Patafta and Ontong( and Mark Bosnich?) to light up Canberra

A-League Grand Final Rematch for Canberra. With Mark Bosnich rumoured to be joining the Mariners we might even get to see the former Man United keeper back in goal:)

Capital Football release below.


Professional football will return to the ACT for another year with the 2007/08 Hyundai A-League champions, Newcastle Jets, taking on local favourites, Central Coast Mariners, at Canberra Stadium on Saturday July 12.
Canberra will be treated to a grand final rematch when the F3 derby moves south to the national capital as both sides look to build towards another successful football season and subsequent Asian Champions league.

Capital Football CEO, Heather Reid, and ACT Minister of Sport, Andrew Barr, were on hand at Ticketek Civic to make the exciting announcement that Canberra will again be hosting elite football for the third year running.

“We’re absolutely delighted that they’re [Central Coast Mariners] coming back for a game; with them playing the Newcastle Jets we’re getting the 07/08 Grand Final rematch,” Reid said.

Both A-League sides have special bonds with Canberra. Newcastle took on Sydney FC in the inaugural pre-season match three years ago but more recently have signed two local rising stars, Kaz Patafta and Shaun Ontong.

The Mariners have their own connection with the ACT through formal partnerships with Premier League club, Belconnen United, and Capital Football which sees the navy and yellow squad make numerous trips south for matches and seminars.

2008 McDonalds Kanga Cup participants will be offered free entry into the match upon display of their identification tags at the game while the price of admission for adults and concessions are nearly half from last year.

Reid’s hoping that the timing of the fixture will see a large crowd roll up for the match courtesy of the special deal for the tournament participants and the great rivalry building between the two NSW based clubs.

“We’re aiming to get a crowd over 7,000 this time because we’re tying it in with the culmination of the McDonalds Kanga Cup on the Friday. With at least three thousand participating in the youth tournament we’re hoping they’ll come and watch the match,” a confident Reid said.

This latest announcement further adds to the ACT’s ‘Festival of Football’ taking place over the course of a month when the Central Coast Mariners return for their annual fixture against Belconnen United followed by a hit out against the ACT Rockets later this month.

Tickets are now on sale from Ticketek outlets, online (www.ticketek.com.au) or by phone 13 28 49.

Event Details:
Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets
Saturday, July 12 2008
Canberra Stadium- Kick off: 1:00pm