The Central Coast Mariners host Sydney FC at Central Coast Stadium for Round 6 of the A-League. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEDT).
When you are still searching for your first win of the season, the last thing you need is the champions arriving at your door. Unfortunately for Central Coast, the search for an elusive three points does not get any easier tonight.
The Mariners will be kicking themselves for not picking up a win over the past two weeks. They failed to put the Victory away when they had them on the run, and will be frustrated at not getting on the scoresheet after some of the chances they created in last week’s game against Brisbane.
Surely Paul Okon is working his team on their finishing and attacking play, for it really is that area of the game where they are not clicking.
They are a good side in between the boxes but it’s at both ends of the pitch where they need to improve.
Daniel De Silva was in the thick of the action last week – here’s hoping he brought his shooting boots, after some wayward finishing last week. Connor Pain scored a cracking goal in the last game in Gosford and the Mariners will be looking for him to provide an attacking threat down the left wing. Consistently inconsistent would be a fair description of Pain but he does have moments of magic, as he showed against Victory – maybe a moment of magic will get the Mariners over the line tonight.
Sydney, on the other hand, picked up an ugly win last week away to potential title challengers Melbourne City. They say en route to winning a championship there will be times when the beauty of your football is irrelevant and winning a game when you’re not at your best is the real secret to success. So these are ominous signs for the rest of the league if that is the case, as Sydney showed how championship-winning teams get the job done.
Brandon O’Neill and Josh Brillante were dominant in the middle of the park and the Sky Blues will be looking to them to dictate the tempo to ensure Sydney control possession. If they get a grip on the game and start feeding the talented attacking options in their ranks, it could be a busy night for Mariners keeper Tom Glover.
Prediction
Sydney to carry on where they left off last week – they simply have too much all over the park.
Sydney 3-1 Mariners
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
The 2 dutch boys can sure play, they dictated the game I felt. Both very comfortable on the ball and technically both very good.The biggest thing that impressed me about both was the intelligence they showed at different times in the game, weight of pass, when to press, things like that. Sydney have a bit of soul searching to do this week. They nedd the Polish playmaker back and soon.
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
Match Report Central Coast Mariners 2 Sydney FC 0 Well if your going to get your first win of the season then what better way to do it than knocking off the Champions.Paul Okon will sleep easy tonight after his side produced a commanding display against all the odds and predictions beforehand, including my own. It wasn't until the Mariners went 2 goals up and had a man sent off that Sydney decided to have a go and for them it wasn't enough. After a sticky opening period of both teams trying to gain control of the game it was Central Coast who settled the quicker, they were having the better of possession and working hard off the ball to stifle Sydney's attempt to get the ball down and play. Sydney's game plan seemed to be playing long balls into Bobo and to get men around him to pick up the ball and play in more advance positions. On the handful of occasions that it worked they lacked any real quality. Josh Rose was dealing with Carney with relative ease and Alex Brousqe couldn't get anywhere near the involvement that he would of been hoping for. The Mariners controlled the game from the middle of the park and Hiariej and Bouma were outstanding throughout the game, their passing was linking the team together and the workrate they showed went a long way to stopping Sydney falling into any rhythm. The goal on 19 minutes came from disposing Sydney of the ball in the middle and breaking, it was quick interplay that done the damage as De Silva, Pain and Asdrubal cut Sydney open to put Hoole through on goal and he didn't disappoint with his finish as he coolly slotted the ball past Redmayne. The second half started without Asdrubal as he went off with a heel issue and was replaced by Appiah. The game continued on in the same manner with Central Coast continuing to be the dominant side. Sydney had no spark about their play all night and Arnold will be unhappy at his side reaction to going behind. It was on 55 minutes that Jake McGing lost his man from a corner and powered a header in off the bar and it felt from that early in the second half that the game was up for Sydney. The reaction we were expecting didn't come until Spanish defender Baro was dismissed for his second yellow and from there the Sky Blues finally found their second wind. Buijis had a volley saved and Wilkinson headed onto the post but it never really felt the they were going to get anything from this one. Call it complacency or a bad night at the office but that would be doing a disservice to the Mariners who were full value for the win. The relief was evident all around Gosford when the whistle went as the Mariners claimed a big scalp and their first 3 points.
punter
Guest
Well done Mariners, those 2 Dutch midfielders are pretty special, they play a nice brand of Football. Sydney awful, you are right Fadida, Brosque huge decline this year, Wilko also showing age, 2 nil down & you bring Simon, yeah, shows what a poor bench we have. Arnie, you can't keep grinding out wins, we have played some poor teams this year, but Mariners has proved too good.
Midfielder
Guest
Its been coming gee we played well tonight.... The win was no fluke and an early hand ball by Sydney when they were cut open went unpunished and we did not drop our heads... That first goal was pure class... Happy Middy tonight...
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
I wouldnt hold my breath, the FFA are liked a stunned mullet and just sit in the big boys chair twiddling thumbs. The game is crying out for some proper leadership and direction . It feels like its at a roadblock at the moment and if I were the FFA you would only have to look at the crowds to see a decline in interest this season. I just want to yell at them ...DO SOMETHING... PLEASE...ANYTHING AT ALL ... wer slowly dying here.
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
I think they just had an off night tonight, they some talented players in their squad especially Ninkovic and they missed Mierzejewski badly in the middle of the park. The sooner they get him back the better as he has real quality. O'Neil and Brillante couldn't get a kick tonight and let the Mariners midfield control the game. I still think they will be up there but time will tell which one of us is correct. I totally agree with you on the Mariners. I have probably been a bit harsh on them in the past but in the last 4 games I have seen them in pure football terms they have been the better side in all those games but have lacked concentration at vital times at the back or not been clinical enough in front of goal but tonight they got all aspects of their play to come together. Onwards and upwards for them and hopefully for their fans they can turn the corner and wipe the last 2 seasons from memory.
Redondo
Guest
It's no wonder they're looking to get Ferreira.
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
That high line against pace was a strange way to go about it. Wilkinson and Buijis should of dropped off but then again if they did the midfield was so poor tonight it would of gave De Silva and Hiariej more space to dictate and control the game.
Nemesis
Guest
Maybe, Sydney has not hit their straps because they really aren't that good this season? By contrast, CCM have been playing well & it was just a matter of time before everything clicked & they won a game. CCM should've beaten MV a few weeks ago & maybe got the 3 points against WSW. They're definitely the team that has played the best football this season - albeit I missed their opening match, which must've been a shocker, because I was on my way to the stadium in Melbourne
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
He was not a happy man tonight, you could see his frustration early on.Always has lovely touches but the pace of the game went by him tonight.
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
They have just found ways of getting the job done but not hit their straps yet. Remind me of a Chelsea, just grinding out wins.
Redondo
Guest
Brosque has been ponderous so far this season. Really looking his age.
Fadida
Guest
Sydney exploited by pace and it won't be the last time this season. Brosque is on the decline, Wilko slowing down, Wilshire very exposed to speed. Grant is a huge loss. And when 3 goals in 50 games Simon is the answer, what is the question?
Nemesis
Guest
Sydney produced the same quality as previous 5 matches. Finally, they played an opponent who was able to expose them.
Redondo
Guest
Looked like they wanted to get home early for tomorrow morning's game. Flat. But Mariners have some good footballers who'll make Hoole and Pain look good.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Wow! Well done Mariners 8-)
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I'm fired up :) :) :)
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
Bad night at the office for the Champs
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
Come on Stevo... keep a lid on it :)
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
Yeah they have played well the last number of weeks without being clinical. Good to see them get the win. Sydney were well below par. Matt Simon goes hand in hand with launching the ball, he is the A Leagues answer to Fellaini, It was last resort tactic but didn't work tonight. Mariners defended which has been an Achilles heel.