The Grand Final is just 90 minutes away. Don’t miss this sudden death battle as the Mariners go all out for Glory.
Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory Saturday 14th April, 5.00pm
The Grand Final is just 90 minutes away. Don-t miss this sudden death battle as the Mariners go all out for Glory.
For the second week running, Gosford hosts a face-off for a place in the Grand Final. Following last Sunday-s gallant defeat to Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners get another chance to book their place in the season-s climactic last match.
With in-form Perth Glory standing in their way, this is certain to be another absolute belter of a game, so get along to Bluetongue Stadium one last time this campaign and cheer your team towards silverware.
Of course, the Mariners would rather not be playing this qualifying game at all, but were always facing an uphill challenge last weekend against Brisbane Roar.
Two goals down from the first match-up, they found their task virtually impossible after just two minutes of the return leg, when Thomas Broich hit the back of the net.
A second Brisbane goal looked to have killed the tie but the Mariners showed the kind of passion and spirit that will give the Yellow Army plenty of reasons to be hopeful that they will still make the Grand Final.
Rather than dropping their heads against Roar, they battled their way back into the game and levelled the scores though Patrick Zwaanswijk and Adam Kwasnik. With an hour to play, it was game on.
Alas, despite going full-throttle for the win, creating plenty of chances and having a strong penalty appeal turned down, it wasn-t to be, and the Queenslanders took the wind out of the home side-s sails with Henrique-s killer goal.
In contrast to the Mariners, Glory reached this stage of the play-offs thanks to winning a five-goal thriller. It took extra-time for the Western Australians to triumph by the odd goal against Wellington Phoenix last Saturday at nib Stadium and leave them one game away from their first ever appearance in a Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
In a topsy-turvy tussle, Perth took the lead through Bas van den Brink's early thunderbolt, before the New Zealanders turned the match on its head through strikes from Chris Greenacre and Manny Muscat.
Billy Mehmet's 72nd-minute goal sent the game to 30 minutes of nerve-jangling extra time, during which Todd Howarth's 112th-minute finish was enough to take Ian Ferguson-s men through, much to the joy over 13,500 noisy fans. What a thriller!
Of the three meetings between the Mariners and Perth in the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season, the Yellow & Navy have the upper hand, with two wins. However, the last time the two teams came together - just last month - Glory grabbed a 1-0 victory at nib Stadium.
Not only that, but they go into this crucial clash in blistering form, having smashed ten goals in three straight wins. With the Mariners having only won three from their last eleven, this one is incredibly hard to call and much will depend on how the home side handles the potent Perth attack.
With a place in the season-s biggest game just 90 minutes away, which club will prevail? Will the Central Coast get a shot at the double, or can Perth reach their first final?
Get yourself a ticket to this intriguing battle and make your contribution with unprecedented noise from the stands. Your team needs you. Stand up and be counted!