Today’s second A-League elimination final between the Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United promises to be one of the most entertaining matches of the season. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4.30pm (AEST).
Adelaide come into today’s contest on the back of a 2-nil defeat at the hands of Newcastle, which pretty much sums up their season.
Despite dominating possession, Adelaide failed to take their chances and were hurt by a more clinical Newcastle outfit.
Now, they take on a Mariners side that played superbly against Brisbane last week, securing a 2-nil victory up at Lang Park.
Although the Roar dominated possession, the Mariners hurt them on the counter attack, particularly in the first half.
With this in mind, expect the Mariners to repeat the same game plan that served them very well against the Roar last week.
Adelaide like to hold on to possession and will most likely dominate in this regard today, not that the Mariners will mind.
The Mariners are a proven counter attacking unit and will bide their time before striking hard and true against a vulnerable Adelaide defence.
The team that scores first today will most likely go on and win. An early goal for Adelaide will allow them to play with more space given that the Mariners at some stage will have to open up in pursuit of an equaliser.
If the Mariners score first, Adelaide will be forced to take risks in possession and it is here that the Central Coast will tear the reds apart on the counter.
Although the Mariners are at home, Adelaide have had the wood over the Central Coast in recent matches and do possess the class to secure an upset win.
If Adelaide’s Latin brigade of Ferreira, Jeronimo Neumann, Marcelo Carrusca and Isaias play well, the Reds are capable of eliminating the Mariners away from home.
Adelaide to win 1-0.
calum
Guest
Who was showing the tactical nous? Certainly not AU who were obsessed by this slow working of the ball out wide. AU were playing hipster football. Superficially sophisticated but no substance behind it and nonsense to anyone who knows about the game. At times CCM we're playing 6 across the back. How can you say there was tactical nous when AU had idea how to break it down? Here's one suggestion; have a bloody ping from 25 yards. Maybe it'll crack one of the tomato sauce bottle's or the corner flag, but maybe it won't. Maybe one will fly into the top corner, maybe the keeper will make a meal and you'll get a rebound, maybe it'll take a deflection, get a corner. Who knows, but don't just keep doing the same thin over and over again, and not even any faster when your one nil down and barely creating any chances.
Squizz
Guest
The Friday night game had as much tactical nous as an U10D game. Last night's game was a much better football game.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
The CCM game plan was to park TWO buses in front of goal and try to snatch a winner. That's it, that was the sum of their strategy. Over 60% possession to the Reds but they couldn't make it count. Was it a good advert for the HAL? Nup. The Friday night game was far superior as a spectacle.
Calum
Guest
If that happens it'll say a lot about the other teams. CCM played to their gameplan and certainly played with a lot more energy and dynamism in the 2nd half. But it was very limited. Adelaide looked impressive but actually had no end product whatsoever. The kept working the ball out to the wings, but it was so slow that every time the CCM defence had got themselves organised. Very poor. Was surprised how poor it was...
tree hugger
Guest
LOL. Is that you cool cats? Mariners played a fantastic game of football. Totally went out in the second half and played all over Adelaide. Another GF is coming for the Mariners. I can't see Brisbane beating Melbourne with so much time off and losing their last game. CCM to go back to back.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I remember at least 4 or 5. Maybe only 2 ended up creating strong goal chances but several others looked more dangerous than Adelaide ever did in possession. The first half was dire stuff but I really enjoyed the second half. Chances to both sides, bit of tension and Boogard reading that note was the funniest thing I've seen all season. The CCM v WSW semi should really be on sunday as I'm pretty sure MVFC have their champions league clash on Tuesday. But I guess they wanted Lang Park to be in the best condition possible as Brisbane are the premiers and should get every possible advantage.
Squizz
Guest
The Mariners were able to break in the second half because Adelaide were no longer able to foul them to break up their attacks since they had attracted so many yellows.
Calum
Guest
That was an embarrassing call by the ref. absolutely shocking decision.
Calum
Guest
Which mariners breaks were so good? There were a couple in the second half, where their strikers woke up and showed they have some penetration, but otherwise mariners were poor. No sympathy for Adelaide though. They way overplayed the ball. There is a defence between true passing football and point less passing football, and AU were very much the latter. Deliberate to the point of being ponderous, every attack was so overplayed it lost all it's impetuous. Overall a very bad advertisement for the a league.
Squizz
Guest
Suspect you are half right. CCM v MVC
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Very happy about that result. Would much prefer to play the Mariners than Victory. Let Brisbane work it out. As for the final I hope its WSW vs MV :D
AZ_RBB
Guest
Listless AU in that second half. Not sure what happened. Keen to see how good they are next season. Every CCM counter was sooooooooo good!
Alan
Roar Guru
Mariners once again one game away from their fifth A-League grand final after they defeat a poor Adelaide outfit 1-0. Ibini got the match winner. Adelaide finish the season poorly. They never looked likely to trouble the Mariners despite dominating possession. Mariners deservedly through. Can they defend their title? Thank you for your company tonight. Mariners 1 Adelaide 0
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Mariners 1 Adelaide 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Forgettable ending to a forgettable game really. Sterjovski and Mabil don't like each other. This has been a shocker to say the least! Mariners 1 Adelaide 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Reddy claims possession and he clears. Mariners are going to win. Argy Bargy now.... Mariners 1 Adelaide 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Pretty tough call here. Adelaide should have had advantage. Last effort on goal for Adelaide. Delivery comes in but its a corner for the Adelaide Mariners 1 Adelaide 0
Alan
Roar Guru
93' - Ferreira's cross far too strong. Mariners up against the Wanderers next week. Adelaide season comes to an end. They have been entertaining this season but not so tonight. Mariners on the break. Adelaide win the freekick though. Mariners 1 Adelaide 0
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Time running out for Adelaide. Mariners too solid and too clinical when it counted... Mariners 1 Adelaide 0
AZ_RBB
Guest
Fairly even first half. But second half has been all CCM. Disgusting tackle from Carrusca as i write that.