Soccer: A-League match abandoned

Jason Culina of Gold Coast passes the ball during the round 19 A-League match against Central Coast Mariners. Photo / Getty Images

Play was abandoned in Gold Coast United's water-logged A-League soccer clash with Central Coast Mariners at Skilled Park last night due to player safety concerns.

The match was called off in the 20th minute with scores locked at 0-0 - and some fans still piling into the ground.

The game will be re-scheduled at a later date.

Mariners forward Adam Kwasnik had missed a penalty early in the match.

The stage had been set for a memorable day with United's billionaire owner Clive Palmer offering free entry for the game as a tribute to Frank Lowy and his World Cup bid team.

But heavy showers ensured it will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

More than 21,000 people had registered for the free tickets by Sunday but the rain killed off any hope of a 27,500 sell-out crowd arriving.

And the saturated pitch ensured play didn't last long as Football Federation Australia boss Ben Buckley looked on.

- AAP