Dramatic comeback earns Mariners a point against Chinese giants

Central Coast Mariners came from two goals down against Shanghai Shenhua to earn a dramatic point in the AFC Champions League Elite.

19-year-old Bailey Brandtman got the all-important equaliser deep into stoppage time, acrobatically finishing after Nathan Paull’s header.

The game was goalless at half time despite Mariners dominance, but Shenhua found themselves 2-0 up just after the hour mark after goals from Andre Luis and Yu Hanchao.

Haine Eames and Sabit Ngor came off the bench on 70 minutes, combining just three minutes later to halve the deficit as Ngor latched onto the 16-year-old’s through ball before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home.

The comeback was complete in the 95th minute when another substitute in Brandtman struck a memorable first senior goal, earning the Mariners a deserved point.

Line-Up

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

Substitutions:
57′ ON: Kuol, Brandtman OFF: Feijao, Edmondson
70′ ON: Ngor, Eames OFF: Herrington, Kuzevski
85′ ON: Wilson OFF: Steele

Unused subs: Pavlesic (GK), Warshawsky (GK), N. Smith, Roux, R. Smith, Scicluna.

First Half

The Mariners dominated the first half with the CSL runners-up unable to register a shot on target. Mikael Doka had the first notable Marines effort, a dipping shot from the edge of the box which was fumbled but gathered by Bao Yaxiong.

Brian Kaltak then saw a bullet header crash off the crossbar on 21 minutes, connecting with Alfie McCalmont’s cross after a short corner from the Mariners.

Sasha Kuzevski had a chance minutes later but couldn’t keep his shot down, before a spell of chances from set pieces where the Mariners were looking particularly dangerous.

On 28 minutes, Diesel Herrington forced a save from Bao with a header from a Doka free-kick, before Paull had an effort blocked from the resulting corner.

The Mariners ended the half on top but still couldn’t force the opening goal, Ryan Edmondson seeing a header once again saved by Bao before Vitor Feijao had a shot blocked from inside the box.

Second half

Against the run of play, the visitors opened the scoring through their star forward Luis, the Brazilian expertly placing the ball beyond Dylan Peraic-Cullen from the edge of the box.

It was 2-0 just after the hour mark with an almost identical finish, Yu this time curling home to double the visitors lead and delight the strong travelling following from Shanghai.

The Mariners hit back though, with some inspired substitutions from Mark Jackson as Eames threaded through to Ngor just three minutes after the duo were introduced.

Doka had a chance on 88 minutes, dancing into the box after some brilliant build up play from the Mariners but he couldn’t find a finish.

The home faithful might have thought that would be the final chance but in typical Mariners fashion, the boys dug in until the end and got their reward with a minute to go in stoppage time.

Paull once again won the first header from a set piece, nodding it down into the path of Brandtman who brilliantly finished his first Mariners goal.

Next up:

The Mariners are back at Our Paradise in just five days time as we host Wellington Phoenix.

Jacko and the team will be looking to build on a fantastic first point in the ACLE this evening, as well as a solid start to the Isuzu UTE A-League season.

Get your tickets now!

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