The Central Coast Mariners will need to put their recent poor A-League form behind them if they are any hope of upsetting J-League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the Asian Champions League. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEDT.
Despite the daunting task that lies ahead tonight, the Mariners do possess a fantastic opportunity to play themselves back into form when they face Hiroshima.
The Japanese champions will start strong favourites tonight given the Mariners recent struggles in the A-League.
The Central Coast also lost their opening Asian Champions League match to FC Seoul so there is little room for error tonight against Hiroshima.
Hiroshima have firmly established their status as perhaps the best side in Japan and possibly Asia, winning the past two J-League championships.
Mariners coach Phil Moss knows that a win against Hiroshima tonight could prove to be a massive turning point for the Central Coast heading into the A-League finals.
Hiroshima are without some big names with Hisato Sato and Croatian Michael Mikic both out of the line-up to face the Mariners.
Midfielder Toshihiro Aoyama however represents a huge danger for the Mariners tonight. He is a quality ball-player and will torment the Central Coast defence if he is allowed to dictate terms in the midfield.
Mariners captain John Hutchinson believes his side must use their physicality to their advantage in a bid to disrupt the free-flowing game of Hiroshima.
While being physical has its advantages, the Mariners ultimately have to let their football do the talking tonight if they hope to cause the upset.
Hiroshima though will be very keen for a victory tonight given that they are coming off a 1-1 draw against Beijing Guoan in their Asian Champions League opener.
While the Mariners should be competitive at home, the class and pedigree of Hiroshima should be enough for the J-League champions to secure a tight win.
Hiroshima to win 2-1
Mick
Guest
What are you smoking the mariners have a team full of Aussies Except for two or three
Muzz
Guest
Is that a typo ?
Mick
Guest
They were singing it years before WSW were birthed old mate
Johnno
Guest
Good man, man up.
Kareem
Guest
Good point. Both in the same league. But good luck convincing wanderers fans to stop singing it...
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
No Johnno. I live streamed. I don't even specifically follow Mariners and I managed to remember when they were playing. Just as I know the Wanderers and Victory are playing tomorrow night.
Johnno
Guest
did you go
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Jamesb, I don't own foxtel but I knew it was on and I still managed to watch the whole match. Did the Mariners do enough marketing?
jamesb
Guest
PA I had no idea this match was on. FFA's marketing of this game at it's brilliant best. Are the FFA using those robot ads again?
Johnno
Guest
the northern spirit rumours wont go away. just sayin.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Confirmed! Mariners attendance a paltry 2,168!
Johnno
Guest
Next year the A-league is cutting down to 4 imports. Bad move the Brisbane roar ain't hapyy, as are other teams. CCM won't be as competitive and especially in Asia, it will hurt CCM and other A-league teams. Man up FFA and Dave Gallop, keep the A-league competitive. plenty of oppurtunities still for locals.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
I'm hearing 2165 turned up. Can anyone confirm or deny this?
Midfielder
Guest
UN Farking believable .. The Mile & Monty show....
fadida
Guest
Woo hoo!
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Yay!
langou
Roar Guru
go A-League!!!
langou
Roar Guru
great win Mariners champions of Australia beat the champions of Japan
jamesb
Guest
Well done CCM. Champions of the A-League defeat champions of the J-League. That means the A-League is better then the J-League!
Red wire-Blue wire
Guest
2 clubs from different leagues I can let slide. Not 2 teams in the same league.