If their recent strong form is anything to go by, the Central Coast Mariners will fancy their chances of defeating Beijing Guan away from home in the Asian Champions League tonight. Join us for live scores and commentary from 10.30pm AEDT.
The Mariners could hardly buy a win over the last couple of months but last week’s upset victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima has allowed the Central Coast to re-ignite their A-League and ACL aspirations.
The fact the Mariners came from behind to defeat Hiroshima shows the strong character of a Mariners outfit that will be difficult to topple tonight.
Mile Sterjovski was superb upfront for the Mariners against Hiroshima and will be keen to continue his good form in the ACL.
The most impressive aspect of the Mariners play against Hiroshima was their ability to severely limit the attacking opportunities that the J. League champions were able to create.
Despite some tight moments near the end of the second half, the Central Coast seemed to always have numbers behind the ball, thus limiting Hiroshima’s ability to play through the defence.
Given they are away from home, the Mariners may once again opt to play on the counter-attack against Beijing, as such a tactic worked wonders against Hiroshima.
The Mariners’ opening goal against Hiroshima was a direct result of a counter attack that eventually saw Sterjovski find the back of the net.
Beijing however don’t possess the quality of Hiroshima so it will be interesting to see if the Central Coast decide to try and dominate possession.
A win tonight for the Mariners will go a long way to helping them progress past the group stages of the ACL – a great achievement given the fact they have lost a lot of quality players since winning the A-League grand final last season.
With winning momentum back on their side, the Mariners have what it takes to secure another vital win.
Mariners to win 2-1.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Mariners fought back well in the second half but Beijing emerge victorious with a vital 2-1 victory that seems them on top of the group. The Mariners are now last and need to win at home in a fortnight against Beijing to give themselves the best chance of progressing past the group stage. Bosnar came close to scoring for the Mariners in the second half, hitting the bar twice before Fitzgerald scored a penalty. Beijing though I think more convincing in possession and were rewarded with two good goals. Thanks for following tonight and join us next time on The Roar Beijing 2 Mariners 1
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Beijing 2 Mariners 1
Alan
Roar Guru
96' - Corner for the Mariners here. One final chance to score a dramatic equaliser. Delivery too deep though and Beijing win the throw. Not a good delivery there. Beijing 2 Mariners 1
Alan
Roar Guru
94' - Freekick to Beijing here and the Mariners will run out of time. Mariners with one last chance to push forward but possession is lost. Beijing with the throw. Beijing 2 Mariners 1
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Mariners with minutes remaining to get a vital point here. Beijing win back possession though and win a freekick as Montgomery gets a yellow card. Poor challenge. Beijing 2 Mariners 1
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - Beijing on the counter attack here as Utaka gets the ball in space! Mariners regroup though and concede the corner. Beijing though in the right part of the field. Throw for the Beijing. Beijing 2 Mariners 1
Alan
Roar Guru
88' - Nearly full time here but there should be plenty of added time. Beijing finally with possession. Mariners though with a spring in their step. Vital few minutes coming up. Roux now in space down the right and he wins the corner.... Beijing 2 Mariners 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Well well well, game not over here. Mariners with a chance to salvage something from a very tough trip. Beijing nervous now. Beijing 2 Mariners 1
Alan
Roar Guru
What a moment this is! Penalty to the Mariners. Fitzgerald to take the penalty.... GOAL MARINERS - Fitzgerald scores! Beijing 2 Mariners 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Penalty to the Mariners here!!!! Cernak fouled here.... Beijing 2 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Great chance this one for the Mariners. Freekick right in front of goal from the edge of the area.... Montgomery blasts from close range but the ball hits the wall! Beijing concede the corner. Beijing 2 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
81' - Bosnar comes off for Griffiths as the Mariners make their final change. Fitzgerald now in the area here gets past one defender but he should have driven the ball across the box. Corner won but a real chance to cause havoc lost. Beijing clear yet again. Mariners win a freekick right on the edge of the area! Nearly a penalty.... Beijing 2 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Utaka gives away possession with a poor pass. Return fixture in Gosford becomes really important for the Mariners. A must win match really. Zhang clears for Beijing. Beijing 2 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Utaka upfront yet again but this time he is called back for offside. Mariners still with time to make a game of this but they need a goal soon Beijing 2 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE MARINERS - Zhang forced to concede the corner as Roux produces a nice cross. Anderson with a header on target but the keeper saves! Beijing 2 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Simon with possession near the area tries to play it to Roux but his pass is intercepted. Simon should have had a shot there. Utaka with great control here skips away past two challenges. Beijing 2 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Mariners mix-up in defence there allows Utaka to claim possession but his shot goes over the bar. Mariners off the hook. Cernak loses possession now. Mariners with possession in the midfield. Beijing 2 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Duke on for Trifiro as the Mariners make their second change. Roux with the foul. Beijing well in control of this match Beijing 2 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - Simon wins a freekick out wide. Beijing head the delivery away. Reddy with possession for the Mariners Beijing 2 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
66' - Mariners with this defeat are now last on the table after Sanfrecce's earlier victory. Beijing could put on a score if the Mariners are not careful. Mariners need to show character right now Beijing 2 Mariners 0