Brisbane Roar will be looking to move back into the top 6 with a win against the Central Coast Mariners at Gosford today.
Join The Roar for live scores of the match between the Mariners and the Roar from 5:00pm AEDT.
After losing to Melbourne City two weeks ago, and relinquishing their spot in the top 6 to them, the Roar will be looking to gain revenge by taking the position back today.
A win against the Mariners – after City drew with Perth last night – would put them back into the top 6 on goal difference.
For the Mariners, the top 6 remains a focus and they need to win today to keep in touch. A win by them would move them to within three points of City.
With both teams having three matches in the next week, a result today is also important. A win can provide both teams with a big confidence boost heading into the other two matches.
The focus is on today though and the three points on offer. It is also an important game for the Mariners and their fans fight against moving away from Gosford.
Today is the first match at home since the clash against Melbourne at North Sydney Oval. Since that 3-0 loss to Melbourne the fans, and the fans club, have been campaigning to get as many people as they can to Bluetongue Stadium.
They want the fans, and the club, to recognise there future is at Gosford. To do that they need a large turnout, and a good performance from the club for fans to turn up and then return later in the season. Asking for that will be tough with the form the Mariners are in.
They have not won a game in 11 matches and have only picked up 3 points in the last 6 games. The club needs a result soon.
The Mariners have included three players for the match. Jacob Poscoliero and Isaka Cernak have been promoted to the squad with Nick Montgomery returning from a calf injury. Michael Neill is the only out so far with a foot injury he suffered last week against the Glory.
The Mariners were unlucky at times against the Glory last week. They controlled play for the first 30 minutes of the match, but once they conceded the first goal they couldn’t come back into the contest. Goals and defence have been a big problem for them this season.
The Mariners have the worst attack in the competition, only averaging 1 goal in every 283 minutes of football.
When you combine that with the Mariners being third for goals conceded, it is clear to see why they are struggling for results this season.
They need to improve in both areas to turn around their season.
As for the Roar, they head into the match without their skipper, who left for Thailand.
Last week Matt Smith played his last game for the club before going to Bangkok Glass in the Thailand Premier League.
Now the Roar is without their captain and their best player – Thomas Broich – for this match and the foreseeable future.
Thankfully their vice-captain – Shane Stefanutto – is back from injury. He will take the captain’s armband for the match against the Mariners.
He is one of three inclusions to the squad with Devante Clut and Shannon Brady promoted to the team for the clash. For Matt McKay – who plays his final match before the Asian Cup – he will become the record games holder for the club today.
Today is his 163rd match for the club which beats the 162 by Massimo Murdocca who was a foundation player for the Roar.
Since the Roar sacked Mike Mulvey on the 23rd of November, Brisbane have improved and found results. In four matches under their new coach the Roar have won 2, drawn 1, and lost 1.
At Gosford the Roar have a great record against the Mariners. In ten years of matches the Roar have only lost twice on the Central Coast.
That is an impressive record by the Roar and it is one that cannot be ignored when looking at today’s match. With the way the Mariners are going, and the recent form of the Roar, it is hard to see the Mariners winning today.
The Roar may be missing some key players but they still have enough talent on the pitch to beat the Mariners. It promises to be a big match between two teams who are desperate for a win.
Prediction – 2-1 Roar
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
That is all from me today. Thanks for joining in on the coverage. I'll be back over the next few days with another blog. Until then it is bye for now.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
THOUGHTS Well that was a game and a half of football. For the first 44 minutes, it was pretty dull, as both teams struggled in the final third of the pitch. After the first goal though, which ended the first half, the game went to another level. The Mariners, fighting for their season and their life in Gosford, responded like a Central Coast team from the previous few years. They attacked and played as a team to get back into the game. Suddenly, through two goals to Simon and Bosnar, they were in front. This lifted the crowd, and suddenly the Mariners looked good for the win. Then Brisbane responded and equalised through Donachie. In the final ten minutes, it was chaotic, as both teams scored one more goal and tried to find a winner. Unfortunately for both they couldn't and they had to settle for a draw. While the game was fantastic for the spectators, and the media, both teams will be unhappy about their defence. Some poor defending led to the goals and at least three of them were scored by players who were on their own in the box. For the Mariners, Simon and Fitzgerald impressed. Both were instrumental in the comeback by the Mariners. For the Roar, Donachie, Brown, and Solorzano were excellent for Brisbane. Solorzano got back to the form which saw him lead the Roar in goals in 2010/11. For both teams the point is a good reward for a good contest between the two teams. While both will be disappointed not to win, they can at least take some confidence heading into the next two matches before the Asian Cup.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
STATS - Possession - Brisbane 53% Central Coast 47% Shots - Brisbane 13 Central Coast 15 Shots on target - Brisbane 4 Central Coast 10 Passes - Brisbane 514 Central Coast 449 Tackles - Brisbane 20 Central Coast 19 Fouls - Brisbane 9 Central Coast 10
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Full stats and debrief to come shortly.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
FULL TIME - In one of the best games of the season so far the Mariners and the Roar play out a 3-3 draw. BRISBANE 3 Solorzano 45' & 81' Donachie 71' CENTRAL COAST 3 Bosnar 56' Simon 63' Seung-Yong 80'
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
93' The ball is in the Mariners half.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
91' Mariners go on a lovely play down the left hand side of the pitch. Duke then has the ball and has a shot for goal. It is a terrible shot. He copes a mouthful from Phil Moss and Matt Simon BRISBANE 3 CENTRAL COAST 3
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
90' 4 minutes of added time.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
89' YELLOW CARD for James Donachie. The Mariners have a chance to win the game with a free kick.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Not bad during the Boxing Day test. Need to start cracking 5 figures though.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
88' Is there one more twist in the tale?
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
86' CROWD - 9,932
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
84' Seung-Yong also got a yellow card for his celebration after scoring the third goal for the Mariners.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
83' Are you kidding me Donachie. What a stop by the defender. Young is out of position and the Mariners have a shot for goal. It beats everyone except for Donachie, who heads the ball out for a corner. BRISBANE 3 CENTRAL COAST 3
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
83' Neither team deserves to lose this game.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
81' THIS IS A CLASSIC. Petratos holds the ball up nicely inside the box. He passes to Bowles who puts in a nice cross across the goal. It beats every player in the box, except for one. Solorzano gets the pass and has an easy tap in. It is his second goal for the game. BRISBANE 3 CENTRAL COAST 3
jamesb
Guest
This is turning out to be one of the matches of the season.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
81' GOAL FOR BRISBANE
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
80' This game is out of control. Great pass from Mitch Duke finds Matty Simon. He smashes the ball towards Young who is forced to deflect the ball. It fall to Seung-Yong and he scores his first goal for the season. THE MARINERS HAVE THE LEAD. CENTRAL COAST 3 BRISBANE 2
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
80' GOAL FOR THE MARINERS