Central Coast Mariners had to settle for a point on opening night of the 2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
A close-fought Round One matchup with last season’s Grand Final opponents saw chances from open play at a premium. Bruno Fornaroli’s missed penalty was the major moment in front of goal in the match.
There was plenty of drama elsewhere, with referee Alireza Faghani at the centre of attention, but getting everything right on the night with the help of VAR.
Jason Geria was shown a red card for a challenge on Alou Kuol on the half hour mark, but after a check it was rescinded and a yellow shown instead, with the challenge not as bad as it first looked.
In the second half, Roderick Miranda was shown a yellow card for a high foot that caught Mikael Doka on the back of the head, but after a VAR review, it was upgraded to a red for dangerous play.
The Mariners pushed to break down Victory’s 10 men for the final 20 minutes of the game, but just couldn’t find the finishing touch, Bailey Brandtman going closest.
Line-Up
Starting XI: Peraic-Cullen (GK), Kaltak (C), McCalmont, Kuol, Doka, Feijao, Mauragis, Roux, Steele, Tapp, Edmondson.
Substitutions:
67′ ON: Ngor OFF: Feijao
74′ ON: Brandtman OFF: Roux
86′ ON: Eames, Duarte OFF: Steele, Edmondson
Unused subs: Warshawsky (GK), Kuzevski, Paull
Dylan Peraic-Cullen’s starting debut would make him the youngest goalkeeper to ever start a Mariners game at 18 years and two months old, breaking Maty Ryan’s record which was held for 14 years and he marked it with a clean sheet.
In front of Peraic-Cullen, Bradley Tapp slotted in seamlessly to centre-back alongside captain Brian Kaltak.
Haine Eames’s debut off the bench was another historic moment for the club, as the 16-year-old became our youngest ever player.
There were also starting A-League debuts for Alfie McCalmont, Vitor Feijao, as well as an A-League bow for Sabit Ngor off the bench, whilst a total of seven Mariners Academy graduates featured in the game.
First Half
An action-packed first half began with an early chance for Ryan Edmondson. Doka’s cross from the right found the Englishman but he headed over the bar.
There was an early booking for Ryan Teague for a trip on Kuol, before Victory’s first sight of goal came on five minutes but Zinedine Machach dragged his effort wide.
It was a cagey first-half for a long spell, with neither side wanting to give up the opening goal. There was a big moment on the half hour mark as Jason Geria was initially shown a red card for a challenge on Kuol, but after a VAR review Alireza Faghani rescinded the red and awarded a yellow card.
Peraic-Cullen made a smart save down to his left to deny Nishan Velupillay, the only real action either goalkeeper faced in a cagey first half.
On the stroke of half time, Victory were given the perfect chance to take the lead when Bruno Fornaroli was awarded a penalty. He stepped up himself but fired his effort off the post.
Second half
Peraic-Cullen was called into action early in the second half as he made a great save to deny Velupillay, before being perfectly positioned to head clear, out of his box, moments later.
Fornarli threatened again with a shot from range, firing over and Machach followed suit moments later, but Peraic-Cullen was untroubled for the remainder of the game.
The turning point in the second half when Miranda was shown a red card for a high foot on Doka and the Mariners would dominate from that point, but just couldn’t find a breakthrough.
Jacko introduced Bailey Brandtman on 74 minutes and he went close three times, curling two efforts just wide of the post before dancing past the Victory defence and putting a ball agonisingly across the face of goal.
McCalmont then had the final shot of the game but couldn’t keep his effort down from the edge of the box.
The Mariners return to AFC Champions League Elite action on Tuesday evening, travelling to China to take on Chinese Super League leaders Shanghai Port.
You can follow the game with live updates on Official Central Coast Mariners channels, with the game also shown on Paramount+.
