Central Coast Mariners were beaten 3-0 by Wellington Phoenix on a frustrating Sunday afternoon at Our Paradise.
The Mariners had the lions share of possession and created 21 shots, 10 on target but failed to find a way post Joshua Oluwayemi in the Nix goal.
Hideki Ishige’s stunning free-kick, followed by Kosta Barbarouses’ close range finish saw the visitors in a strong position at the break, before Sam Sutton added a third in the second half.
Line-Up
Jacko named an unchanged starting eleven to the side that drew with Chinese giants Shanghai Shenhua in midweek.
Diesel Herrington made his first A-League start after debuting in Round Three against Perth, whilst Sasha Kuzevski retained his place after two strong performances in the last week.
Starting XI: Peraic-Cullen (GK), Kaltak (C), McCalmont, Doka, Feijao, Mauragis, Steele, Herrington, Kuzevski, Paull, Edmondson.
Substitutions:
46′ ON: Kuol, Ngor OFF: Feijao, Herrington
65′ ON: Eames, Brandtman OFF: Steele, Edmondson
82′ ON: Roux OFF: Kuzevski
Unused subs: Warshawsky (GK), N.Smith
First Half
Kazuki Nagasawa had the game’s first shot but it was comfortably gathered by Dylan Peraic-Cullen. At the other end, threatening crosses from Alfie McCalmont and Mikael Doka went begging before Pheonix took the lead on 15 minutes, just as it looked like the Mariners were getting on top in the game.
Alex King harshly penalised Brian Kaltak for handball. Ishige stepped up and whipped an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner, giving Peraic-Cullen no chance.
It was a strong reaction from the Mariners who looked for an immediate equaliser, Kuzevski saw a shot saved by Oluwayemi before Feijao fired over from just inside the box and Doka saw an effort from range fly over the crossbar.
However, Wellington doubled their lead on 34 minutes, hitting on the counter attack as Ishige raced clear and squared to Barbarouses for tap in, the goal initially disallowed for offside against Ishige but given after a VAR review.
Again the Mariners looked to respond, Doka shooting on target on 43 minutes but it was a comfortable save for Oluwayemi.
Second half
The Mariners came out brightly, McCalmont curling an effort over the crossbar and half time substitute Sabit Ngor looking lively, but Wellington were ruthless on the break again as Sutton made it 3-0 on 52 minutes.
It would clearly be a huge uphill battle from here for the Mariners but they battled on, Jacko introduced Bailey Brandtman on 65 minutes and he came as close as anybody to beating Oluwayemi.
He had his first sighter on 72 minutes, before arguably the Mariners’ best chance of the game a minute later, Oluwayemi spreading himself to make a fantastic save in the box.
The Mariners kept pushing for a way back into the game until the final whistle, Brandtman and Doka both seeing shots from the edge of the box comfortably saved by Oluwayemi, as the Nix held tight for a clean sheet and their first win at Our Paradise since 2021.
⏭ Next up at Our Paradise
The Men’s international break means Jacko and the team have no game next weekend, before returning to A-League action with a Friday night clash against our F3 rivals Newcastle Jets at Unite Round.
For more information on Unite Round, visit aleagues.com.au/unite-round.
The next Mariners action at Our Paradise is on November 30th as our Ninja A-League team takes on Canberra United.
Jacko’s side are next at home on December 3rd, taking on Yokahama F. Marinos in the ACLE, before hosting Sydney FC in a huge A-League clash on December 8th.
Get all your tickets via ticketek.com.au, or secure your membership by clicking below.
