The Central Coast Mariners will need to produce something special away from home to defeat Sanfrecce Hiroshima and qualify for the Asian Champions League knockout stages. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:00pm (AEST).
The Mariners are one game away from back-to-back A-League grand final appearances, but their Asian Champions League destiny is on a tightrope after last week’s defeat.
Phil Moss’ men now need a win away from home to give themselves the best chance of progressing past the group stages of the ACL. Standing in their way are Sanfrecce Hiroshima, a team keen for revenge following a surprise 1-0 defeat to the Mariners early in the campaign.
With little room for error for both teams, tonight’s contest should be tight. The gap between the A-League and J-League has narrowed considerably if this season’s results are anything to go by.
The Central Coast side certainly have the attitude needed to cause the upset. The Mariners always seem to conjure up results when their backs are up against the wall and it certainly is tonight away from home.
Sanfrecce are expected to perform well at home en route to securing the three points. With this in mind, Hiroshima should dominate possession.
The Mariners, however, are at their best when playing on the counterattack, as demonstrated in their 1-0 finals win over Adelaide last week.
Adelaide dominated possession but hardly created any chances of note, and were made to pay dearly when Bernie Ibini scored the winner after a neat counterattack by the Mariners.
The Mariners have played plenty of football over the past few days, so fatigue may get the better of them here. Hiroshima should do enough to earn the win, but expect the Central Coast to go down fighting.
Hiroshima to win 2-1
Reginald Bomber
Roar Guru
What a shame, so close again but now only 1 of 3 A-League clubs - WSW - through to the knockout stages and increased prize money. You have to win your home games in this competition, because its a huge mountain to climb to spend a day travelling to Japan or Korea and try and take the game to them and win. I think we've done a whole lot better this time around and have learnt a great deal for next year's ACL and should attack it with increased confidence. We'll be following the fortunes of Poppa and WSW now and wish them all the best - do an Adelaide and make it to the final at least.
Alan
Roar Guru
Reddy disappointed but he was the Mariners best tonight.
Alan
Roar Guru
Well done to Hiroshima tonight as they secure a 1 nil victory over the Mariners who are out of the ACL. The Mariners were well outplayed tonight and only poor finishing kept them in this contest. Reddy solid in goal yet again for the Mariners but he could do nothing to prevent a deflected freekick from finding the back of the net. Mariners have been admirable but Hiroshima too good. Thanks for your company tonight and join us tomorrow morning for Real - Bayern! Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
93' - Duke with a shot from distance but its well over the bar. Freekick for the Mariners. Reddy with the delivery but the keeper claims for Hiroshima. Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
91' - Mariners with the throw who finally begin to show some urgency. Hiroshima goal keeper nearly loses possession to Caceres! Boy that was too close for comfort. Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
89' - Reddy tries to find Duke with the clearance but the keeper claims possession. Mariners ACL campaign coming to an end here. Time becoming an enemy. Sim clears yet another dangerous low ball in the area.Throw for the Mariners now. Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Morisaki with the great chance earlier to seal the win for Hiroshima after he sent his shot over the bar. Hiroshima the better teams significantly but poor finishing keeps the Mariners on life support. Shot blocked and its a corner for Hiroshima Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE HIROSHIMA - Hiroshima press well and win back possession. Long ball though claimed by Reddy. Mariners build from the back. Long ball headed away. Poor shot and Reddy saves easily. Another shot goes over the bar!!!! Chance gone begging again after Hiroshima produce yet another turnover!!! Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
83' - Mariners with a rare venture forward. Hiroshima with numbers back. Rose with a poor delivery and the ball goes out for a goal kick. Better play from the Mariners. Cernak off for Duke Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Kyle
Guest
Does Hiro look like they will be adding another now that Mariners have to push for a goal?
Alan
Roar Guru
81' - Hiroshima still very comfortable in possession here. Mariners not pressing at all. Been disappointed with the Mariners tonight. Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Mariners need an equaliser otherwise they are out. Still time on their side. Long ball not going to trouble Hiroshima Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - To be fair Hiroshima deserve the lead. They have created all the chances and the Mariners have paid for their inability to build pressure and control possession. Mariners head the delivery away.
Alan
Roar Guru
The ball at the back of the net...
Alan
Roar Guru
Shiotani credited with the goal but there was a deflection before the ball found the net. Yamagishi the last man who touched the football before scoring. Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Freekick deflected in but they all count. Mariners at this stage are out of the ACL. Now they need to chase the game with ten men! Hiroshima 0 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
GOAL HIROSHIMA Hiroshima 1 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Sorry its not a penalty, its a freekick just outside the box! My bad! Hiroshima 0 Mariners 0
Alan
Roar Guru
RED CARD MARINERS - Its all Hiroshima here. Penalty to Hiroshima! Red card for Griffiths!!!!! Hiroshima 0 Mariners 0