National Soccer League 2003-04
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The National Soccer League 2003-04 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.
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.
Contents |
[edit] League Table
| Team | Played | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perth Glory | 24 | 57 |
| 2 | Parramatta Power | 24 | 51 |
| 3 | Adelaide United | 24 | 40 |
| 4 | Marconi Stallions | 24 | 38 |
| 5 | South Melbourne | 24 | 37 |
| 6 | Brisbane Strikers | 24 | 32 |
| 7 | Northern Spirit | 24 | 30 |
| 8 | Sydney Olympic | 24 | 29 |
| 9 | Wollongong Wolves | 24 | 29 |
| 10 | Sydney United | 24 | 29 |
| 11 | Newcastle United | 24 | 24 |
| 12 | Melbourne Knights | 24 | 23 |
| 13 | Football Kingz | 24 | 15 |
[edit] Finals
Elimination Final 1 (3rd v 6th)
| 1st Leg 7 March 2004 |
Adelaide United | 3–0 | Brisbane Strikers | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide Attendance: 16,258 Referee: Williams |
Veart  31'Agius 67'Brooks 92' |
(Report) |
| 2nd Leg 13 March 2004 |
Brisbane Strikers | 4–1 | Adelaide United | Perry Park, Brisbane Attendance: 2,790 Referee: Breeze |
| Moon 45' Rose 58'Brain 82'Grierson 87' |
(Report) | Veart 65' |
- Adelaide United progress on away goals rule (4-4 on aggregate)
Elimination Final 2 (4th v 5th)
| 1st Leg 7 March 2004 |
Marconi Stallions | 0–0 | South Melbourne | Marconi Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 2,127 Referee: Lennie |
| (Report) |
| 2nd Leg 13 March 2004 |
South Melbourne | 2–0 | Marconi Stallions | Bob Jane Stadium, Melbourne Attendance: 6,063 Referee: Shield |
| Curcija 20', 60' |
(Report) |
- South Melbourne progress 2-0 on aggregate
Major Semi Final (1st v 2nd)
| 1st Leg 13 March 2004 |
Parramatta Power | 4–2 | Perth Glory | Parramatta Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 6,059 Referee: Micallef |
| Ceccoli 9' Petrovski 41'Zorbas 45'Milicic 75' |
(Report) | Despotovski 46' Harnwell 56 56' |
| 2nd Leg 20 March 2004 |
Perth Glory | 0–2 | Parramatta Power | Members Equity Stadium Perth Attendance: 14,023 Referee: Breeze |
| (Report | Elrich 15' Petrovski 65' |
- Parramatta Power progress 6-2 on aggregate
Minor Semi Final
| 20 March 2004 | Adelaide United | 2–1 aet |
South Melbourne | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide Attendance: 16,558 Referee: Micallef |
| Aloisi 71' Alagich 105' (pen) |
(Report | Curcija 12' |
Preliminary Final
| 28 March 2004 | Perth Glory | 5–0 | Adelaide United | Subiaco Oval, Perth Attendance: 17,524 Referee: Shield |
| Despotovski 10', 81' Mori 51', 69'Mrdja 88' |
(Report) |
Grand Final
| 4 April 2004 | Parramatta Power | 0–1 aet |
Perth Glory | Parramatta Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 9,630 Referee: Shield |
| (Report) | Mrdja 98' |
[edit] Individual Awards
- Johnny Warren Medal (Player of the Year): Ante Milicic (Parramatta Power)
- U-21 Player of the Year: Alex Brosque (Marconi Stallions)
- Top Scorer(s): Ante Milicic (Parramatta Power – 20 goals)
