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Melbourne Victory vs Central Coast Mariners: A-League live scores, blog

jcinque — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:19:13 +0000

Jim Magilton will be searching for his first A-League three points tonight when his Melbourne Victory take on Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park in a crucial encounter. Join us from 8.00pm for live scores and a blog of all the action.

Victory come into this match three points outside of the top six in eighth place on the ladder, having only taken four points – from four draws – in the five games Magilton has had at the helm.

With only seven matches remaining in their season, it is a huge game tonight.

If Victory manage to win they will momentarily at least move level with sixth-placed Newcastle with both the Jets and Heart looking over their shoulders.

Furthermore, taking a scalp like the Mariners is sure to give Victory players and fans some confidence in what has become an oft-criticised footballing system.

A loss on the other hand could end Melbourne’s season. Already sitting third from last, failing to take any points could be catastrophic for not only Melbourne’s bid for finals action but Jim Magilton’s chances of winning a new contract.

By virtue of a seven point lead at the top of the ladder (with a game in hand), the Mariners can treat this match completely different.

Coming off a loss against defending champions Brisbane Roar that broke a 15-match unbeaten streak, tonight is another opportunity for Graham Arnold to give more of his squad game time because Olyroos Mustafa Amini, Oli Bozanic and ‘keeper Matt Ryan are yet to return home.

Victory come into this match in less-than-average form. Their last three matches have resulted in below-par results stemming from below-par football being dished up on the pitch.

A 4-1 drubbing against Perth was followed with a midweek draw with bottom-placed Gold Coast United before another point was taken in a scoreless Melbourne Derby where most people adjudged Heart the better team.

Last week, Central Coast played good football against Brisbane Roar before going down 2-0. A lack of match practice, as well as playing without the Olyroos players, worked against the Mariners in the strongly-fought contest at Bluetongue.

Arnold claimed Central Coast’s momentum was halted after sitting out week 16 action due to the postponement of their match with Gold Coast two weeks ago.

Prior to that the Mariners weren’t playing outstanding football but were doing enough to keep their unbeaten streak alive.

Victory and Central Coast have met twice already this season. The first clash was a 0-0 draw on the Central Coast, although the Mariners, I thought, were slightly better than their opponents that night, while five weeks back, Victory succumbed 2-0 to Central Coast – a match that was also played at Gosford.

There are some injury concerns for Victory that could force a change in formation; at the very least personnel changes are required.

Grant Brebner is out with suspension as well as an ankle injury that is expected to keep him out for about month, while Adrian Leijer has succumbed to a shoulder injury that, according to Magilton, he had being playing with for about a month.

Harry Kewell also has a shoulder concern. A decision will have to be made as to whether he starts the match. He was substituted after 60 minutes in last week’s Derby.

Brebner is a defensive midfielder, while Leijer is a centre-back. It will be interesting to see how Magilton restructures a Victory defence that doesn’t have much depth.

Mark Milligan could slot into midfield to cover for Brebner but that will bring together a completely different central-defensive pairing.

Magilton’s midfield set-up has come under fire recently and perhaps replacing Brebner with Carlos Hernandez and switching to a midfield diamond could be the answer to Victory’s woes.

Spanish defender Ubay Luzardo could make his debut for Victory tonight.

Central Coast on the other hand, remains without Amini, Bozanic and Ryan and have lost Pedj Bojic and Troy Hearfield to injury. John Hutchinson returns from suspension but without five of his better players, Arnold would’ve had some headaches at match committee this week.

The Mariners are moving into their toughest part of the season; playing without their star Olyroos with the knowledge that the Asian Champions League is set to begin a couple of weeks after they return.

Central Coast has proven themselves to be the team to beat for the title but in the next month we are going to learn just how good they are.

Victory could hardly afford to lose anyone, let alone two defensive players but perhaps the injuries to Leijer and especially Brebner can help fix some of Melbourne’s midfield woes. The Mariners depth is going being tested big time.

They do have a good record against Victory but tonight just might be the night for Jim. I’m going with a 2-1 Victory win.

Is there anything left to salvage of the Victory’s season? Or will it be yet another case of one point gained, two points lost for Magilton tonight? It’s a cracking opening fixture for week 19 – we’ll have minute by minute commentary from 8.00pm AEDT, so if you’re following along, make sure your opinion is heard in the space below.

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Article link: Melbourne Victory vs Central Coast Mariners: A-League live scores, blog. Written by jcinque, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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