A-League: Difference between revisions
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The '''A-League''' is the premier domestic [[Australia]]n [[football (soccer)]] competition. Founded in 2004 and staging its [[A-League 2005-06|inaugural season]] in 2005–06, the league is contested by by seven teams covering Australia's major cities and regional centres, as well as one representing [[New Zealand]]. The team which finishes on top of the league table at the end of the 21-round regular season is awarded the Premiership, with the winner of the subsequent four-team finals series awarded the Championship. The current Premiers are | The '''A-League''' is the premier domestic [[Australia]]n [[football (soccer)]] competition. Founded in 2004 and staging its [[A-League 2005-06|inaugural season]] in 2005–06, the league is contested by by seven teams covering Australia's major cities and regional centres, as well as one representing [[New Zealand]]. The team which finishes on top of the league table at the end of the 21-round regular season is awarded the Premiership, with the winner of the subsequent four-team finals series awarded the Championship. The current Premiers and Champions are [[Melbourne Victory FC]], who won both titles in the [[A-League 2006-07|2006–07 season]]. | ||
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==Format== | ==Format== | ||
===Regular season=== | ===Regular season=== | ||
The regular season of the A-League is played mainly during the Australian [[summer]], from late [[August]] through to [[January]] of the following year. It is made up of 21 rounds, with each of the eight teams playing each of the others three times – twice at one team's home stadium and once at the other's. Teams which are allotted two home matches against a particular opponent in one season are then allotted a single home match against that opponent in the following season. The winner of each match is awarded three competition points, or in the case of a draw, the competing teams gain one point each. At the end of the 21 rounds the teams are ranked by the number of competition points they have accumulated over the course of the season. If two or more teams have an equal amount of points, they are then ranked based on [[goal difference]], total goals scored, head-to-head records between tying teams and finally on the number of [[Misconduct (football)|cards]] each team received.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=rules | title = Hyundai A-League > Rules | work = A-League.com.au | accessmonthday = November 3 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> The top-ranked club is awarded the title of "Premiers", and is entered into the following season's [[AFC Champions League]].<ref name="AFCCL">{{cite web | url = http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=3823 | title = Grand Final rematch to open HAL season | work = A-League.com.au|date = May 1, 2006 | accessmonthday = November 3 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> | The regular season of the A-League is played mainly during the Australian [[summer]], from late [[August]] through to [[January]] of the following year. It is made up of 21 rounds, with each of the eight teams playing each of the others three times – twice at one team's home stadium and once at the other's. Teams which are allotted two home matches against a particular opponent in one season are then allotted a single home match against that opponent in the following season. The winner of each match is awarded three competition points, or in the case of a draw, the competing teams gain one point each. At the end of the 21 rounds the teams are ranked by the number of competition points they have accumulated over the course of the season. If two or more teams have an equal amount of points, they are then ranked based on [[goal difference]], total goals scored, head-to-head records between tying teams and finally on the number of [[Misconduct (football)|cards]] each team received.<ref name="Rules">{{cite web | url = http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=rules | title = Hyundai A-League > Rules | work = A-League.com.au | accessmonthday = November 3 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> The top-ranked club is awarded the title of "Premiers", and is entered into the following season's [[AFC Champions League]].<ref name="AFCCL">{{cite web | url = http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=3823 | title = Grand Final rematch to open HAL season | work = A-League.com.au|date = May 1, 2006 | accessmonthday = November 3 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> | ||
===Finals series=== | ===Finals series=== | ||
The top four teams at the end of the regular season are then entered into a finals series to determine the Champions. The series is played under the [[McIntyre final four system]], with the top two teams playing off for a direct place in the Grand Final, whilst the third- and fourth-placed teams vie for a spot in the preliminary final against the loser of the major semi-final. The first round of matches are played over [[two-legged match|two legs]], with the winner determined by goals scored over the two matches, and then, if equal, the [[away goals rule]]. If no winner emerges via this method, the tie progresses to [[extra time]], and finally to a [[penalty shootout]].<ref name="Rules"/> The preliminary final is played at the home stadium of the losing team from the major semi-final, with the winning team progressing to the Grand Final. The winner of the Grand Final is declared "Champions", and gains qualification for the [[AFC Champions League]]. Where the same team wins both the Premiership and Championship, the Grand Final runner-up is awarded Australia's second position in the AFC Champions League.<ref name="AFCCL"/> | |||
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==Rules== | ==Rules== | ||
Revision as of 06:43, 23 February 2007
The A-League is the premier domestic Australian football (soccer) competition. Founded in 2004 and staging its inaugural season in 2005–06, the league is contested by by seven teams covering Australia's major cities and regional centres, as well as one representing New Zealand. The team which finishes on top of the league table at the end of the 21-round regular season is awarded the Premiership, with the winner of the subsequent four-team finals series awarded the Championship. The current Premiers and Champions are Melbourne Victory FC, who won both titles in the 2006–07 season.
Format
Regular season
The regular season of the A-League is played mainly during the Australian summer, from late August through to January of the following year. It is made up of 21 rounds, with each of the eight teams playing each of the others three times – twice at one team's home stadium and once at the other's. Teams which are allotted two home matches against a particular opponent in one season are then allotted a single home match against that opponent in the following season. The winner of each match is awarded three competition points, or in the case of a draw, the competing teams gain one point each. At the end of the 21 rounds the teams are ranked by the number of competition points they have accumulated over the course of the season. If two or more teams have an equal amount of points, they are then ranked based on goal difference, total goals scored, head-to-head records between tying teams and finally on the number of cards each team received.[1] The top-ranked club is awarded the title of "Premiers", and is entered into the following season's AFC Champions League.[2]
Finals series
The top four teams at the end of the regular season are then entered into a finals series to determine the Champions. The series is played under the McIntyre final four system, with the top two teams playing off for a direct place in the Grand Final, whilst the third- and fourth-placed teams vie for a spot in the preliminary final against the loser of the major semi-final. The first round of matches are played over two legs, with the winner determined by goals scored over the two matches, and then, if equal, the away goals rule. If no winner emerges via this method, the tie progresses to extra time, and finally to a penalty shootout.[1] The preliminary final is played at the home stadium of the losing team from the major semi-final, with the winning team progressing to the Grand Final. The winner of the Grand Final is declared "Champions", and gains qualification for the AFC Champions League. Where the same team wins both the Premiership and Championship, the Grand Final runner-up is awarded Australia's second position in the AFC Champions League.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hyundai A-League > Rules. A-League.com.au. Retrieved on November 3, 2006.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Grand Final rematch to open HAL season. A-League.com.au (May 1, 2006). Retrieved on November 3, 2006.