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Pre season cup

It starts on 14th July and runs through to the 28th July,all 8 teams are involved which is split into 2 groups of 4 with each team playing each other once,then when all games have been played all 8 teams go into the playoffs.The following points will be awarded to each team on there performance in the group stage:

A. win = 3 points
B. Draw = 1 point
C. Lose = 0 points

Bonus points:

During the Group Phase, a goal related bonus points system will be introduced as follows:

A. 2 goals scored by a team 1 bonus point

B. 3 goals scored by a team 2 bonus points

C. 4 or more goals scored by a team 3 bonus points

2.6 Bonus points apply to both teams win, lose or draw.

Procedures to Determine Group Placings

In each Group, teams are ranked from one (1) through to four (4), with all teams progressing to the Playoff Phase. The position of each team in the Group will be determined based on the following criteria:

A. highest number of points accumulated in the Group Phase.

If two (2) or more teams are level on points accumulated, the following criteria shall be applied, in order, until one (1) of the teams can be determined as the higher ranked:

A. highest goal difference.

D. highest number of goals scored.

C. result of the match played between the teams concerned.

D. highest number of bonus points accumulated.

E. lowest number of red cards accumulated.

F. lowest number of yellow cards accumulated.

G. toss of a coin.

Competition Format – Play-off Phase

Teams will be placed in the Play-off phase as follows:

A. winner Group A v runner-up Group B (Match A)

B. runner-up Group A v winner Group B (Match B)

C. 3rd place Group A v 4th place Group B (Match C)

D. 4th place Group A v 3rd place Group B (Match D)

Home ground advantage will be given to the teams who finish first (1st) and third (3rd) in their respective groups, subject to the availability of the home venue at the nominated time and date.

Competition Format – Finals Phase.

All teams will then play-off during the Finals Phase for positions one (1) through to eight (8) as follows, based on the results of the Play-off matches:

A. winner Match A v winner Match B play-off for 1st and 2nd place

B. loser Match A v loser Match B play-off for 3rd and 4th place

C. winner Match C v winner Match D play-off for 5th and 6th place

D. loser Match C v loser Match D play-off for 7th and 8th place

The venue for the Final will be determined based on the following criteria:

A. the team that finished highest in their group after the Group Phase.

If two (2) teams had the same placing in their respective groups, the following criteria shall be applied, in order, until the ‘host club’ for the Final can be determined:

A. highest number of points accumulated in the Group Phase;

B. highest goal difference in the Group Phase;

C. highest number of goals scored in the Group Phase;

D. highest number of Bonus Points;

E. lowest number of red cards accumulated in the Group Phase;

f. lowest number of yellow cards accumulated in the Group Phase;

G. toss of a coin.

HYUNDAI A-LEAGUE SEASON

The Hyundai A-League Season will consist of a Regular Season and a Finals Series featuring the top four (4) teams from the Regular Season, the winner of which will be crowned Hyundai A-League Champions.

Competition Format – Regular Season

The Hyundai A-League Regular Season will be played over twenty-one (21) home and away rounds with each team playing each other three (3) times.

The following points will be awarded for matches during the Regular Season:

A. win = 3 points
B. draw = 1 point
C. loss = 0 points

Procedures to Determine Placings after Regular Season

At the completion of the Regular Season teams are ranked from one (1) through to eight (8), with the first four (4) teams progressing to the Finals Series. The position of each team will be determined based on the following criteria:

A. highest number of points accumulated during the Regular Season.

If two (2) or more teams are level on points accumulated, the following criteria shall be applied, in order, until one (1) of the teams can be determined as the higher ranked:

A. highest goal difference.

B. highest number of goals scored.

C. highest number of points accumulated in matches between the teams concerned.

d. highest goal difference in matches between the teams concerned.

E. highest number of goals scored in matches between the teams concerned.

F. lowest number of red cards accumulated.

G. lowest number of yellow cards accumulated.

H. toss of a coin.

Competition Format – Hyundai A-League Finals Series

The top four (4) teams at the conclusion of the Regular Season will progress to the Hyundai A-League Finals Series. The Hyundai A-League Finals Series format will be as follows:

A. Hyundai A-League Major Semi Finals (matches A1 & A2) – To be played 25-27 January (1st Leg) and 8-10 February (2nd Leg). Will feature teams that finished 1st and 2nd at the conclusion of the Regular Season.

B. Hyundai A-League Minor Semi Finals (matches B1 & B2) - To be played 25-27 January (1st Leg) and 8-10 February (2nd Leg). Will feature teams that finished 3rd and 4th at the conclusion of the Regular Season. The loser is eliminated.

***Please note: There is break in the finals due to Australia's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Qatar on February 6 in Melbourne.

C. Hyundai A-League Preliminary Final (match C) – To be played 17 February between Loser A1-2 and Winner B1-2. The loser is eliminated.

D. Hyundai A-League Grand Final (match D) – To be played 24 February between Winner A1-2 and Winner C.

Hyundai A-League Finals Series – Home Ground Advantage

The teams who finish in first (1st) and third (3rd) positions at the conclusion of the Regular Season will have the option to play the first (1st) leg of their Hyundai A-League Semi Finals either at home or away.

The loser of the Hyundai A-League Major Semi Final (A1-2), will be entitled to host the Hyundai A-League Preliminary Final, subject to venue availability.

The winner of the Major Semi Final (A1-2), will have the option to host the Hyundai A-League Grand Final, subject to venue availability.

The selection of venues for Hyundai A-League Finals Series matches will occur in consultation with the Hyundai A-League.

The team who wins the Hyundai A-League Grand Final will become the Hyundai A-League Champions.

Procedures to Determine the Winner of Matches in the Hyundai A-League Finals Series

Semi Finals

Both the Hyundai A-League Major Semi Final and the Hyundai A-League Minor Semi Final will be conducted over two (2) legs (home and away).

The following criteria will be applied until one (1) team can be determined as the winner:

a. highest aggregate of goals scored over the two (2) legs;

b. highest number of away goals scored (away goals rule) over the two (2) legs;

If the winning team cannot be decided based on the above criteria, then the following will occur immediately after the conclusion of the second (2nd) leg:

a. extra time of two (2) equal periods of fifteen (15) minutes will be played in accordance with FIFA Law 8;

If at the conclusion of both periods of extra time:

a. no goals are scored – penalty kicks will be taken in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game;

b. both teams score the same number of goals – the away team will advance under the away goals rule.

Hyundai A-League Preliminary Final & Hyundai A-League Grand Final

If, at the conclusion of the Preliminary Final or Grand Final, the scores between the two (2) teams are tied, then extra time of two (2) equal periods of fifteen (15) minutes will be played. The conditions of FIFA Law 8 will apply.

If scores remain equal at the conclusion of both periods of extra time, penalty kicks will be taken in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game, to determine the winner of the match.

SUBSTITUTION RULES

For all matches played during the 2007 Pre-Season Cup and the Hyundai A-League, a maximum of four (4) Players may be selected as substitutes on the ‘Starting List’ including one (1) nominated goalkeeper.

For all matches played during the Hyundai A-League Finals Series, a maximum of five (5) Players may be selected as substitutes on the ‘Starting List’, including one (1) nominated goalkeeper.

Player's numbered 1 and 20 are recognized as goalkeepers unless otherwise indicated where an outfield player ore replacement goalkeeper is nominated.

For all matches played during the 2007 Pre-Season Cup, up to a maximum of four (4) players (including a goalkeeper) may be replaced at any time during a match, up until the conclusion of normal playing time or extra time, if played.

For all matches played during the Hyundai A-League Season and the Hyundai A-League Finals Series, up to a maximum of three (3) Players (including a goalkeeper) may be replaced at any time during a match, up until the conclusion of normal playing time or extra time, if played.

The nominated substitute goalkeeper may only take the field in place of the starting goalkeeper, and play as a goalkeeper.