information Newcastle United, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 3,513
Referee: S. Przydacz

More information Adelaide United, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 9,159
Referee: C. Zetter

More information Brisbane Strikers, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,336
Referee: P. Green

More information Marconi Stallions, 0 – 2 ...
Attendance: 1,851
Referee: B. Hugo

More information South Melbourne, 4 – 2 ...
Attendance: 4,125
Referee: P. Mur

More information Sydney United, 3 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,876
Referee: C. Diomis

Round 14


More information Newcastle United, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 1,433
Referee: B. Williams

More information Brisbane Strikers, 3 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,137
Referee: A. Nardi

More information Marconi Stallions, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,650
Referee: D. Rugg

More information Sydney United, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 3,002
Referee: S. Przydacz

More information Adelaide United, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 11,153
Referee: E. Lennie

More information South Melbourne, 2 – 1 ...
Attendance: 10,005
Referee: B. Hugo

Round 15


More information Football Kingz, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,054
Referee: J. Lewis

More information Wollongong Wolves, 3 – 3 ...
Attendance: 2,302
Referee: S. Micallef

More information Parramatta Power, 1 – 2 ...
Attendance: 1,967
Referee: A. Nardi

More information Sydney Olympic, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,690
Referee: C. Diomis

More information Melbourne Knights, 0 – 2 ...
Attendance: 3,693
Referee: M. Shield

More information Northern Spirit, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,935
Referee: E. Lennie

Round 16


More information Perth Glory, 6 – 1 ...
Attendance: 12,142
Referee: E. Lennie

More information South Melbourne, 2 – 3 ...
Attendance: 6,780
Referee: B. Williams

More information Sydney Olympic, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,484
Referee: M. Shield

More information Football Kingz, 1 – 2 ...
Attendance: 1,176
Referee: C. Zetter

More information Newcastle United, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 3,084
Referee: B. Hugo

More information Adelaide United, 2 – 1 ...
Attendance: 13,032
Referee: S. Micallef

Round 17


More information Parramatta Power, 4 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,736
Referee: B. Williams

More information Brisbane Strikers, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 3,417
Referee: M. Shield

More information Perth Glory, 4 – 0 ...
Attendance: 9,856
Referee: C. Diomis

More information Sydney United, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 3,462
Referee: M. Breeze

More information Wollongong Wolves, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 3,211
Referee: N. Rice

More information Northern Spirit, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,115
Referee: S. Przydacz

Round 18


More information Newcastle United, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,231
Referee: P. Green

More information Parramatta Power, 5 – 1 ...
Attendance: 3,105
Referee: M. Breeze

More information Melbourne Knights, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 1,516
Referee: C. Zetter

More information Brisbane Strikers, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 3,298
Referee: P. Mur

More information Perth Glory, 3 – 2 ...
Attendance: 7,996
Referee: E. Lennie

More information Marconi Stallions, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,433
Referee: C. Diomis

Round 19


More information Perth Glory, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 9,005
Referee: A. Nardi

More information Football Kingz, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,175
Referee: D. Rugg

More information Northern Spirit, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 1,496
Referee: J. Lewis

More information Adelaide United, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 14,280
Referee: P. Green

More information South Melbourne, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 5,750
Referee: E. Lennie

More information Parramatta Power, 2 – 2 ...
Attendance: 2,234
Referee: M. Breeze

Round 20


More information Newcastle United, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,181
Referee: P. Green

More information Wollongong Wolves, 4 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,855
Referee: J. Lewis

More information Perth Glory, 4 – 1 ...
Attendance: 12,624
Referee: E. Lennie

More information Sydney United, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,065
Referee: M. Breeze

More information Melbourne Knights, 1 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,173
Referee: P. Mur

More information Marconi Stallions, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 1,277
Referee: M. Shield

Round 21


More information Sydney Olympic, 5 – 2 ...
Attendance: 2,369
Referee: C. Zetter

More information Melbourne Knights, 1 – 3 ...
Attendance: 1,868
Referee: P. Green

More information South Melbourne, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 11,642
Referee: M. Breeze

More information Brisbane Strikers, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 1,617
Referee: M. Shield

More information Adelaide United, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 13,690
Referee: S. Micallef

More information Northern Spirit, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 1,061
Referee: C. Zetter

Round 22


More information Perth Glory, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 9,711
Referee: A. Nardi

More information South Melbourne, 4 – 0 ...
Attendance: 8,120
Referee: M. Shield

More information Football Kingz, 2 – 4 ...
Attendance: 1,013
Referee: N. Rice

More information Parramatta Power, 4 – 3 ...
Attendance: 2,237
Referee: E. Lennie

More information Sydney United, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,276
Referee: P. Mur

More information Brisbane Strikers, 0 – 2 ...
Attendance: 2,257
Referee: S. Micallef

Round 23


More information Adelaide United, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 12,463
Referee: E. Lennie

More information Perth Glory, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 9,233
Referee: M. Shield

More information Marconi Stallions, 2 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,740
Referee: B. Williams

More information Sydney United, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 1,964
Referee: S. Micallef

More information Sydney Olympic, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,685
Referee: D. Rugg

More information Parramatta Power, 3 – 2 ...
Attendance: 1,873
Referee: M. Breeze

Round 24


More information Wollongong Wolves, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 3,010
Referee: P. Green

More information Perth Glory, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 8,678
Referee: C. Zetter

More information Football Kingz, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 892
Referee: P. O'Leary

More information Marconi Stallions, 3 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,579
Referee: S. Micallef

More information Northern Spirit, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 1,106
Referee: J. Lewis

More information Melbourne Knights, 2 – 0 ...
Attendance: 2,469
Referee: C. Diomis

Round 25


More information Adelaide United, 1 – 0 ...
Attendance: 12,312
Referee: M. Shield

More information Newcastle United, 0 – 2 ...
Attendance: 3,263
Referee: J. Lewis

More information Parramatta Power, 3 – 2 ...
Attendance: 2,832
Referee: M. Shield

More information Brisbane Strikers, 0 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,824
Referee: E. Lennie

More information Sydney United, 2 – 4 ...
Attendance: 3,039
Referee: C. Diomis

More information South Melbourne, 1 – 2 ...
Attendance: 5,250
Referee: B. Williams

Round 26


More information Perth Glory, 2 – 2 ...
Attendance: 10,458
Referee: E. Lennie

More information Football Kingz, 4 – 3 ...
Attendance: 950
Referee: D. Rugg

More information Northern Spirit, 2 – 1 ...
Attendance: 2,009
Referee: M. Breeze

More information Sydney Olympic, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 3,682
Referee: S. Micallef

More information Melbourne Knights, 0 – 0 ...
Attendance: 8,423
Referee: A. Nardi

More information Wollongong Wolves, 3 – 0 ...
Attendance: 3,531
Referee: P. Green
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Finals

Summarize
Perspective

Bracket

Elimination FinalsMajor/Minor semi-finalsPreliminary FinalGrand Final
4 April 2004
2Parramatta Power426Parramatta Power0
1Perth Glory202Perth Glory (a.e.t.)1
1Perth Glory5
3Adelaide United (a)314
3Adelaide United0
6Brisbane Strikers044
3Adelaide United (a.e.t.)2
5South Melbourne1
4Marconi Stallions000
5South Melbourne022

Elimination Final 1 (3rd v 6th)


More information Adelaide United, 3–0 ...
Attendance: 16,258
Referee: Williams

More information Brisbane Strikers, 4–1 ...
Attendance: 2,790
Referee: Breeze
  • Adelaide United progress on away goals rule (4–4 on aggregate)

Elimination Final 2 (4th v 5th)


More information Marconi Stallions, 0–0 ...
Attendance: 2,127
Referee: Lennie

More information South Melbourne, 2–0 ...
Attendance: 6,063
Referee: Shield
  • South Melbourne progress 2–0 on aggregate

Major semi Final (1st v 2nd)


More information Parramatta Power, 4–2 ...
Attendance: 6,059
Referee: Micallef

More information Perth Glory, 0–2 ...
Attendance: 14,023
Referee: Breeze
  • Parramatta Power progress 6–2 on aggregate

Minor semi Final


More information Adelaide United, 2–1 (a.e.t.) ...
Attendance: 16,558
Referee: Micallef

Preliminary Final


More information Perth Glory, 5–0 ...
Attendance: 17,524
Referee: Shield

Grand Final


More information Parramatta Power, 0 – 1 (a.e.t.) ...
Attendance: 9,630
Referee: Mark Shield
PARRAMATTA POWER:
GK1Australia Clint Bolton
DF3Australia Alvin Ceccoli (c)
DF4Australia Simon Colosimo
DF5Australia Michael Beauchamp
FW7Australia Travis Dodd
MF8Germany Andre GumprechtYellow card 86'
FW9Australia Ante Milicicdownward-facing red arrow 68'
DF13Australia Paul O'Grady
FW14Australia Sasho Petrovski
FW21Australia Ahmad Elrich
MF22Australia Peter Zorbasdownward-facing red arrow 97'
Substitutes:
GK20Australia Daniel Beltrame
MF6Australia Matt Thompsonupward-facing green arrow 97'
MF10Brazil Fernando Rechupward-facing green arrow 68'
MF11Australia Lucas Pantelis
DF16Australia Jacek Sobczyk
Manager:
Australia Nick Theodorakopoulos


Joe Marston Medal: Australia Ahmad Elrich

Assistant Referees:
Fourth Official:

PERTH GLORY:
GK1Australia Jason Petkovic
DF3Australia Matthew Bingley
DF5Australia Shaun Murphy (c)
FW10Australia Bobby Despotovskidownward-facing red arrow 82'
MF11Australia Jade North
DF12Australia Mark ByrnesYellow card 62'
MF15Australia Tom Pondeljak
FW16Australia Damian Mori
DF19Australia Jamie Harnwell
FW21Australia Adrian Caceres
DF24Australia Jamie Coynedownward-facing red arrow 95'
Substitutes:
GK20Australia Vince Matassa
MF4Australia Bradley Hassellupward-facing green arrow 95'
MF6Australia Wayne Srhoj
MF8Australia Anthony Danze
FW9Australia Nik Mrdjaupward-facing green arrow 82'
Manager:
England Mich d'Avray
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