The Mariners went down to Brisbane in penalties in last season’s grand final
The Perth Glory will take on defending champions Brisbane Roar in the A League grand final after defeating Central Coast in a penalty shootout on Saturday.
In a scrappy match, the Mariners opened the scoring in the 33rd minute through Adam Kwasnik, but conceded in controversial fashion just a minute later.
Shane Smeltz equalised through a simple tap-in from a Billy Mehmet cross, but Mehmet appeared to be in an offside position in the lead-up to the goal.
The Mariners also missed a golden chance to reach the grand final when defender Patrick Zwaanswijk missed a second-half penalty, which would have set up a rematch of last year’s decider.
Both teams started the shootout in confident fashion, but with Perth leading 4-3 Mariners player and New Zealand international Michael McGlinchey put his spot kick high over the bar.
Perth skipper Jacob Burns stepped up and calmly netted the winner to send the Glory into their first A League decider.
The result provided more heartache for the Mariners, who went down to Brisbane in penalties in last season’s grand final.
©2011 AFP