Central Coast Mariners will be looking to qualify for their first Asian Champions League finals series when they face Nagoya Grampus Eight tonight. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 8.00pm AEST.
Providing Tianjin doesn’t upset Seongnam Ilhwa tonight, the winner of tonight’s fixture in Japan will claim second spot and progress to the knockout phase of the Asian Champions League.
The two teams have met once before during the campaign where they played out a 1-all draw on March 21 in Gosford, in a match that the Mariners dominated and were unlucky not to win.
The Japanese side are short odd favourites to win tonight’s match at $1.50 while the away side, Central Coast Mariners are at $5.50, which is very generous considering the Mariners are fresh off a two week break after thumping Tianjin Teda 5-1 in Gosford.
Mariners coach Graham Arnold, who re-signed with the club last week likens the match to a grand final.
“It’s one of the biggest games the teams played in and it’s like a grand final,” Arnold said.
Look for there to be lots of goals with the Mariners needing a win to qualify for the playoffs while a draw will be enough for Nagoya to progress to the final 16.
With Graham Arnold’s future secured, can the Mariners stage a memorable and unlikely away win in Nagoya tonight to advance? Find out from 8.00pm AEST as we cover the action with live scores and commentary, so if you’re following along please leave your thoughts in the space provided.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Why did people think CCM could go over to Japan and beat Grampas that easily. It was always going to be very difficult to even get a draw there. They should have put away the chances and won their home game against them. Arnold was naive to give up the SFC job because he thought CCM would make it to the next round of the ACL - they had little chance of progressing.
Titus
Guest
Arnold Out!
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Thank God Arnold wasn't given the SFC job
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Thanks everyone for joining me for the live blog and we'll see you all next time. Remember to check out TheRoar.com.au homepage for the latest sports news and opinions.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Full time here in Japan and Nagoya Grampus has defeated the Central Coast Mariners by 3 goals to 0 to progress to the final 16 of the Asian Champions League while the Mariners are still yet to win an ACL game outside of Australia and have not made it past the group stage.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Goal!!! Tulio heads home a loose ball for Nagoya to give his side a 3-0 lead with 3 minutes remaining in the match.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
National Youth League striker, Mitchell Duke comes off the bench to replace Daniel McBreen in his first start for the Mariners first team.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
80' Nagoya Grampus 2 vs Central Coast Mariners 0
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
The ball has just ran across the face of goal without anyone touching it, after a Nagoya corner. Nagoya are starting to cause a headache for the Mariners defense.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Nagoya miss with the indirect free kick from the edge of the 6 yard box.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Free kick to Nagoya after Matthew Ryan picks up a back pass, very harsh decision-wasn't deliberate.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
66' Nagoya Grampus 2 vs Central Coast Mariners 0
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Ogawa heads just wide for Nagoya from point blank range, should have buried it.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Adam Kwasnik off for Bernie Ibini and Trent McClenahan replaces Adriano Pellegrino for the Mariners while Nagoya Grampus also makes a double change.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Thomas Rogic misses an absolute sitter right in front of goal for the Mariners after a great ball by Adam Kwasnik. The Mariners are starting to put some pressure on the Nagoya defense.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Both teams are back on the park and the referee blows time on for the second half.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Half time here in Japan as Nagoya Grampus leads the Central Coast Mariners 2-0. Is there any chance of a comeback here by the Mariners?
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
2 minutes of injury time here in the second half.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Pellegrino is looking very slow and sluggish out there for the Mariners, would have liked to have seen Amini in the starting line up.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Goal!!! Japanese international, Fujimoto goes 1 on 1 with Matthew Ryan before chipping him after a lovely through ball to give Nagoya a 2 goal buffer. 38' Nagoya Grampus 2 vs Central Coast Mariners 0