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Ever since the formation of the Central Coast Mariners, their biggest issue has been putting in good performances in the Asian Champions League (ACL) and A-League Finals series.
Consistency would be the most defining aspect associated with this football club, but unfortunately consistency has not always come in the form of decent results.
Consistently the Mariners have choked when it has mattered most.
Out of the seven finals series conducted thus far, the Mariners have participated in five and prior to yesterday had participated in two ACL campaigns.
Three out of the five finals series have seen the Mariners participate in grand finals, all of which have resulted in failure and in their ACL campaigns have unfortunately not been able to progress beyond the first round.
With the Mariners nearing the end of another potentially successful season, the next match against Western Sydney Wanderers could be vital.
In front of a disappointing crowd of 4,259, a perfect opportunity went begging in the 88th minute. In one of the most shocking brain snaps I’ve seen from a defender in a crucial match, Suwon Bluewings defender Kwak Kwang-Sun blatantly hand balled in the box to give the Mariners a penalty.
Nick Montgomery took it upon himself to take the shot but as recent times have suggested, penalty taking is not the Mariners’ forte.
While the shot wasn’t too bad, it was the inability to finish in front of goal that proved most costly.
The Mariners efforts will not go unnoticed, but not taking all three points at home will prove the difference in what will determine the chances for the Mariners progression into the next stage and aid to slightly diminish the tag of chokers.
All too often have we seen the Mariners choke. There are no better examples than the failure to grasp the championship from Brisbane Roar in 2010-2011 season.
Both in the grand final and qualifying finals, the Mariners failed to capitalise on 2 – 0 leads.
Now I don’t mean to degrade the efforts achieved by the Mariners at all. In fact they are the most consistently successful regular-season side in the A-League’s short history.
My issues are not with what they’ve achieved in the regular season but what they’ve failed to achieve on the two biggest stages.
I honestly believe the Mariners have a great shot at once again ensuring Australian football is noticed in Asia.
Representing Australia as best they can in the largest growing football market in the world is vital.
Though for Australian football to take the next step, our most consistent A-League club during regular season needs to suck it up and deal with any mental frailties before their next scheduled ACL match.
While ensuring a successful finish to the regular season, I believe the first demon the Mariners have to overcome is winning a grand final. If they can’t win in front of an audience of 40,000 spectators and 300,000 viewers in an Australian A-League grand final, how can they go any further into their third ACL campaign?
Put any money on a return to regular season form in front of a home crowd banking for three points, but until signs of the dreaded chokers tag start to dissipate I only foresee another failed attempt into the wilderness that is the ACL.
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