1997 National Soccer League Grand Final

The 1997 National Soccer League Grand Final was held on 25 May 1997 between Brisbane Strikers and Sydney United at Lang Park. Brisbane gained home advantage because despite finishing below United on the league standings, they defeated the Sydney side in the major semi-final two weeks prior. The teams were all locked up at half time, however two goals for the Strikers by Frank Farina and Rod Brown secured their first NSL championship.[1][2][3] Alan Hunter won the Joe Marston Medal.

1997 National Soccer League Grand Final
Event1996–97 National Soccer League
Brisbane Strikers Sydney United
2 0
Date25 May 1997 (1997-05-25)
VenueLang Park, Brisbane, Australia
Man of the MatchAlan Hunter
(Joe Marston Medal)
RefereeSimon Micallef
Attendance40,446

Route to the final

League Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Sydney United 26 17 5 4 67 33 +34 56 1997 National Soccer League Finals
2 Brisbane Strikers (C) 26 15 2 9 55 40 +15 47 1996-97 National Soccer League Champions
3 South Melbourne 26 14 4 8 39 25 +14 46 1997 National Soccer League Finals
4 Adelaide City 26 11 10 5 32 22 +10 43
5 Marconi Stallions 26 12 4 10 41 37 +4 40
6 Melbourne Knights 26 11 6 9 36 32 +4 39
7 Perth Glory 26 11 5 10 48 41 +7 38
8 West Adelaide 26 10 3 13 39 51 −12 33
9 UTS Olympic 26 8 8 10 41 46 −5 32
10 Wollongong Wolves 26 8 8 10 42 48 −6 32
11 Newcastle Breakers 26 7 9 10 40 46 −6 30
12 Gippsland Falcons 26 8 6 12 33 41 −8 30
13 Collingwood Warriors (R) 26 6 9 11 32 44 −12 27 Disbanded at end of season
14 Canberra Cosmos 26 2 5 19 30 69 −39 11
Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion; (R) Relegated.

Finals Bracket
  Semifinals Wk1 Semifinals Wk2 Preliminary final Grand final
                               
  1  Sydney United  0 —  Sydney United  2 (2)    Sydney United  0
  2  Brisbane Strikers  1 —  Brisbane Strikers (a)  1 (2)              Brisbane Strikers  2
                               
                     Sydney United  1        
  3  South Melbourne  4 3 (7)              South Melbourne  0        
  6  Melbourne Knights  1 0 (1)                        
             South Melbourne  1                
             Adelaide City  0                
  4  Adelaide City  0 4 (4)                        
  5  Marconi Fairfield  3 0 (3)                        

Match

Details
Brisbane Strikers2 – 0Sydney United
Farina  47'
Brown  69'		 (report)
Attendance: 40,446
Referee: Simon Micallef

References
  1. "Australian National League" (PDF). Hyundai A-League season guide 2019–20: 322.
  2. "1997 National Soccer League Playoff results". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  3. Lutton, Phil (10 March 2011). "Strikers miracle to spur on Roar". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
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