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Injury has got the jump on a fired-up Central Coast and put the boot into Queensland Roar’s A-League finals plans.
Central Coast have vowed to hunt in packs with up to “four people kicking one person” in a desperate bid to overcome Queensland’s 2-0 minor semi-final first leg victory at Gosford last Friday night.
With the Mariners’ threats still ringing in their ears, the Roar suffered a body blow when exciting winger Tahj Minniecon (hip flexor) was ruled out of the second leg at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roar were already reeling due to a horror build-up for the crucial clash, losing veteran defender Josh McCloughan (groin) this week for the rest of the season.
And the last few days have been dominated by former Socceroo Danny Tiatto’s one game ban for a red card in the first leg – and suspended one game ban for his reaction to receiving his marching orders.
To boot, Roar captain Craig Moore won’t arrive for the crunch clash until Friday morning due to Socceroos duty in Japan.
“On top of losing three starting players, Craig is not arriving until tomorrow morning – this is a big test for us,” Farina said.
“We can’t afford any complacency and there won’t be.
“They’ve come from behind on numerous occasions and that’s the sort of team they are – they never give up.
“They are going to come here and throw everything at us.”
Since starring in last month’s 4-3 regular season win over Central Coast, Minniecon has been hampered by a lingering back injury which has triggered the hip flexor complaint.
Minniecon – who turns 20 on Friday – “tweaked” it again and failed to train on Thursday morning.
Contenders for Minniecon’s spot include Isaka Cernak, Tommy Oar and Robbie Kruse.
Farina said Minniecon would only miss one match – but Central Coast are determined to ensure the Roar won’t play again this season.
The Mariners need to score at least three goals to advance past the red-hot Roar, who have won six and drawn one of their last eight matches.
And Central Coast are clearly not afraid to get down and dirty in order to do it.
Not that the Roar are fazed.
“If a team says they are going to come up and kick the proverbial out of us, we don’t mind,” Farina said.
“We will play our normal game and I am sure the referee will handle it accordingly as well.
“Even our players of smaller stature like Massimo Murdocca and Matt McKay, they won’t take a backward step.”
Central Coast know how to pull off a great escape.
They came back from 2-0 down after the opening leg of last season’s major semi-final against Newcastle to win the return clash 3-0 and be the first team into the grand final.
And they have already beaten Queensland 4-2 at Suncorp Stadium this season – a scoreline that would qualify the Mariners for the preliminary final on the away goals rule.
The winner of the minor semi-final will meet the loser of the Melbourne-Adelaide major semi-final in the preliminary final.
FRIDAY (Minor semi-final, second leg. Queensland lead 2-0)
QUEENSLAND ROAR v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS at Suncorp Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: Central Coast 2, Queensland Roar 5, Drawn 6.
Last meeting: Queensland Roar 2 bt Central Coast Mariners 0 at Bluetongue Stadium, finals wk 1, Feb 2009.
TAB Sportsbet: Queensland $1.80, Draw $3.70, Central Coast $3.80Currently riding their longest ever A-League losing streak of four matches, the Mariners face a gigantic task in turning around both their form and the 2-0 deficit in this minor semi-final. Traditionally, they’ve been a team that thrives on having their backs to the wall but they haven’t really shown enough in recent weeks to suggest they can get out of jail this time. The timing of Central Coast’s losing streak and the departure of Mile Jedinak is no coincidence. They are missing his physicality and goal-scoring ability and desperately need someone to step up in his absence. The Roar, on the other hand, have looked the real deal over the past two months and coach Frank Farina has promised not to take the foot off the pedal by trying to protect the first-leg lead. The Roar’s build-up to the match has been less than ideal however, with Tahj Minniecon and Josh McCloughan ruled out through injury and Craig Moore not due to return from Socceroos duty until the morning of the match.
Key: An early goal either way will be definitive. The Mariners can really put the pressure on Queensland if they sneak one but if the Roar score first, it’s season over for Central Coast.
Tip: Queensland
SATURDAY (Major semi-final, second leg. Melbourne lead 2-0)
MELBOURNE VICTORY v ADELAIDE UNITED at Telstra Dome, 7.30pm
Head to head: Adelaide United 5, Melbourne Victory 8, Drawn 3.
Last meeting: Melbourne Victory 2 bt Adelaide United 0 at Hindmarsh Stadium, finals wk 1, Feb 2009.
TAB Sportsbet: Melbourne Victory $1.75, Draw $3.70, Adelaide United $4The fact Adelaide just can’t beat Melbourne this season has to be seriously playing on their minds. Despite their success in the Asian Champions League and dominating the A-League for most of the season, the Reds have lost all four clashes between the sides this campaign. Given that, it would take something special for them to overturn a 2-0 deficit, especially in front of an expected crowd of around 40,000 at the Telstra Dome. It would be foolish to completely write off Aurelio Vidmar’s side, however, and regardless of the result they will want a strong showing ahead of a likely preliminary final appearance next weekend. Brazilians Cassio, Alemao, Cristiano and new signing Rostyn Griffiths will be pushing for starting berths with Vidmar having to re-think his formation if Adelaide are any chance of dismantling the sturdy central defence of Kevin Muscat and Roddy Vargas, which has kept a clean sheet for the past three games.
Key: With the Victory’s attacking trio of Carlos Hernandez, Archie Thompson and Danny Allsopp in such fine touch at the moment, it’s hard to see Adelaide keeping them scoreless.
Tip: Melbourne
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