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.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Fuss & Philk and anyone else! I found this just then! When I wrote this article I knew what I was talking about. Philk this link just makes your responses to my article even more amusing! What's the title? Choke? Mariners miss last four pens http://m.foxsports.com.au/story/football/1226590057761 There is also a video encompassing all the choking efforts. Seems as though I spurred the idea, or maybe I wasn't the only one who thought this.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Just for good measure. In year 12 I had to play golf as part of achieving my overall grade. Golf being a great example of pressure in sport, provided us with the topic required for research. "Clutch" vs "Choke" As apart of my referee list I had this book noted - "Sport and Exercise Psychology: The Key Concepts, Second Edition"; Ellis Cashmore; 2008. It spoke about the aspects of "choke" (choking in sport) I don't have this assessment or book anymore but remembered it fairly well. For those wising to argue the definition of choking in sport, PLEASE educate yourself and not create a defensive barrier due to overprotection of a favoured team or support of a sport. Fact speaks louder than fiction! Wish to ensue debate further, I honestly don't know if I can reply.
Kellett_1992
Guest
Fuss, Didn't my article have more to it then just ACL?? My article, although spurred by the result was also an opinion I had always possessed prior to writing this piece. An opinion in which I believe has been provided with numerous examples. Perhaps you could share what your opinion is on choking instead of this drivel continuing, for you've clearly made your point that you don't agree with what I have written.
Kellett_1992
Guest
Fuss, If you honestly want to play semantics i'm not going to bother. You read the article, you know why!!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Kellett You used CCM's 0-0 draw in an ACL match to lead a discussion that CCM are chokers. I'm simply using FACTS to show that BRI has the worst performance of ANY team in the ACL. All other ALeague teams, who have competed in the ACL, have won a game. Brisbane has not. I do NOT consider Brisbane to be chokers. REPEAT. I do NOT consider Brisbane to be chokers. My definition of choking is different to yours. But, based on your criteria for "choking", BRI is a bigger choker in Asia than any other ALeague team.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
So, why didn't you write an article about WSW choking when they lost 0-2 - at home - to CCM in January? What's the difference between that loss by WSW & this loss by CCM? What makes this loss more significant? Why is this loss "season-defining" but not the loss in January? It simply doesn't make sense - it defies logic.
Kellett_1992
Guest
Fuss, Did you ultimately hand pick Brisbane Roar based on my support of the side. Whether you admit it or not, if I supported Sydney fc and wrote the exact same article, you would still formulate the exact same argument. Again what does Melbourne victory or Brisbane Roar have to do with this article??
Kellett_1992
Guest
When a team is dominating and should win but don't, that shows the inability to perform under pressure situations. That Fuss, can be labelled as a mental frailty or an aspect of choking. Although another regular season match, this is VERY important as ultimately it could turn out to be the difference between a Premiers plate or finishing second. The match between Perth glory vs Sydney fc, very important in terms of finals aspirations but as you've said before, the value the Premiers plate offers is more significant, thus making match more important and again potentially season defining.
Kellett_1992
Guest
Philk, You have a problem with the way I write or what I write for that matter, take it up with the website. This is an opinion based website and you may not like it but you will lump it. My article "in your opinion" may be about trashing the Mariners with my ill informed football mindset, but I assure you this article is based on fact not fiction. Paragraph 1 - fact! Paragraph 2 - opinion but one based on statistical evidence that any well informed football fanatic would know! Paragraph 3 - opinion. Paragraph 4 - fact! Paragraph 5 - fact! Paragraph 6 - overall opinion! Paragraph 7 - fact! Paragraph 8 - fact! Paragraph 9 - opinion/fact! Paragraph 10 - you know what I give up! Ohh I thought my chain had been yanked before but you take the cake. How rude and arrogant you are! You want positive, educate yourself and read my contributions I have through this website. Does my point require more justification? 4! 4 penalty shots in a row, not going into the back of the net. Evidence of an opinion formulated on fact and well educated perception of football! As for 1992???? Yeah i'm 21, what's your problem? Do the younger generation do nothing to appease you, my highness!! In fact aren't the young demographic targeted as our main building blocks to future growth in Australian football. I'm sorry but 17-39 year olds offer nothing. I don't care for your age either as ignorance and arrogance do it just fine enough. Perhaps you could learn a thing or two. My opinion was once again justified when the Mariners clearly failed to capitalise on perfect opportunities. They should have at least drew. They have an inability to cope with pressure situations that when they are playing better or should win, they choke, do your research.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Why is this match any more important than the match at Parramatta Stadium 2 mths ago, when CCM won 0-2? Did WSW get more points for winning tonight? Did WSW "choke" when they lost at home to CCM? CCM totally outplayed WSW tonight ... that's not the sign of a "choker". A choker is a player/team who can't perform under pressure. As far as I'm concerned, all CCM players performed exceptionally well. McBreen's shot beat Covic & hits the crossbar - 1 cm lower & CCM goes 1-0 up. Haliti's shot misses Ryan's fingertips by 1 cm. That's not choking... that's simply how football matches go.
philk
Guest
Kellett_ 1992.....your article is just about trashing the Mariners, there is no logic to any of your arguments and as for me explaining the finer points of football, well that would just go way over your head son!! Come back when your understanding of the game qualifies you to write articles that make a positive contribution to journalistic assessment of football in this country.
Brad
Guest
Really fantastic to see the comments dominated by one Melbourne Victory fan who seems to have a deep issue with Brisbane :/ I'm watching Central Coast lose at home to the Wanderers in arguably the biggest match of the season so far, one which plays a critical role in determining who will finish top of the league. Yep.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@ Ian FACTS 1st attempts * MVFC performed better than BRI * MVFC won 2 matches, BRI didn't win any matches * MVFC finished 2nd in the Group, BRI finished 3rd * The Group winners of MVFC's Group were crowned Champions of Asia 2nd attempt * MVFC performed better than BRI * MVFC won a game; BRI were eliminated before they even got to the Group Stage * The Group winners of MVFC's Group were crowned Champions of Asia 3rd attempt * MVFC won a game ... ... who knows when BRI will next qualify for their 3rd ACL campaign.
Ian
Guest
and you're going after Ange Postecoglou too ...shame on you.
Ian
Guest
Fuss - you still don't accept that MV have been crap. wow - you blatantly focus on your first attempt but ignore dismal performances on 2nd and 3rd attempts. you are cherry picking the data you want. MV have sucked at ACL MV are not equipped to play knockout football in Asia. and it doesnt look like MV will be there anytime soon to rectify the worst performing A-League team in Asia's record. 2 last place finishes cannot be disputed. 4th out of 4 equals last. its been 4 years since MV won anything and you're hurting ( yes i know you will 'win' next year) cherry pick that data.
Kellett_1992
Guest
Sorry my reply should have read are they equipped for ACL beyond group stage (knockout)? I know Melbourne have done better but I didn't want to make this about the Roar or victory. It was meant to focus on the inability of the mariners to clinch games they should have won. Examples in article provided. I'm sure other have choked but mariners consistently do this.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Kellett_1992 I don't know if you were watching ACL in 2008? It was MVFC's 1st attempt in Asia. We won 2 of our 3 home games & were beaten in the other home game by an 89' wonderful strike by Gamba Osaka, who went on to be crowned champions of Asia. MVFC finished 2nd in the Group, which is the position that is now required to progress from the Group. Contrast that to Brisbane Roar's 1st ACL attempt - 0 wins, 3 draw, 3 loss. MVFC's 1st attempt in Asia certainly went better - much much better - than Brisbane Roar.
Kellett_1992
Guest
Fuss, Your beloved Melbourne victory and the Central coast mariners, are they equipped for the ACL based on previous results? As they have not progressed out of the group stage therefore haven't had to play knock out football as such. This finals series is really only the first form of a real knockout competition.
Kellett_1992
Guest
Fuss, Were Roar expected to win that? You know the circumstances as to how that match occurred and became scheduled. Roar were always going to find that match difficult and underestimating ACL opponents would be silly. It may be a form of choking but again this isn't about the Roar, central coast do it on a regular basis. Though once again good luck to the Mariners in all future endeavours. I hope they win the ACL.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Who says I don't believe in finals? I love finals ... but I see them for what they are - a competition to determine the team that is tactically, physically & mentally the best at playing knock-out football. Brisbane's loss in Thailand showed the team is tactically, physically & mentally NOT equipped for knock-out football in Asia.