The conclusion of round eight will see two A-League heavyweights renew their rivalry when Brisbane Roar battles the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford this afternoon. We’ll have live scores from 5.00pm AEDT.
Despite sitting on opposite ends of the table, a Brisbane and Central Coast clash is always a dogfight for three points.
The home side sit in second place, boasting four wins and only one loss in seven starts.
The visitors surprisingly sit in eighth place, recording only two wins and suffering four losses this season.
But the season still in its early stages and the ladder is only starting to take shape.
Mixed results have left the table congested with two wins separating second from seventh.
This game however poses a little more than just the three competition points.
The Mariners are still chasing their first A-League championship after it was snatched away deep into extra time by the Roar in the 2010/11 grand final.
Central Coast is always looking to avenge their defeat, after it was the closest of their three grand final losses since the A-League era.
Brisbane are the reigning A-League champions but have failed to fire since coaching gun Ange Postecoglou departed last season.
The Queensland franchise will be looking for a win against one of the A-League’s most consistent sides to wake themselves from an early season slumber.
Despite indifferent performances early in the season both sides scrambled to come away with points last round.
The Mariners played out an entertaining 2-all draw with the Victory, a week after claiming maximum points in Wellington.
Brisbane Roar came from behind to beat cellar dwellers Sydney FC 4-2 at Suncorp Stadium.
Much of Brisbane’s revival came from midfield control of star player Thomas Broich who will be the key cog in the roar’s attack this weekend.
For the home side, Daniel McBreen had been an attacking Dynamo, netting six goals in his last three games.
The Roar will have to nullify the Mariners’ dangerous front-man after his goal- scoring flurry which started with a hat-trick against Sydney FC.
Both sides will be relatively unchanged from those who played the week before although there are whispers Henrique will be promoted to the starting side.
The last time the two teams met the Central Coast Mariners earned the spoils with a 1-0 victory.
The two teams always produce a tight tussle and we have reason to expect much of the same in Gosford this afternoon.
The Mariners do not concede many at home and will rely on defence to form the foundation of their game.
The Roar has struggled with their execution of plays, which have been notorious in raising the bar for Australian football.
As for a prediction: a low-scoring match with both teams expected to share the spoils.
Central Coast 1- 1 Brisbane Roar
Roarsome
Guest
Yes and I think it's a fair comment too. It was a fairly scrappy game from both sides in the heat and was decided in rather controversial circumstances. It was good for the Mariners to have their first home win over the Roar and "make history". At the end of the day though, this is not the kind of history that matters, it was another game in the season. No one would discount the Roar just yet, that's a reputation they've earned over the past few seasons. The Mariners should also know more than anyone else not to start celebrations too early.
Midfielder
Guest
37 degrees at kick off ... just over 9K actually I think impressive... Afternoon games on the CC are difficult to market especially when the weather warms up I have attached three links to show my point the first link is a broad map of the CC and it has lakes, rivers and beaches everywhere and has some huge national parks as well.... very difficult and we need games after 7:00 if possible...but to my links.. As I said the first one if a map of the CC, the second link is some images of beaches, the last link is a river and creek link ... I hope FFA understand the that water sports are the king on the coast, surfing, sailing, swimming etc... please give us some games at night... http://rachelgreig.typepad.com/thedarkroom/images/2007/12/22/map_centralcoast_2.jpg http://www.nothinglikeaustralia.com/uploaded_files/local/nz/entry_uploads/large/1271430271_1729.jpg http://www.australia.com/contentimages/explore-itineraries-pacific-coast-touring-route-nsw.jpg
Midfielder
Guest
Glad to have won... we are still not flowing as well as we should .... but with Nick Monty and Hutch playing as DM's we are very hard to break down...
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
I was waiting for a comment to this effect lol
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
A victory for the Central Coast Mariners against the Brisbane Roar. The visitors had a bit more of the position but it was the boys from Gosford that played the better football and deserved the win.
Roarsome
Guest
1 win against the Champions at Gosford 14 attempts. Still no Championships though, don't get too excited. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
90+3' CCM 2-1 BRI A move that would have all but sealed the three points for Central Coast ends with a cross bar strike by Mitch Duke to deny the substitute.
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
90+2' CCM 2-1 BRI The Mariners are slowing down play as they edge closer to their first home victory against Brisbane.
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
90+1' CCM 2-1 BRI Into injury time and the Mariners maintain a one-goal advantage- a situation all to familiar for the central coast
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
83' CCM 2-1 BRI The Roar receive a corner with Broich delivering to the far post only to be cleared by the central coast defence.
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
87' CCM 2-1 BRI The Roar make their final change with Fitzgerald entering the fray. The Mariners replace fan favourite Tom Rogic for Mitchell Duke.
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
84' CCM 2-1 BRI Time is running out from the Roar and the Mariners are closing in on A-league history.
Rob Gremio
Roar Pro
I'm not so sure... Tough one to call, as much as I hate to say it.
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
83' CCM 1-1 BRI The Roar go the length from the kick-off and a solid save from Ryan prevents the visitors equalising once again.
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
81' CCM 2-1 BRI A goalkeeping mistake has led to a 2nd Central Coast goal to give them the ascendency heading into the final 10 minutes. Tom Rogic; the goal scorer
Roarsome
Guest
Wow, what a shocker of a call. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
80' CCM 1-1 BRI Pedj Bojic is given a yellow card for a silly shove on Thomas Broich as he is getting set for a free kick.
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
The Goals are looking to have dried up Doobs
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
77' CCM 1-1 BRI Bozanic's delivery is headered away by Paartalu for another header- pressure building by the roar.
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
76' CCM 1-1 BRI A dangerous cross by Rogic is header away by the Brisbane defence for a corner.