It’s the Central Coast Mariners at home in Gosford, hosting the Brisbane Roar, for a Saturday night fixture that still, surprisingly, has finals ramifications. Join us for live updates at The Roar from 7:50pm.
This is a match that’s all about perspective, in that you can decide whether it’s a glass half-full or half-empty kind of game.
Is this a battle in the race for sixth spot between 7th and 8th, or is it a bottom of the table battle between teams who are equal-second-last?
Welcome to the A-League, season 2017-18.
Central Coast will be favourites for this contest, being at home, and off the back of a strong drawn contest with Sydney.
They’ll be thinking that they have a great chance to take the points against an opponent who played mid-week, and amazingly, force their way into the top six.
Brisbane will be reeling, because you have to ask, which is worse: having your jerseys fall apart on the international stage, or losing to a team from the Phillipines? Don’t actually answer that, because the answer doesn’t matter. The fact that the question is even being asked is bad enough.
So for Brisbane, the key aspect for them tonight: redemption, because they should have a point to prove.
And the funny thing about this comp is that they are still in the race. Sydney are the only team at this point guaranteed to be playing in finals, and even Newcastle, for all the success they’re enjoying this season, are not set in a top six finish. So anything can happen.
Brisbane will also be weary of backing up from the mid-week debacle, and trying to stay focused for all 90 minutes, something they have not yet done this season.
Prediction
Central Coast all the way here tonight. They’re fresher, and in far better form. The home field advantage is just the cream on the cake.
Brisbane, as old as they are, will be even more exhausted, and I can’t see them inflicting any damage on anyone other than themselves, so if their jerseys stay in one piece tonight, it’ll be a success of sorts for them.
Central Coast 2-0.
j,binnie
Guest
Lionheart - As I've said to you before, you and your wife are the lifeblood of the game and I hope you never stop "supporting'. Me?, I'm more of a "student "of the game and can never forget that for every Man.Utd, Barcelona,and Real Madrid, there are also Leeds United,and both Glasgow Rangers and Celtic ,who have slipped from positions of dominance to an "also ran" status, that ,upon investigation,can be blamed on poor management practices.. Some recover ,most don't , and that's what worries me about Brisbane Roar. Cheers jb.
Lionheart
Guest
Okon was arguing with Jamie Young post game. That seemed a silly place for a coach to get himself. Apparently it was about the Brama incident, but why was Okon involved post match?
Lionheart
Guest
Joe Caletti is the one I think, but he's still got a way to go.
Lionheart
Guest
You mean if more fans complained earlier JB? They've enjoyed some success, fans don't care then, or notice I suppose. I think we have to distinguish between complaining about club management and supporting the team. Fans have been complaining about club management for years, and rightfully so. Personally, I've written or emailed the club several times over the years, but the day I stop supporting the players/team is the day I find another club.
Tired Legs
Guest
Seeing that there's not a mariners fan commenting here thus far - better do it. On balance Roar deserved the points, being marginally the most purposeful in what was a truly poor contest. Some relief for the Aloisis & fans but considering that both goals were gifts I wouldnt get too carried away. They're still but a shadow of their former greatness. From the Mariners point of view, what worried me the most was the frustration (friction?) i saw between players, & what seemed to be disagreement within the coaching staff. Hope Im wrong, they obviously have a stack of on-field issues to work through. Did anyone else notice this?
Billbo
Guest
Yep the midfield is a massive problem for the Roar. Right now I cannot see who in the younger brigade who will transition into the midfield and forwards. Surely, there must be a few early 20s players in the metro leagues who have enough talent and can brought upto grade. This should have happened last year when it was clear that Broich, McLaren and Barrello would likely move on. Very poor management by the football department and some harc decisions to come.
Billbo
Guest
Yep the midfield is a massive problem for the Roar. Right now I cannot see who in the younger brigade who will transition into the midfield and forwards. Surely, there must be a few early 20s players in the metro leagues who have enough talent and can brought upto grade. This should have happened last year when it was clear that Broich, McLaren and Barrello would likely move on. Very poor management by the football department and some harc decisions to come.
Billbo
Guest
Papadopolous gets 6 weeks fof spitting and hurting someones feelings. 12 weeks minimum for this thug who tried to end an opponents career. If the FFA doesn't make this happen then it will add to the hopelessness most feel about this organisation. The introduction and operation of the VAR and the scheduling of matches on thursday and monday nights has highlighted how far removed from what the fans want from the A-league. It is now time for a clean out and restructure of the FFA and thd A-league. I'll make a daring suggestion, drop the final series and replace it with a knockout cup for Aleague teams. Promote the premiership as the prestigious title to win. Then have a cup comp at the end of the season for some extra excitement. Can I also add that only the '"Champions" from each league should compete in the ACL, not 2nd, 3rd also rans.
j,binnie
Guest
Lionheart - Second question - Have you never suspected that "silence" from loyal fans may be at the root of Roar's problems ,which stretch a bit further back than the problems being experienced by the present regime?. Could it be that if this "silent majority" spoke up more often, those hard gained fans of yesteryear would still be adding their support to today's team.? Food for thought . Cheers jb.
KJ
Roar Rookie
To an extent, however the Roar are on the same points as WSW who have 2 games in hand.
Lionheart
Guest
all true JB, but hey, I'm a supporter, got to see something +ve. They get some credit for those goals - McKay reacted quickly for the first time this season, and passed accurately throughout. They could well have scored early on too, with a nice cross from Brown. The day comes where all I can do is criticise every game, I'll stop being a supporter.
j,binnie
Guest
Lionheart As a devoted fan don't you ever wonder why Thomas Kristensen was ever allowed on that field yesterday. Pre- match we had the coach telling us that the day before they had had an "intense" training session and had come through it well, and yet here we had a player ,not 5 minutes on the field,sitting down holding his heavily strapped thigh. Result- one substitute down and the game hardly started. The two goals that won the Roar the points were hardly well engineered moves, but rather junior football errors by the opposition. The stats posted on this report say it all. CCM had 11 shots at goal ,with only 1 on target. Roar had 8 shots at goal with only 2 on target. Hardly a bust y day for goalkeepers is it?. Cheers jb.
j,binnie
Guest
Fad - Couldn't agree more and, hate to say it ,but of the four goals scored in yesterday's games 3 of them were made possible by "howlers " you would be hard pressed to see down at the local park in a kid's game. If these displays are an indication of the "new wave" that football is supposed to be riding then watching Sydney FC playing should become a "must" for the rest of our coaching fraternity. Goals are the aim of the game,and goals are what fans want to see, but most definitely not the "Christmas present" type of offerings dished up yesterday. Both these teams,Roar and CCM, have a problem ,despite what the pundits who report on our game say. The teams ,between then, have played 36 games this season so far, and have managed to score only 39 goals. Compare that to the 2 leading clubs in the table, Sydney and Jets, who between them have, in their 36 games , netted 81 goals. If that doesn't "tell it as it is" what will? Cheers jb.
Lionheart
Guest
So Roar wins, but both their goals were gifts from Mariners. Mind you, despite what Fox said, they did create several chances and came so close a few more times. They defended well I thought, and they needed to because Mariners created a fair number of chances themselves. Brama foul was ugly. Roar midfield needs rework for next season.
Fadida
Guest
Terrible game. Total lack of quality.
perry cox
Roar Guru
It's not an easy job Kanga. But somebody has to go it!
perry cox
Roar Guru
Equal second-last one minute, into finals position the next. Welcome to the A-League 2017/18
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time Brisbane have shown the type of fight and character that characterises Australian football, with a strong, gritty, and ultimately fruitful win at their happiest away hunting ground in Gosford. The 2-1 result to the Roar was thoroughly deserved, and despite what some have called the worst week in the club's history, 90 minutes later, they are on a high and in the six. Brett Holman was inspired early, as he infused his play with energy and creativity, ultimately earning a well taken goal after a Melling error in defence for the home team. Mariners tried their best to come back, with De Silva coming into his own having a team to run in the absence of Andrew Hoole. However, it would be Brisbane who extended their lead early in the second half, when Ben Kennedy kicked straight to the Roar captain, Matt McKay, who finished for a rare goal in his career. The Mariners did well to come back into the game and make it 2-1 with a cracking goal of their own from Powell after Brama and Wales set the play up, but that was all the Mariners could offer, their horror home form against Brisbane remaining intact. The game at times seemed evenly poised, however for the most part, Brisbane were the team that always look the most likely. The game ended poorly for Central Coast after Brama had a brain explosion and was lucky not to severely injure Corey Gameiro, and saw red for his troubles. The vision of Gameiro screaming in agony on the ground is a look that this beleaguered league does not need replayed. Brisbane have eased pressure on their coach, Aloisi, and will enjoy a night in the six. For Okon and the Mariner, questions will be asked about their stamina in the back, while Okon will face scrutiny over the exclusion of Hoole, who was watching on in the stands. What were your thoughts Roarers? Let us know in the comments section. Central Coast: 1 Brisbane: 2
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
Roar into the top 6
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time 97' - And Papadopoulos is clear, after a corner for the Mariners lands at his feet. He tries to lay it off, he should have shot! Ref has blown full-time. Central Coast: 1 Brisbane: 2