Melbourne City may well wonder how they do not walk away with three points today. Look to three moments.
The latter two were Glen Trifiro’s stunning free kick at the second attempt. The second was of course John Hutchinson’s late equaliser.
But don’t forget the important save Liam Reddy from Jacob Melling’s bullet free kick in the 75th minute. Had that gone in, it would have likely ended 3-0.
Instead, the Mariners take a point, and didn’t the players celebrate akin to a grand final win!
FINAL SCORE:
Melbourne City 2-2 Central Coast Mariners
Melbourne City continue their post David Villa-resurgence as they return to a relaid AAMI Park to face the struggling Central Coast Mariners. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:00 (AEDT).
When David Villa’s 10-game guest spell was abruptly cut short, concerns were legitimately raised that Melbourne City was little more than a convenient Antipodean outpost that could be tweaked and mishandled at will to benefit the club’s more prestigious sister clubs in Manchester City and New York City.
Yet as Villa departed, so did it seem the circus, as Melbourne City registered their first win under their rebranded moniker at Brisbane last week. It was no lucky break either, as the club displayed a far more effusive and united presence on the field than anything they had mustered when the champion Spaniard was on the books.
The challenge now for John van’t Schip is to convert favouritism into results against a Mariners side that have failed to score in their last two matches.
What would have pleased van’t Schip the most was his side’s willingness to pile forward against Brisbane, with both David Williams and Mate Dugandzic enjoying stellar outings thanks to the vision and prowess of Aaron Mooy in midfield. However, Mooy’s call-up to Socceroos duty is a possible blow for City’s hopes of a continued revival, and a big opportunity for the visitors to exploit.
The Mariners begin the first of three crucial games in the next seven days, including a rescheduled meeting with Western Sydney Wanderers at Parramatta on Wednesday. The Mariners’ ladder position though makes it difficult for Phil Moss to consider rotation as a key stratagem for the next week, as points are needed in the immediacy.
While representing a useful opportunity to climb up the ladder, failure to win any of these puts the Mariners in a position where a late season surge is required to make the finals and cement a stake for the title.
Of course, title talk is premature so early in a season, yet a team that lost its midfield linchpin in Michael McGlinchey has struggled to find fluency this season. Against an upbeat Melbourne City on the road, the challenge becomes even harder for Central Coast.
Having failed to score in their last two games, the Mariners will need a solid showing from forward Mitchell Duke, who is likely to be alone upfront following Matt Simon’s injury against Perth last weekend.
Despite Mooy’s absence, Melbourne City can feel confident about overcoming the out-of-form Mariners at home.
punter
Guest
Exactly, you would think JVS could teach Williams & Marino to score or ways to gloat Reddy to ensure he didn't have a blinder.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Hahahahaha, no, it's just that under the diabolical leadershsip of JA we couldn't win to save ourselves but the limp and erratic performances under JVS have come back. Who would have thought that making a few personel changes but keeping the same coach (who has a win record of just over 30% !!!!!!!!) would miraculously turn around our fortunes. I'm sure we'll come good soon-ish.
Matt On the Ball
Guest
you are a Rookie , the Heart would have lost that last year
Stevo
Roar Rookie
That was typical Heart crap :( Soooooooo disappointing.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Can't wait for that match. I have a feeling the Aussies are going to step up. Tomorrow will be a short respite from football. Might try and be productive with my life :P
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
What a game!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Melbourne City 2-2 Central Coast Mariners I'll be back on Tuesday evening to bring the Socceroos final friendly before the Asian Cup, as they face Japan. Join me at 9pm AEDST. Until then, it was a thriller at AAMI Park, and it ended Melbourne City 2-2 Central Coast Mariners
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Melbourne City 2-2 Central Coast Mariners TABLE AFTER 6 GAMES PLAYED Perth Glory (15pts, +3) Adelaide United (14pts, +5) Melbourne Victory (12pts, +8) Sydney FC (12pts, +5) Wellington Phoenix (9pts, +1) Melbourne City (6pts, -2) Central Coast Mariners (4,-3) - Five games played Brisbane Roar (3pts, -2) - Five games played Newcastle Jets (2, -9) Western Sydney Wanderers (0, -6) - Four games played
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Melbourne City 2-2 Central Coast Mariners Melbourne City may well wonder how they do not walk away with three points today. Look to three moments. The latter two were Glen Trifiro's stunning free kick at the second attempt. The second was of course John Hutchinson's late equaliser. But don't forget the important save Liam Reddy from Jacob Melling's bullet free kick in the 75th minute. Had that gone in, it would have likely ended 3-0. Instead, the Mariners take a point, and didn't the players celebrate akin to a grand final win! FULLTIME: Melbourne City 2-2 Central Coast Mariners
jamesb
Guest
Holy crap! CCM have equalized at the death! Love the a league.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+4: What a shot by the captain, who took the layoff from the edge of the box, and his shot was speculative, but it was well placed past a diving Andrew Redmayne. The whistle is up, and the home fans are irate. No fault of the referee, this was an A-League classic. This is a point for the Mariners, but do not underestimate the regenerative potential this may have for their season. What drama! FULLTIME: Melbourne City 2-2 Central Coast Mariners
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+4: YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE IT! STAGGERING! JOHN HUTCHINSON SCORES! TIME WAS UP, IT WAS THE FINAL THROW OF THE DICE, AND IT IS A POINT! 2-2
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+3: Wrong option by Cernak, who in fairness, may have lost his footing while attempting a cross. The ball rolls into Redmayne's arms at his near post, and that may be that. Despite Trifiro's stunning free kick, this is a fifth straight loss for the Mariners, unless something dramatic happens in the next few seconds! Melbourne City 2-1 Central Coast Mariners
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+2: Lovely footwork by Duff to sidestep two yellow shirts, before himself runs out of room. The Mariners need to go Route One and forward to rescue this. Melbourne City 2-1 Central Coast Mariners
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+1: Three minutes added, as that old chestnut of passing it back to the cornertaker/sideline thrower results in easy offside decision. A waste there by the Central Coast. Melbourne City 2-1 Central Coast Mariners
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'89: The Mariners work it patiently in the City half, before Vernes tries his luck from range. However, the strong shot did nothing more than to hit his own teammate Fitzgerald in the stomache. Regardless, Fitzgerald was offside. Final minute of normal time. Could we be in for an extra-time thriller? It's been a great game of football. Melbourne City 2-1 Central Coast Mariners
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'87: Worth remembering that City scored a third goal last week in Brisbane after the Roar scored after trailing 2-0. They will rely on a similar plot here to thwart a resurgent Mariners effort. Melbourne City 2-1 Central Coast Mariners
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'85: The free kick is dealt with by the Mariners, and Paulo Retre will come on for Jacob Melling, who has been central to the action in the last 10 minutes. His work is now done, and all he can do now is watch and hope. Melbourne City 2-1 Central Coast Mariners
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'84: Melbourne City get a free kick, with the foul given away by Cernak for jumping over Melling. It's another presentable chance to target Reddy. We can praise Trifiro's goal, but don't forget the crucial save Reddy made to keep it to two only following Melling's superv shot only minutes before. If the Mariners can get a second, that will be a moment we look back on. Melbourne City 2-1 Central Coast Mariners
jamesb
Guest
Finally they score.