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 Western Sydney Wanderers have enjoyed the fruits of a dominant first half to leave Gosford with the three points, thanks to a 2-1 victory over the Central Coast Mariners.
Two first-half goals to Jaushua Sotirio and Oriol Riera were ultimately enough for the Wanderers to bank the three important points, and put them back into the top six.
The Mariners were disjointed at best and disinterested at worst in the first half, and you wondered if they were aware that their season was indeed still alive. The Wanderers were pressing in attack, solid in defence, and alive in the middle, to create enough chances to win at least two games.
When Sotorio volleyed home a corner, and Riera shot a bullet header for the first two goals of the game, the lack of response from the home side would have been concerning to Okon.
Things did not look much better in the second half for the Mariners, though they eventually lifted to get into the game. When Blake Powell made way for Petros Skapetis, the impact was immediate, as Skapetis headed home for the Mariner’s opening goal, to make it an exciting finish.
Mariners continued to press, as the Wanderers appeared to stop, however the finishing simply was not there for the Mariners, highlighted by Trent Buhagiar shooting from a gettable area int he last minute of the game, but failing to hit even the target.
A deserved win ultimately for the Wanderers, and with that game in hand, if they can grab those points, might even see them shoot up the ladder. For the Mariners however, yet another week of soul searching, to try and find a way to get this season on some sort of track.
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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.