Will Sydney be hamstrung by Mariners at Bluetongue?
Both teams recorded wins last week, but in very different ways. Graham Arnold’s men played a much disciplined organised game to account for the Heart, while Sydney relied on a couple of brain fades from Perth Glory to gift them the points on a silver platter. Perth outplayed Sydney for much of the 90 minutes and deserved more, but football is about taking your chances and Sydney has done that this season. Central Coast is a very good team at home and will be looking to build on their current 3rd position.
Saturday Night 19:30 AEST Bluetongue Stadium
Formline – CCM WIN LOSS WIN Sydney LOSS WIN WIN
Head to Head – CCM 7 Wins Draws 7 Sydney 8 Wins
Erin Morrow rates the chances of her Central Coast Mariners (@Erin_Mariner)
In a closely fought match the Mariners were able to overcome the Melbourne Heart last weekend, not the least because of the Heart’s unfortunate battle with the loss of injured players. In a fairly un-inspiring contest the Mariners defended well and were able to take one of their few chances. The inspiration of the day was watching Pedj Bojic’s perfectly executed free-kick slide by the valiant attempted save by Clint Bolton and into the side netting. This superbly taken precision set piece was planned by the Mariners to take advantage of the Heart’s expectation that Patrick Zwaanswijk would attempt to hammer the ball with power, as he has so many times in the past. What a fantastic effort it was and no-one deserves more credit for effort than Pedj Bojic – not the most stylish footballer at times but a very effective right back and well loved Mariner never the less.
This week we return to fortress Bluetongue to take on the resurgent Sydney FC. After a wobbly start to the season Sydney are now coming off two straight wins and find themselves in the competition top 6 for the first time this season. With each game he has played, Alessandro Del Piero looks more the genius he is and he will be hard to stop at Bluetongue on Saturday no doubt.
There is a really exciting vibe around the Central Coast this week as we impatiently wait for the star of the A-League show to roll into town. People not normally interested in attending A-League matches are asking questions about tickets or buying large groups of them for their friends. Reports from our club suggest a “bumper” crowd is expected and for those of us passionate about our team, it is wonderful to hear discussions about whether the game could be a sell-out. For me, I would be over the moon if we could top 15k. The atmosphere for such a crowd at our award winning stadium is mouth watering to say the least. Back in year one Sydney brought many away fans for their games and some of those matches, along with an F3 Derby semi-final a few years ago were among the best atmosphere in our history.
I personally am super excited about my first opportunity to see a legend of the game play in front of me at my home stadium. Alessandro Del Piero is someone who I’ve admired from afar for years. If someone told me a year ago I’d be watching him take on my Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium I would have laughed heartily indeed! Now the opportunity is upon us and I can’t wait. Seeing the team I love and one of the most bankable names in world football strut their stuff at my home stadium all in one day? All I can say is Wow!
I don’t think this match will be a goal bonanza, but given the Mariners continue to move on without significant injuries in the squad, I expect they will continue their solid progression with a tight defence and an improving attack, by getting the 3 points.
Central Coast Mariners by 2
Boris Gligorevic looks at the chances of SydneyFC (@Gligsy23)
Last Round:
Just about inept. That’s the only way I can describe last week’s win against Perth Glory. There was nothing cohesive about the win and nothing impressive about it either.Sydneycan thank Steve Pantaledis for his concentration snapping and Danny Vukovic for his starting of the move for the winner. Perth, with even only 10 men on the park was far better and their improved passing was evident.
This Round:
It’s back to basics forSydneythis week. Pass and move, support players with the ball and more importantly, be determined. Be determined to get off to a good start. Be competitive. Have the want, need and desire to win.
Sydney was poor, including Alessandro Del Piero. Injuries may be hampering team selection but if I was Ian Crook, I’d be ringing in the changes as soon as the injured are declared fit. Fortunately forSydney,CentralCoastis not at their best either. From what I have seen, the losses of key players from last season seem to have brought them back a little to the rest of the competition. This is a perfect opportunity for Sydney to strike.
In defence, Seb Ryall continues to impress. Rhyan Grant backed up his derby performance with another solid outing. Trent McClenahan does not impress me at all. He needs to improve his awareness on the pitch and needs to show a better understanding of when to tackle.Perth’s goal last week came from him sitting off Travis Dodd, allowing Dodd to simply tap the ball in. Daniel Petkovski was solid in his full debut and although he made some mistakes, he will learn and be better for it. If Pascal Bosschaart or Adam Griffiths are fit, I would be rushing them back into the squad.
In midfield, Ali Abbas and Paul Reid are doing good work. Abbas has impressed with his ability to learn quickly in the role, as he is recognised as a winger. Paul Reid continues with his dynamic displays, doing the dirty work in tackling as well as distributing the ball better, allowing the forwards better freedom to do their work. Alessandro Del Piero was poor last week and he acknowledged he was injured. It was telling the difference his impact had on the game.
In the forward line, Brett Emerton had a decent game. I think Crook has settled now on him being on the right wing, rather than the right back spot. Mitch Mallia, for all his speed, seems to have little technique. He had less of an impact againstPerthand it is clear playing on the wing does not seem something he can adapt to. Hopefully Joel Chianese is fit again soon because I think he’s the better option there. Kruno Lovrek is hot and cold. He does not seem to be able to be consistent each week. AgainstPerth, he was slow, lacked movement and throughout the second half, came to a complete stop. Either he needs to get himself up to speed or Crook can bench Lovrek, put Mallia in his preferred role as striker and put Abbas on the left wing with Terry Antonis coming back into the midfield role.
Prediction:
This should be a close affair with a goal or 2 maximum, separating the two sides. Hopefully,Sydneycan perform to the same (or better) standard as they did in theDerbyor close to it. Otherwise Central Coast’s Tom Rogic could pick Sydney apart.
Possible Starting XI:
Necevski
Grant—McClenahan—Ryall—Petkovski
Reid—Abbas
Del Piero
Emerton—Lovrek—Mallia
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