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The Central Coast Mariners enjoyed their first A-League win over Adelaide United on Sunday, 2-0 at Gosford, to close to just one point behind their second-ranked opponents on the ladder.
In what was a slow starting match, Mariners workhorse Matt Simon put the hosts in front in the 50th minute before Adelaide striker Sergio van Dijk scored an own goal in the 78th minute.
“That moment when they scored the second goal and it was an own goal. I knew in that moment that the game was over,” Reds coach Rini Coolen said post-match.
“So it’s real disappointing.
“It was not a terrific game. It was a flat game to be honest.
With Adelaide posting their third loss on the trot, the Dutch coach conceded they had a lot of work to do.
“I think we’re in a period now where things aren’t going too well, to be honest.
“So we have some problems and we have to work on them, that’s what we will do every day.”
The Mariners, in comparison, are unbeaten in their past four matches and looked the stronger side in their second of a five-game stretch at home.
And while the heat sapped the intensity out of the first stanza, it was a revved up Mariners outfit who took to the field in the second half looking to create chances early.
And it paid off with Simon finally breaking the deadlock for the hosts.
“It’s a good Christmas present for everyone,” coach Graham Arnold said.
“I think all the players suffered in the first half from the heat, the tempo wasn’t too high.
“But I think in the second half we came home much stronger and played much better
“I was very happy with the boys, they showed great character.”
The Mariners are now within a point of Adelaide and Arnold is looking to snatch second spot over the next few weeks.
“Look, we’re a point behind them now with two games in hand and we’ve got an other three games at home over New Years,” he said.
“When you work with these boys and every week they turn up ready to train and every game they turn up ready to play, you know you’re going to get 100 per cent out of them.
“So let’s go for it.”
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