Sydney FC coach Steve Corica says his side needs to take a look in the mirror after the Central Coast Mariners condemned the Sky Blues to a 2-0 loss and their worst start to an A-League Men’s campaign in more than a decade.
In front of a crowd of 6037 at Gosford Stadium on Sunday, the Mariners claimed the three points courtesy of a two-minute blitz in the first half with goals from Marco Urena and an Anthony Caceres own goal handing Nick Montgomery’s side the win.
The defeat leaves last year’s grand finalists with just two draws from their opening four games and Corica’s side, who have scored just twice in the league this season, struggled to find a way through the resolute Mariners defence.
Corica stormed down the tunnel at fulltime and said his side had some urgent rethinking to do.
“We weren’t anywhere near where we should be and we gave away cheap goals,” he said.
“We were second to everything. We do have enough quality in that dressing room to turn it around.
“There is a lot of hard work and looking in the mirror to do. That’s everyone from myself to the players and the coaching staff.
“I’ll speak to the players when I’m a bit calmer. They know what I expect from them.”
The Sky Blues were stunned by the Mariners’ electric start and by the time they registered their first shot on target the Central Coast had gone two goals up and 25 minutes of play had passed.
Right-back Harry Van Der Saag was dispossessed by Oliver Bozanic, Moresche was able to drive forward down the left flank and fed Urena in the box.
The Costa Rican took one touch and was able to slot a cool finish beyond Andrew Redmayne in the 14th minute.
Barely two minutes had passed from Urena’s celebrations and the Central Coast had doubled their lead when Lewis Miller’s cross was turned in by Caceres with Moresche breathing down his neck.
“We’ve started every game this season on the front foot and we knew they had a game midweek,” said Montgomery, whose side moved into fifth spot with their second win of his tenure.
“Our mindset is always to start well and maybe we can put a bit of doubt in their mind.
“Sydney threw everything at us, so today is just one game. It’s early in the season, but we just hope to carry on as normal and hopefully we’ll get a few boys back from injury.”
Corica made a triple substitution after the break as he brought Elvis Kamsoba, Trent Buhagiar and Patrick Yazbek on for Bobo, Milos Ninkovic and Max Burgess.
All three fired to offer a point of difference and Sydney’s hunt for an elusive win goes on.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
SFC's squad is too old while BR's squad is too young. Is that why they bottom?
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
Central coast the way thrashed Sydney FC in the first half goes a long way to say they have a well drilled team and I think they can finish in the top 4.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
Sydney fc you never write them off,its just way to early in the season.Steve Corica has Knack of telling his players either play the way I tell you to play the Sydney way or you will get dropped.They will start roaring very soon.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I’d say most of us could write down 20 or so phrases that will be recycled at just about every press conference after games. Mostly they are a total waste of time and effort and are filled with cliches, hackneyed phrases and platitudes. SFC have to have a good look in the mirror and meanwhile in western Sydney, the coach decided to take one for the team. Still, we haven’t yet heard about any games of two halves or teams not turning up. Don’t watch or listen is the only answer I can come up with - and that takes less effort than paying attention.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
I laugh when I hear losing players or coaches utter “we will have to have a good look in the mirror”. BS waffle. Perhaps however Little Stevie thinks that a mirror image of the score will reverse the result to a 2-0 win to his side. Thoroughly enjoying Sydney FC slide own the table. Long may it continue. Not so much arrogance from them at the moment.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Corica has uncovered a lot of talent this season, it was impressive the way the young brigade in the second half came on and looked good. Kamsoba is the buy of the season. Cheap unwanted and now one of Sydneys best. The old brigade though look washed up. Wilkinson has hit new lows, Burgess got a yellow card bringing down a player with Wilkinson backpedalling in front oh him. The dads army starting line up was easily dealt with.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Years. Nick Montgomery’s been with the Mariner’s family for years.
Waz
Roar Rookie
* 5 games
Brendan
Roar Pro
The Mariner’s seem to be performing well for Montgomery - that’s respect. Plenty of proud academy players on the field, most, being influenced by their coach, who has been directly involved with their progression for years. This is a club about to bloom. A club that’s proactively planted the seeds of success.