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After losing top spot on the A-League ladder last weekend, Central Coast Mariners must head down the F3 and claim all three points against Sydney FC to keep themselves in the race for the Premier’s Plate. We’ll have live coverage from 5.30pm AEDT.
No doubt Graham Arnold would have been seething to lose to Western Sydney last Saturday night at a rain-swept Bluetongue Stadium, but when he stopped to analyse this one later in the week he wouldn’t have been too concerned.
His side controlled the game for the majority of the 90 minutes and had multiple chances to go ahead, before eventually conceding in the 81st minute.
Tonight they head south to face the sky blue version of Sydney in what should be warm conditions at Allianz Stadium.
Sydney appeared to be ready to string together a run of form off the back of two consecutive wins but losses to Melbourne Heart and Perth Glory have dented any momentum Frank Farina’s side had begun to generate.
They’ll again be tested tonight following the late withdrawal of Lucas Neill after the Socceroos skipper suffered a thigh injury in training on Thursday, meaning the unpredictable duo of Adam Griffiths and Tiago Calvano will line up in the centre of defence.
It’s hard to see Central Coast not winning this evening. They’re professional and they’re consistent and despite a hectic schedule and the letdown of last weekend I expect them to get the result.
A late winner from Brett Emerton might have meant the Sky Blues took three points from the last encounter between the two sides but it is hard to forget the 7-2 hiding that the Mariners handed out at Bluetongue, resulting in the resignation of Ian Crook.
Sydney might have the names but the Mariners possess the cohesion and they’ll do enough to win tonight.
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