Sydney FC 0 Queensland Roar 0 (Minor semi-final, first leg)
Th game was a disappointment - as was the scoreline and the crowd of under 24,000. However, unlike the attendance, the result was somewhat expected. These two sides have now gone four games for only one goal; at least there’ll be some goalmouth action in the second leg, even if it is a penalty shootout.

Neither side really had any dominance on a poor pitch, although Queensland did shade the possession. Both teams seemed keen only to avoid conceding and head to the second leg to decide it with both defenders swarming on whoever had the ball close to goal.

Alex Brosque had the best chance of the game, getting through one-on-one with Queensland keeper Griffin McMaster before embarrassingly shooting high and wide - very much the story of his night. Neither side looked overly convincing and the second leg is bound to be a tight affair.

Newcastle Jets 2 Central Coast Mariners 0  (Major semi-final, first leg)
The major semi-final was a completely different story. It had everything - goals, passion and controversy. Newcastle could count themselves lucky to get a win, let alone two goals. Even their coach commented that “the football gods” were smiling on Newcastle.

'John Aloisi's missed penalty began a night of frustration for him. Just before half time he hit the bar and moments later stuck the ball in the back of the net only to find the linesman’s flag raised'

The Mariners completely dominated the opening 20 minutes with Saso Petrovski unlucky not to score and then, in the 22nd minute, Adam Griffiths put the Jets ahead. John Aloisi missed a penalty shortly afterwards, beginning a night of frustration for him. Just before half time he hit the bar and moments later stuck the ball in the back of the net only to find the linesman’s flag raised. Aloisi looked clearly on-side even without the assistance of a replay; however the decision stood, the goal was disallowed - and Aloisi was eventually  cautioned for dissent.

The second half was a very tight affair, with the Mariners having much of the possession and Newcastle sitting deep. Newcastle's second goal came ten minutes from time after Andre Gumprecht had some slight contact on James Holland. The Jets player exaggerated the contact and the referee pointed to the spot, a correct decision despite the enhancement from Holland. Joel Griffiths duly scored from the spot.