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Queensland consolidated third place on the A-League ladder with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Central Coast at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night.
A double from Dutchman Sergio van Dijk and a classy finish from the impressive Tahj Minniecon put Frank Farina’s side in control, before Pedj Bojic’s own goal sealed the points for the visitors, who maintained their unbeaten record in Gosford.
A late strike from Matt Simon – his second goal of the game – made it a nervous final 10 minutes for the Roar but they managed to hold off a late charge from the hosts.
Minniecon, who will join Gold Coast United next season, was in irresistible form all night with a virtuoso display full of pace and guile and gave the normally-reliable Mariners fullback Dean Heffernan a torrid time.
It was the Mariners who drew first blood after six minutes when Dylan Macallister and Simon combined well to set up veteran striker Nik Mrjda, who swept the ball past Griffin McMaster from close range.
The hosts could have doubled their advantage when Simon latched onto a Macallister flick-on and chipped the ball over the advancing McMaster, only to see his effort drop on the wrong side of the post.
Despite their early setback, Queensland looked the better side and were unlucky not to restore parity when Luke DeVere hit the bar with a header after the Mariners defence failed to clear a corner.
Frank Farina’s side finally got back on level terms after Matt McKay robbed Heffernan of possession and rolled the ball into the path of Minniecon, whose ball behind the Mariners defence was met by the unmarked van Dijk to sidefoot home.
The Roar then extended their lead early in the second half when McKay’s speculative cross caught out the hesitant Vukovic and van Dijk nodded the ball over the former Olyroo to stun the home crowd.
However, they didn’t have to wait long for something to celebrate when the impressive Simon latched onto a hopeful ball from Heffernan.
McMaster, deputising for the injured Liam Reddy, completely misjudged the bounce, allowing Simon to nip in behind him and prod the ball into the empty net.
With both teams really going for the jugular, it was the Roar who grasped the initiative when Minniecon produced an exquisite touch, held off two defenders and beat Vukovic with a super strike from just inside of the box.
Minniecon was in the thick of it again on 72 minutes with and played a huge role in his side’s winning strike when his goalbound effort was turned into his own net by the unlucky Bojic.
Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna rued his side’s defensive frailties, but said he is still confident they can book a finals spot.
“You can’t give away at least three of the goals we did,” McKinna said.
“I gave the boys credit last week saying they have been outstanding for the last five weeks … but tonight we never defended as a team and a few decisions went wrong so defensively I am not happy.” Queensland coach Frank Farina said he was delighted with the professionalism shown by Minniecon, who this week agreed to sign for the new Gold Coast United team.
“I thought Michael Zullo and Minniecon were outstanding and Tahj was man of the match tonight, he showed his professionalism as he knows he is on the move next year,” Farina said.
“I said to him last week to put it in during training and during games and he has done that.”
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