An understrength Central Coast Mariners will be looking for their first win in three matches when they host Perth Glory in the first of an A-League NYE double-header. We’ll have live scores from 6.00pm AEDT.
Less than two weeks ago the A-League minor premiership race was in danger of becoming a two-horse race, with Central Coast and Adelaide streeting ahead.
But the festive season hasn’t been kind. Graham Arnold finds himself preparing to face one of the in-form teams of the A-League without a cache of stars who have been integral to the Mariners’ success.
After his brain snap on Thursday night Tom Rogic will serve the first match of a three-game ban, while veterans Daniel McBreen and John Hutchinson will also miss after picking up suspensions from the 1-0 loss to Sydney.
To add to Arnold’s woes, towering centre-half Patrick Zwaanswijk will also miss with a groin strain. The news isn’t all bad though, with Pedj Bojic coming back in after serving his own ban.
Perth might not have been at their best on Thursday night in their 1-1 draw at home to Western Sydney but they did enough to extend their unbeaten run to three matches, and they sit comfortably in fifth position on the A-League table.
They will head east without Michael Thwaite, who has been one of the Glory’s best this year, but apart from that Ian Ferguson has virtually a full squad to choose from.
Tonight’s game could turn out to be crucial for the momentum of these two sides’ seasons in the second half of the year.
For Central Coast, the key to tonight will be replacing Rogic and Hutchinson. If Graham Arnold cannot, Miller, Burns and co should do enough to pinch a rare road win.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
God save us, what the hell is wrong with Smeltz, he misses from 6 yards. People keep saying "uncharacteristic miss" or "normally deadly" but he has not scored from open play, he has spurned several golden chances whilst creating nothing this year. He has been completely broken this year. All of our goals bar like two of Mehmets have been midfield goals. We have a great number of those. But our forwards have let us down shockingly. Our defence has been incredible, particularly given the lack of anything going on on the other end. People keep predicting multiple goals scored against us, but in 14 games we've only conceded two goals (never more) on two occasions and both times required moments of startling inattention and luck. If our forwards were doing their jobs... Grr.
midfielder
Guest
Great win and still ha keep facades under wraps....
MV Dave
Guest
Great crowd of 14,600 and great result for CCM but...a terrible game with PG not even getting a shot on target!
jack
Guest
can i stream this match anywhere?
Matt F
Roar Guru
With the Mariners outs this match could really go either way. Very tough match to tip!
Atawhai Drive
Guest
It's 31 degrees in Gosford, according to the Weather Channel, so I hope there's a pleasant cooling breeze coming in from Brisbane Water. 2-1 to the Mariners.