Newcastle triumphed 3-2 in the A-League semi-final over Queensland who were valiant in defeat. Sydney Football Stadium will host the 2007/08 A-League Grand Final - another Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle United Jets derby.

In an A-League Preliminary Final that had just about everything - including three dubious penalties and the sending off of Roar skipper Craig Moore for an elbow on Mark Bridge - the Jets booked their maiden berth in the Grand Final after scoring twice in extra time.

Newcastle won 3-2 against the Roar at EnergyAustralia Stadium after an exhausting 120 minutes, setting up a clash with bitter rivals Central Coast in the first all-NSW Grand Final at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.

But while epic, the match was overshadowed by the performance of Green, whose awarding of a soft penalty to Queensland in the 90th minute turned what had up to then been a largely incident-free game into perhaps the most dramatic of the season.

Reinaldo buried the penalty to cancel out Matt Thompson's 40th minute opener and send the game into extra-time at 1-1.

Another soft penalty - this time to the Jets - came 12 minutes into extra-time with Joel Griffiths giving the home side a 2-1 lead.

Tarek Elrich then looked to have put the matter beyond doubt with his goal early in the second half of extra time.

But Green again pointed to the spot with just two minutes remaining. Reinaldo converted to give the Roar some hope of another miracle, but it wasn't to be.

In between all the penalties, Moore was shown a straight red card after elbowing Bridge midway through the second half of extra-time.

While Roar coach Frank Farina believed his side perhaps deserved more, the Jets were worthy winners, and along with securing a maiden grand final berth, they also qualified for the 2009 Asian Champions League.

Jets coach Gary van Egmond was clearly upset about the Roar's first penalty which forced the game into extra time - and came just 10 minutes after Troy Hearfield was denied a second goal for a touch-and-go off-side call.

But with the game won, he had no complaints, and was just happy to praise his side's steely resolve in claiming victory in extra-time.

"I thought we were really good in extra time, we didn't sit back, we didn't want it to go to penalties, and you get your rewards out of football," said van Egmond, whose side lost on penalties to Adelaide United in last year's preliminary final.

"They've got a real steely edge about them and for them to come back tonight, the way they did it, proved how mentally strong they are.

"For them to come back and win the game is a real testament to their fortitude."

For the Roar, their players were left shattered after coming so close to a grand final berth a place in Asia.

"The guys are shattered," said defender Andrew Packer.

"I think we gave everything and the boys can be proud of the effort that we put in.

"It was just certain circumstances and decisions which didn't go our way.

"It's very disappointing. You put that much effort in ... but that's football."

Understandably, the referee was escorted off the ground by security. Green was handed the whistle for the game with both of the country's top two referees - Mark Shield and Matthew Breeze - unavailable due to FIFA commitments.

theworldgame.com.au