The Central Coast Mariners prolonged their historic season by the narrowest of margins on Tuesday, scraping into the knock-out stages of the Asian Champions League for the first time despite a 3-0 defeat against Kashiwa Reysol.
The Mariners conceded second-half goals in Gosford to Kudo Masato and Brazilian pair Cleo and Leandro Domingues, but Guizhou Renhe’s failure to beat Suwon Bluewings meant the A-League champions edged the Chinese side to second place in Group H by a solitary point.
The Bluewings’ 2-2 draw at Guizhou Renhe made Central Coast, who won their first A-League title just 10 days ago, only the third Australian side to reach the knock-out stages of the Asian Champions League.
It also set up a possible meeting for the Mariners with Guangzhou Evergrande and the Chinese side’s former World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi.
“It probably hasn’t sunk in properly yet because I’m a bad loser and we lost 3-0,” Mariners coach Graham Arnold said. “It’s a funny feeling at the moment.”
The Mariners dominated territory and possession in the first half but Kashiwa gradually gained a foothold and, in the 66th minute, Brazilian midfielder Jorge played a slide rule pass through the middle to Kudo for the striker to place past goalkeeper Mat Ryan.
The visitors, playing only for pride after already wrapping up first place in Group H, added to their tally in front of the 7623 crowd 13 minutes later when Cleo tucked the ball away after confusion in the Mariners’ box.
With the Mariners opening up due to Arnold’s attacking substitutions, Leandro made it 3-0 in the closing stages with a free kick that Ryan got both hands to but could not keep out.
Arnold said last week’s 1-0 win at Suwon Bluewings – the Mariners’ first away win in three Asian Champions League campaigns – pushed his side through.
“The game against Suwon two days after the grand final is the reason we are here,” Arnold said.
“I’d prefer to look at that than the performance tonight.”
The manager took the blame for the scale of the defeat due to attacking substitutions and a switch of tactics in pursuit of goals that would have been crucial had Guizhou won.
“I take responsibility from 1-0 on because I thought the first 60 minutes we were real good value,” Arnold said.
“When they got the goal against the run of play we went man on man over the whole park, we tried to press high and that gave them more space.
“When you give quality players more space they hurt you but we had to go for it and we couldn’t rely on the other result.
“We had to try and get it back and win the game ourselves.”
Ballymore
Guest
Am I the only one who thought 3-0 flattered Kashiwa Reysol? I thought CCM were the better team until the first goal.
Ballymore
Guest
If it was a single game, CCM would be playing away. I think two legs gives them a decent opportunity, albeit I assume playing away last.
Roarsome
Guest
I think the mid-range J-2 teams are on par with the best A-League clubs. Sure, we might bat above our weight from time to time though, in general, the quality is fart stronger in Asia. Still, we're on the improve.
Midfielder
Guest
Tow There is a quality gap between us and the Asian clubs ... its that simple ...
Griffo
Roar Guru
Another reason to strive for ACL qualification - to reduce our immense off-season? Adelaide benefited from their ACL run at the start of HAL8 and a similar scenario to benefit Mariners at start of HAL9. Interesting if the 'friendly' with the national squads comes off and the reasoning as to why if it doesn't. Good luck to the Mariners in the round of 16. It was only a single game not a tie last season...
Midfielder
Guest
Breaking NEWS ..... Marines want to play Socceroo to help both teams... From the FFA site... http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/mariners-want-help-from-socceroos/66378 Former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has called on Holger Osieck to assist the Mariners in their preparations for the next phase of the AFC Champions League. The Mariners secured their passage to the last 16 despite been humbled 3-0 by Japanese side Kashiwa Resyol on Tuesday evening in Gosford, with a 2-2 stalemate in the other encounter in the pool between Guizhou Renhe and Suwon Bluewings enough for the A-League champions to progress to the knockout section of the tournament. They will likely face Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande or Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors who sit first and second respectively in Group F and meet on Wednesday evening in China. With the Australian-based Socceroos set to head to Gosford next week for a camp ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifiers Arnold sees the situation as a perfect fit for both teams. "I'll have to maybe ask a favour off Football Federation Australia," said the 49-year-old. "The Socceroos are in camp next week and we need a game. "It'd be great if we could play the home-based Socceroos in a friendly game next Thursday just to keep us fit." Arnold had already been planning for this eventuality of having to find a fixture before the first leg of a tie on either May 14 or 15 which will keep the side match fit. "I had a brief discussion with Gary Moretti (Socceroos team manager)," he said. "They need a game, the U20s need a game: we can accommodate both teams. "If they'll help us, that'll be fantastic because we need a game." On the match itself Arnold claimed responsibility for the side going away from their normal pattern once they went 1 nil down in the 59th minute of play. "I take responsibility from 1-0 on because I thought the first 60 minutes we were real good value. "I felt we did very well and Daniel McBreen's had the one cleared off the line and whether that was a penalty with Pedj I don't know. "When they got the goal against the run of play we went man on man over the whole park, we tried to press high and that gave them more space. "When you give quality players more space they hurt you but we had to go for it and we couldn't rely on the other result. "We had to try and get it back and win the game ourselves. "We opened up, we gave too much space and we played into their hands." A proud Arnold beamed at getting through. "We've got to thank Suwon but the result last week was the result that got us into the last 16," he said. "It's a wonderful history making moment." No matter the result in the round of 16 tie Arnold has already found a positive for the side as they will attempt to defend their A-League title in 2013/2014. "I am very happy we have got another four weeks of football. "That gets rid of the month of May where we weren't doing any football and our program is now perfect for next season with the whole month of June and the first week or July off then into pre-season."
Midfielder
Guest
Was at the game last night and was very proud of the Mariners despite the loss... We where playing a side with maybe 10 times the budget and a coach of international fame... TBH tho the 3-0 did not reflect the game but that's football... however we did at times control the game .... I have two or three tho's coming out of the game, first the big club little club things ref's have in all sports ... they had to hit us with an axe for a free to go our way and some of the free's they got were just acting and they used the fact very effectively... second the difference in finishing they take their chances I find I lot of A-League strikers shot directly at the keeper or try for a wide angle and it misses whereas they tried to put the ball a little left or right of the keeper .... third the ball speed in passing was something to be seen and the weight on the pass as well it was impressive ... The turning point was when Pedj ran tho there team in the box and was brought down roughly 55 minutes in ... IMO one of the clearest penalties I have ever seen not given [see comment big club little club for the benefit of the doubt] ... two minutes latter they scored with a pass the skinned Pedj ...
nordster
Guest
Looking forward to the round of 16...good to see it is now a two legged affair, am i correct in remembering it was a one leg game last season? Would have been an anticlimax to get thru but have no home leg. Hoping they draw Evergrande ...will be great to see their line up here. And full marks to the Kashiwa fans, love their work.
Towser
Guest
Whatever spin you put on this from Arnie's angle Kashiwa were simply a better team & The Mariners didn't have the quality of player to break them down. Saw the same thing when the Roar played FC Tokyo. Space seemed at a premium whenever the Mariners had the ball, Kashiwa scored when the oppurtunity arose. Little A-League clubs IMO can do about it with limited moolah,except revert to "Battling Aussie" mode when playing Japanese clubs particularly.