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This F3 Derby shapes up as a tug of war for bragging rights and a finals position. Central Coast Mariners host Newcastle Jets tonight in a clash between two local rivals sitting side by side on the ladder.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEDT.
The Mariners won the last F3 derby 3-0 thanks to first-half goals from Anthony Caceres (a beautiful solo effort where he dribbled from the halfway line then scored from outside the box), Daniel McBreen and Matt Simon.
That game was a baptism of fire for Jets coach Clayton Zane in his first match in charge, so he will surely be seeking redemption tonight.
The Mariners received a huge morale boost on Tuesday night after beating J-League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1 in the Asian Champions League after losing five of their last six A-League matches.
Mile Sterjovski scored both goals in stunning fashion and he will be hoping to score more for the Mariners before hanging up his boots at the end of the season.
Anthony Caceres did not play in the win after suffering concussion in last round’s 3-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory but he is expected to be available for this game.
The Mariners could use a win tonight to ensure themselves of a finals spot but they will be determined to hold off the Jets who intend to leapfrog the Mariners into a finals position.
Zane’s men come into this match with back-to-back wins against strong opposition, including a 1-0 win last week against the resurgent Heart and 0-2 victory away over the Wanderers.
There are real signs that the Jets are fired up for this match following news of a training ground bust up on Monday between goalkeeper Mark Birighitti and defender Taylor Reagan, who was left with a bloody gash along his left eyebrow.
This passion should translate onto the pitch for the Jets, who will be coming at the Mariners hard and fast.
Helping them do this is this season’s leading goal-scorer, Adam Taggart who has 11 goals so far.
The 20-year-old has an opportunity to stake his claims for a ticket to Brazil with the Socceroos if he can impress Ange Postecoglou who should be watching tonight’s clash.
This match could also be the last opportunity for Jets utility David Carney to make his case for a World Cup shirt.
Unless these sides miraculously find themselves against each other in the finals, this will be the last and fiercest F3 derby of the season.
Prediction: Central Coast Mariners 1 Newcastle Jets 1
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEDT.
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