After two draws to begin their campaign, the Central Coast Mariners return to Bluetongue Stadium to host Adelaide United this afternoon. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEDT.
Central Coast come into this game after making both Western Sydney and Melbourne Heart look like quality football teams.
Pasfield’s beard is the only real highlight of their first two games, after fighting for a draw against the Wanderers and an extremely lucky comeback against Melbourne Heart, Central Coast will be looking to this Saturday as opportunity to post their first win.
The Mariners will be wearing bright pink kits in support of Pink Ribbon Day.
Adelaide has radically changed their game plan this season, however no-one from Barcelona will be filing for obstructions of copyright.
Gombau’s side are possibly the most exciting team to watch; similar to Brisbane and Melbourne in their build up play, but also because their defenders’ acute awareness to always find the opposition forwards.
Some one would pass it off as growing pains for the Radelaideans, but if it continues much longer, will become a chronic disease.
Osama Malik was converted into a defender last week, and looked every bit out of place as Victory streamed forward.
Awer Mabil frustrated both the Melbourne Victory’s defence and his own manager as he sought to go one-on-one too often.
Expect him not to start, but if they’re chasing the game, don’t be surprised if he’s brought on to be brought down in the box by Nick Montgomery.
To the workhorse Central Coast midfielder, he’ll either be sent to the doggers by Adelaide’s passing style, or like the outside favourite at Lockhart Race 3, will knock off Adelaide’s jockeying midfielders causing either serious injury or a yellow card.
Either way, he’s some kind of equine, and I’m still trying to work out if he’s a horse or a donkey.
Adelaide welcomes back Isaias and Nigel Boogaard from suspension, however Daniel Bowles is not expected to play.
The Mariners are expected to have a full squad, save for Daniel McBreen whose loan spell/money earner at Shanghai SIPG does not end until the 31st of October.
The last time these teams played was on March 24 earlier this year, the result was Adelaide United 0-2 Central Coast Mariners.
Central Coast are set to play on their third Saturday in a row, while Adelaide are still yet to play on the same day twice, which is good because it would be a fixture list and squad nightmare.
Adelaide has four players in the top ten for yellow cards after two games, while the Central Coast, like a tourism guide to Australia, do not feature.
Central Coast Mariners have not had a win in their last five matches.
Adelaide United have not beaten the Mariners in the last 11 matches between the two teams.
The last time Adelaide United won when playing away to Central Coast Mariners was all the way back in January 2009, when they pinched a 1-0 victory.
Can they do it again? Find out from 5.30pm AEDT as we cover the action with live scores and commentary.
midfielder
Guest
Great win
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Beep, beep beeeeeep. Adelaide should of scored after dominating possession. MotM? Fitzgerald he took a chance early and his finish to bottom corner was a delight. Worst player? They were all ok, but it has to go to the live band.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
92' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide Hutchinson is replaced by...Damn I've missed it. He looked youngish, enjoy your 60 seconds son.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
90' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide +3 minutes added time. CCM get the ball to the right.Sterjovksi doesn't shoot though, and Watson heads away. They do it again! It's a poor touch though and Galekovic is caught late. Adelaide ge the bal to the left, Kito's header misses to the right.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
89' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide My niece turned off the tv! Oh well. They didn't score. Adelaide pass down the right, but their man is offside.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
87' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide Adelaide break down the right, Elrich is brought down by Hutchinson, it's a yellow. Can Adelaide muster a goal off a set play? I think Set is seven in Spanish.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
84' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide Duke is offside, which catches the CCM bench offside with the 4th official. Mabil looks to attack, his team mates are confused by waht he means to dribble instead of pass.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
82' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide Both teams are increasing their urgency. CCM have a kitten of an attack down the left, Adelaide look to play out from the back. This could be a Theatre of the Absurd play.. Josh Rose tells the assaisnt to **** off. He's called over an carded. Yellow Rose. Red Rose? No, Adelaide have been less than romantic. The resulting free kick is less than impressive.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
79' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide FLORES OFF STERJOVOKSI ON. CCM have a free kick, Sterjovksi turns shoots! The rebound falls to Simon who manages to miss. WOW! Not long after CCM attack again, McGlinchey jinks through 3 players lays it off to Simon on the right hand edge of the box, who again shoots wide.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
78' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide Adelaide have quick corner, but are confused by not having to pass it 5000 times to be near the goals. They concede it's best to let CCM have the ball again.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
77' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide Mabil dribbles through 2 defenders, whose cross is well defended.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
74' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide Malik is a bit sore after getting hurt by Simon. Adelaide pass it infront of CCM who regains the ball, Rose runs down the left, to Mcglinchey whose cross is some how recovered by Flores, he goes for goal. It's barely worth the it. WATSON ON MALIK OFF.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
72' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide Matt Simon switches the play and now CCM have a corner. Mcglinchey to take it. Beautiful ball in to Sainsbury who gets a free header! It's just wide and Zullo makes sure of it. Galekovic has the ball again. They've lost the ball! Flores to Simon who leaves it for Roux! He side foot's into Galekovic's glove.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
70' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide New tactic by the CCM to one two with the defenders, who give it back via throw in, two in succession and...Adelaide's backline againis just muttering with it.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
68' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide Malik and McKain shoulder the opposition, it's a free kick by Flores. He aimed for the top right corner but Galekovic gets a desperate hand to it.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
68' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide Malik fouls someone and is carded. FITZGERALD OFF, SIMON ON. Matt Simon is on the field. Yes.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
66' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide Ferreira has a one two with another team mate, they see the goals, run scared and pass back to Zullo on half way.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
65' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide After a couple of half hearted attacks by CCM, Gomabu himself almost hasa heart attack as Adelaide again lose possession.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
63' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide CCM attack down the left, but the ball in isn't much. MABIL ON MCGRATH OFF.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
61' 1 – 0 CCM v Adelaide CCM bomb forward, it doesn't hit the live band to the crowds disappointment. Fox Sports show a statistic - CCM 100 passes, Adelaide 300. MABIL ON. Who did he replace? I'm hoping it's Cirio, he's had a shocker. Sorry, will find out. Storm Roux v Awer Mabil. Coolest names in the A League. Hutchinson is asked to pass the ball, confused he taps the ball, it isn't effective. Adelaide have possession once more. Adelaaide think horses will eat each other if they dont have the ball.