Central Coast Mariners have kissed their 12-game undefeated A-League Men streak goodbye after losing 3-1 to Sydney FC.
The Sky Blues’ star midfielder Anthony Caceres ran rampant in Saturday’s wet-weather skirmish, notching an assist before finding the back of the net himself at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford.
Extending their own unbeaten run to four games, Sydney have slipped back into the top six, leaving second-placed Central Coast to reckon with their first loss since November.
The visitors burst from the blocks when Rhyan Grant capped a headed pass from Caceres with a header of his own to draw first blood in the fourth minute.
Rattled, the Mariners’ defence began to unravel and they fell further behind four minutes later.
Caught in a pack of four defenders, Caceres outdanced his opponents to slide the ball home past goalkeeper Daniel Vukovic to make it 2-0 with less than nine minutes on the clock.
Far from finished, the 31-year-old then tore forward to deliver Sydney’s third goal in 20 minutes.
Caceres fired a pass towards the unmarked Patrick Wood in the box only for Mariners defender Dan Hall to stick his boot out and divert the ball into his own net.
Wood, returning from a one-match ban for a red card, could have made it 4-0 before halftime after picking up the ball off a failed Vukovic pass just in front of goal.
But the young striker missed from point-blank range, sending the ball crashing into the outside of the net with a right-footed shot.
The Mariners finally broke through when Angel Torres made the most of a brilliant reverse pass from Storm Roux in the 58th minute but it was not enough to get them back in the match.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Sure why not? Could be a sellout.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
they’re fair questions but you already know the answers. Interim or not depends on Ben’s health. From the little I’ve heard, he’s unlikely to return to a demanding role like head coach anytime soon. Player signings have been explained by Roar management, not one individuals decision and no longer coach’s call. They’ve made it clear they look at character qualities as well as player qualities, fit for Roar, something that’s been overlooked in the past (and we’ve carried a lot of duds esp on visas). The signing of Bereunger and Rojas and Jellecic are all new management signings. Ben’s left two big holes to fill, let’s hope they get the right person for the academy (they’ve got some quality kids). I might add, those three signings and other players all speak very highly about club management and vibes among staff and players. They’re young guys, mistakes will be made but they’re slowly turning the club around, against a lot of rough currents. Game day experience alone, is a vast improvement on preceding seasons, marketing and pushing kids tickets, all much better. Hang in Waz.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Grand Final in NZ?
Waz
Roar Rookie
Nah, they don’t get off that easy. I do like the new coach though (if they keep changing them I was bound to like one eventually). The questions are: Is he an interim or not? Who’s calling the shots on player retention? Who’s making the decisions on player signings for next year? Who’s running the Academy?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
has been over several years, under new management recovery is under way, a rocky road but it's on the move as evidenced by the performance and squad last night
Waz
Roar Rookie
“That the club is incompetently run and look like a basket case compared to normal football standards” Still stands :stoked:
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
could well have been 8-4 What was that you were saying before Waz?
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The thing that counted for Sydney FC they got the ball in the back of the net with the early pressure other times they have done it they didnt get the rewards. The thing that was unexpected was that Caceres header, the power he got on it and it was in the precise direction and thankfully Gomes missed it as well. The second goal I though Caceres might have pulled the trigger earlier and went too wide making the angle difficult but his finish was exact. Caceres the conditions were difficult for everyone else with everyone slipping around but he seemed to be twinkle toes and light on his feet. Sydney press was very good , Caceres as usual leads it , Wood and Holman were the others that excelled in that. The Wood miss maybe it was the surface maybe he was tired in the end who cares and he did do the dummy that got the ball to Caceres for the second goal. Wood gets permanent fame on a historic day of hijinks and they got the three points. Lolley it was like he was on rollerskates. I am not sure why Courtney Perkins doesn't switch to play center back ,Hayden MAthews was struggling for condition in the second half,
NoMates
Roar Rookie
SFC were good, CCM seemed like stun mullets after the first goal and Sydney really took it to them. Great win from a side that has been a hit and miss this season and it means Wellington stay on top with some clearance.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Fantastic pressure by Sydney. Forced the Mariners to make plenty of early mistakes. I’d love to see both teams in the Grand Final.
Grem
Roar Rookie
If Caceras played like this every week, he’d be a Socceroo. He’s always had the class, but his work effort under Talay has increased significantly. Hopefully Burgess is ready to add some more pressing to his game. When I saw Sydney’s team on paper, I was quite sure the Mariners would be too strong. That was a great game from Sydney and they are now looking like challengers to the title. It’s an interesting season because I still don’t think WU are a bad squad and they’re in last place.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Peak A-league this round. Scores, misses, great goals. The bestest little football league in the whole world :stoked:
Waz
Roar Rookie
5-1. That is all. :silly: