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Mariners narrowly beaten by J1 League giants Vissel Kobe

Central Coast Mariners fell to a devastating 3-2 defeat to Japanese giants Vissel Kobe on Matchday Five of the AFC Champions League Elite Group Stage.

The Mariners came into this game looking to build on a point last time out in the ACLE against Shanghai Shenhua, as well as a first Isuzu UTE A-League win this weekend against Newcastle Jets.

Vissel Kobe on the other hand, were coming in off the back of an Emperor’s Cup Final success over Gamba Osaka.

Leading the East Group in the ACLE with three wins and a draw ahead of kick-off, whilst also topping the J1 League with two games remaining, there was no doubting that Vissel presented the Mariners’ toughest test yet, but Jacko’s side matched the Japanese side for long periods and can once again come away from a difficult ACLE match with their heads held high.

The decisive moment in Kobe came in the 81st minute as Daiju Sasaki’s strike proved too hot to handle for Dylan Peraic-Cullen, after the Mariners had fought back from 2-0 down to level the scores.

Line-Up

Starting XI: Peraic-Cullen (GK), Kaltak (C), McCalmont, Kuol, Doka, Feijao, Mauragis, Roux, Steele, Paull, Edmondson.

Substitutions:
63′ ON: Theoharous, Brandtman OFF: Feijao, Edmondson
86′ ON: Ngor OFF: Steele

Unused subs: Pavlesic (GK), Warshawsky (GK), N. Smith, Herrington, Kuzevski, Eames, Scicluna

First Half

A cagey first half saw chances at a premium, with Vissel Kobe dominating possession but the Mariners keeping them at bay until the 40 minute mark.

The opening goal came through the half’s only shot on target, and came just after the Mariners’ brightest spell which saw Brian Kaltak’s well-struck volley blocked amongst a series of Mariners corners.

Five minutes before the break, though, Vissel broke the deadlock from a set-piece. A dangerous in-swinging delivery was flicked on at the near post by Takuwa Iwanami before his centre back partner Kikuchi headed in from close range.

Second half

A bizarre first 10 minutes of the second half saw Vissel double their lead as a deep delivery unfortunately came off Storm Roux and into the Mariners goal.

The Mariners then responded strongly with Vitor Feijao going close with a diving header, before getting a foothold back in the game through another own goal.

Roux, after scoring at the wrong end, then forced an own goal at the other as his cross was sliced into his own goal by Hotaru Yamaguchi.

Our resurgence in the game continued as Ryan Edmondson and Alou Kuol both saw efforts crash into the side netting, before Alfie McCalmont saw an effort from range, destined for the bottom corner, blocked.

The equaliser came from Brandtman on 74 minutes, the 19-year-old making it two goals in two ACLE games, slipped in by Mikael Doka before seeing his effort deflect past Shota Arai in the Vissel goal.

It would be a heartbreaking end though for the Mariners, with Sasaki’s effort finding a way past Peraic-Cullen for what proved to be the winner.

Next up:

Jacko’s team have no Isuzu UTE A-League fixture this weekend, with a BYE in Round Six, meaning there is a full week to prepare for another ACLE clash against Japanese opposition.

We host Yokahama F. Marinos, 7pm kick-off at Our Paradise next Tuesday, with the match providing an extra special occasion as we welcome back club legend and record appearance holder John Hutchinson, currently managing the J1 League club.

Meanwhile, you can still get your Mariners fix at Our Paradise this weekend as Emily Husband’s unbeaten Ninja A-League team take on Canberra United in the first standalone women’s fixture in Gosford this season!

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