The A-League’s two in-form teams face up this afternoon when Western Sydney Wanderers host Central Coast Mariners at Parramatta Stadium. We’ll have live scores from 6.00pm AEDT.
Melbourne Victory’s 2-0 win over Wellington last night means Tony Popovic’s side slip back one position into fourth, but a win over the league leaders here would see them back into third and put seven points between themselves and fifth-placed Perth.
They’ll do so this afternoon with key midfielder Aaron Mooy returning into the side, complimenting the wizardry of Shinji Ono, who has taken his game to another level in recent weeks after taking time to adjust to the A-League in the early rounds.
Western Sydney have now gone their past five matches unbeaten, including the 6-1 Christmas gift they gave to the home faithful on December 21 when they dismantled Adelaide.
After two average performances over the Christmas period, Central Coast rebounded on New Year’s Eve with a typically workmanlike performance at home to Perth.
They’re still without Tom Rogic due to suspension, but Daniel McBreen and John Hutchinson both return from their respective bans while Patrick Zwaanswijk could also return from injury.
Unlike many A-League sides, who seem to oscillate between promising and pitiful on a weekly basis, these two sides always seem to turn up to play and it shapes as a fascinating contest to finish off round 15 of the A-League.
The Wanderers have been fantastic to watch over the last month as they make the transition from possible top-six team to title contender.
It doesn’t come any harder than Graham Arnold’s Mariners but if they can get a result, it will be a massive, massive statement to the rest of the competition.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
"Im forever throwing bottles,water bottles through the air,they fly so high.....
Roarsome
Guest
Given the FFA owns and funds the team, there's a real easy solution should this happen again. This behaviour needs to be stamped out with a heavy hand. Look at how effective AU were in dealing with the racism issue. Zero tolerance is what we need here. Find the individuals and ban them, if it happens again fine the club.... or cut funding in this case.
midfielder
Guest
Still top of the table
tomm
Guest
mate, wanderers were without beauchamp, hersi and that's it for effective players mariners were without Zwaanswijk, Rogic, the best defender and best young player in the league - so mariners were worse off
jamesb
Guest
Wanderers did OK when you consider they were without Beachchamp, Kersi and a couple of others. Mind you the Mariners were missing Rogic. I hope not permanent though
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Yeah don't think you'll be getting support from the football community this time,is this the reaction we can expect from the RBB when a call goes against them?,talk about throwing the toys out of the pram.Thought momentum was definatley swinging the Wanderers way till play was stopped.
Titus
Guest
Thought CCM were just way more clinical and effective. Great away from home win. McBreen really does just keep on giving.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Personally don't think it was in the offing.
Wanderer
Guest
Bottle throwers were idiots. Thanks for giving the anti-football mob fuel for fire. CCM defended their arses off and bossed us physically. Really lacked Poljak to break down plays and dictate the tempo and Hersi to have a more potent attack. Oh well, season ends in May.
Cappuccino
Roar Guru
Cappuccino
Roar Guru
That should've been a penalty for Bridge...
Johnno
Guest
Carn the coast.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Well, that (eminently deserved) card probably just ended this as a contest...
dexx
Guest
brisbane arent playing in this game
midfielder
Guest
1 nil to the mariners after 41 mins
Roarsome
Guest
fuelled with rage over another dud call, i posted this here. Here's to better officials for this match.
Roarsome
Guest
Either the linesman are blind or they have a directive that Brisbane have had enough success. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].