The Roar's A-League Men tips and predictions: Round 26 - the jostle for finals positions is on in earnest
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
The emotion in his voice shows the passion and frustration Paul Okon is feeling, as the near misses accumulate in his first season as Central Coast A-League coach.
For the second home game in just over a week against one of the big boys, the Mariners scored twice, but couldn’t get a win.
Against unbeaten ladder leader Sydney on Sunday, they came from 2-0 down to 2-2, only to concede a minute after equalising.
To make things worse for Okon, there was a significant offside doubt over Sydney’s winning goal from David Carney.
On New Year’s Eve they conceded a late penalty as Melbourne City escaped Gosford with a 2-2 draw.
Defensive lapses continue to prove costly for Central Coast, whose tally of 31 goals against is the most conceded by any of the ten teams.
They haven’t won in six games and only hapless defending champions Adelaide are keeping them off the bottom.
“It’s two games games now where we’re really disappointed with the result and we’ve played two of the powerhouses of the competition, the belief is there,” Okon said.
“We just have got to keep working, there is no secret formula to getting results.
“It’s at the key moments of games where we have to be better, otherwise we’ll just not win football games.
“We will work hard and create opportunities and have people that can score goals and we have threats going forward.
“If we’re going to give away cheap goals against any opposition then you’re not going to win games and be in front and try and control the game.
“Chasing it, we’re capable of doing it, but I’d rather be sitting there watching the opposition chasing for once.”.
Sydney and former Mariners coach Graham Arnold seemed relieved to be leaving his his old stomping ground with three points and paid tribute to Okon’s side.
“You’ve got to give the Mariners full credit for the way they played,” Arnold said.
“I think Paul, (Okon) would hope they play like that every week.”
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Central Coast Mariners' star striker Angel Torres has been stood down from playing in the A-League Men after he was charged with sexual assault. …
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The Mariners must deal with possibly their toughest challenge yet - Kyrgyzstan’s FK Abdysh-Ata Kant in the first leg of the semifinal.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.