Melbourne City
1
Match Complete
Central Coast Mariners
0
| 89' |  | M. Ruhs | ||
| 79' | | G. Kuol | ||
| R. V. D. Venne | | 73' | ||
| 53' | | B. Nkololo | ||
| C. Talbot | | 49' | ||
| J. Maclaren |  | 39' | ||
| 12' | | M. T. O. Lemos |
| 16 | Shots | 6 | ||
| 7 | On Target | 4 | ||
| 10 | Fouls | 9 | ||
| 2 | Corners | 2 | ||
| 5 | Offsides | 3 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 4 |
The talent-laden Melbourne City face the high-flying Central Coast Mariners in what looms as the A-League match of the round. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEDT).
AAMI Park hosts first and fourth on the ladder when the Mariners head south in an effort to move equal top with Melbourne City and continue a run that has seen them become one of the most enjoyable teams to watch in the A-League.
Solid wins against Sydney FC and Newcastle have the Mariners riding a wave of form and the goals just keep coming for Nick Montgomery’s young and talented squad. No team has scored more than the Mariners’ 18 in season 2022/23 and City will need to be watchful at the back against a team that is never dead and always looking to play attacking and proactive football.
There are few concerns around the form of the home side, with just a lone loss to Sydney FC blotting their copybook this season and five strong wins have them sitting atop the ladder with games in hand of the teams chasing them down.
Despite the appalling scenes at AAMI Park in Round 8 and the subsequent injury to goalkeeper Tom Glover, the squad appears to have mentally recovered from what would have been a harrowing experience, and the number one looks set to take up his position between the sticks against the Mariners tonight.
In team news, Nuno Reis is back for the home side, yet Florin Berenguer misses with a hamstring complaint. The Mariners have named an unchanged squad for the clash with the form of Brian Kaltack, Marco Tilio and Sam Silvera a talking point, around a team taking significant momentum into the middle part of the season.
Prediction
Logic suggests this will be an extremely attacking encounter, with the class of Mathew Leckie, Jamie Maclaren and Tilio up against the raw and youthful attack of the Mariners, with veteran Jason Cummings there to provide the level head around which the youngsters can function.
Picking a winner is far from easy in this one, with City certain to start well and the Mariners seemingly the fittest team in the league, based on their aptitude in second halves.
It looks like a home win though, with City holding firm at the back with a defensive discipline that other teams have failed to maintain against Central Coast earlier in the season.
Game information
Venue: AAMI Park Melbourne
Kick-off: 5:30pm (AEDT)
Streaming: Paramount Plus
Betting: Melbourne City $1.65, draw $4.10, Central Coast Mariners $4.60 – odds via PlayUp
Stevo
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Mariners look a different side with Nisbet, his is constantly on the move, and finding spaces, and covering the whole ground.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Deserved victory. But can we bring on winter football please !
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME Thanks for being on board for the game and be sure to stick with the Roar for all the remaining action tonight. Final Score Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME Jamie Maclaren's goal proves the difference and City extend their lead at the top of the A-League ladder. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME Melbourne City win a gruelling encounter in the heat of AAMI Park. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+7 Mariner throw with seconds remaining. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+7 Central Coast are caught off-side' Jok again I think and City have the free kick in defence. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+6 Galloway down the right and the shot on his left is over the bar. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+6 City now shifting and in control in midfield. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+5 City win a throw on the far side and Central Coast are throwing everything at them late, as exhausted as they are. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+5 The ball falls for Maclaren and he is in behind the defence......off-side called against Maclaren. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+4 City managing this well as the seconds run. Central Coast throw the long ball forward and Ruhs goes down.....no free kick and City have it back. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
89'
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+3 Finally the Mariners get it out of there and have the throw. City back on the ball in midfield. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+2 City keep the ball in the corner and then win the throw in. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+2 City throw on the far side and Jok concedes the corner. Well worked by City. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+7 There will be seven additional minutes. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' City with a long angled ball to the left wing. It crosses the line and the Mariners have the throw. Gomulka on for Bos. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
89' Nice control from City as Galloway goes down. Ruhs is booked. Melbourne City…………….....1 Central Coast Mariners……..0