The Central Coast Mariners control their own destiny going into their final group match of the AFC Champions League tonight against Kashiwa Reysol. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 8.30pm AEST.
The Mariners are solidly in second place behind Reysol in Group H, but with a win can guarantee a spot in the round of 16, which begins on the 14th May.
The Mariners have the advantage of home turf, playing in good weather at Bluetongue Stadium against a Japanese outfit that have never seen Australian soil in this competition and who aren’t in stellar form in their domestic competition (currently 11th in the J-League).
Central Coast, by contrast, are on a high after winning the A-League grand final for the first time in their eight-year history.
The Mariners backed it up 48 hours later with a 1-0 win over the Suwon Bluewings in Korea. Another point in their favour is their home record in the ACL – they haven’t lost their last five matches.
This fixture still has the potential to be difficult for the home side – when the Mariners travelled to Kashiwa in March they lost 3-1, with Brazilian Leandro Domingues responsible for two goals.
The Mariners also missed a penalty chance in the game (at the time, not surprising in the least).
Kashiwa (a city on the east coast of Japan, with a population of around 400,000) drew 1-1 with Guizhou Renhe (China) in their last ACL match, to give them an uncatchable lead in Group H.
We’ll have live commentary on The Roar from 8.30pm AEST.
[roargal]
Cameron
Roar Guru
They most likely would try to minimise as much costs as possible, so id doubt they would spend the full amount, but fingers crossed as of next season this can occur.
Cameron
Roar Guru
West, Are you talking about the Qatari league? Or national side?
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
A-League cap is something like 2.4 million, not sure if the Mariners would spend up to that though?
chezza
Guest
so glad that they still get to go through :)
chezza
Guest
they were so not the class side - they spent half the time on the ground! go the mariners!!
West
Roar Pro
Mariners make the round of 16 but disappointing result. CCM just didn't score when they had their chances and let the Reysol forwards have too much room. I'd like to think one day we can stop making excuses about how much money they have etc. The Qatar football association has as much money as it wants, but they still can't beat anyone and will be severely embarrassed when they host the 2022 WC. There are a lot of reasons why Japanese teams are better than us and its not just money. We are getting better but still need to improve in a lot of areas and be more ruthless in attack.
Roarsome
Guest
Thanks, I travel to Japan often and watch plenty of J League, wanting to try and catch an ACL game but the dates never work out.
Cameron
Roar Guru
That's not much considering their from Japan. Or is that a lot? Four times - $10,000,000?
Cameron
Roar Guru
We can't get rid of it and the chances of large increasing occurring any time soon have been shelved.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Fox commentators said Kashiwa have a bankroll four times that of the Mariners!
1860melbourne
Guest
Arnold complains about the amount of foreigners in the A league yet its the foreigners that make the difference in the ACL. It will never be a level playing field unless we increase the salary cap or get rid of it!
Ballymore
Guest
Since CCM finished second, I'm guessing they will play the first leg at home?
dasilva
Guest
According to Wiki 15 of may at home for the Mariners and 22nd of May away The group winner gets to host the 2nd leg at home
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
First round of 16 match is on the 14th or 15th of May, not sure if it'll be here or somewhere in Asia.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Kashiwa Reysol 3 – 0 Central Coast Mariners Kudo and Cleo definitely had a great game for Kashiwa, especially in that second half, whereas for the Mariners Ibini and Bojic were the highlights. Good fight by McBreen, who's been ill for the past few days to come out and give it his all tonight. Thanks for joining us on the Roar!
Roarsome
Guest
Any news on the dates of the next two games?
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Kashiwa Reysol 3 – 0 Central Coast Mariners The Central Coast Mariners go through to the Round of 16 in the AFC Champions League, even despite a rather poor loss at home against a top Japanese outfit. Arnold doesn't seem too distraught, the smallest club in Asia have made it through.
kurt
Guest
you bloody ripper!!!!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Kashiwa Reysol 3 – 0 Central Coast Mariners and... FULLTIME IN CHINA!!! 2-2, Mariners go through!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Kashiwa Reysol 3 – 0 Central Coast Mariners Full credit to the Japanese side, they were the class side in this game and thoroughly deserved the win.