A stunning late goal from 16-year-old midfielder Haine Eames was the difference as Mark Jackson’s Central Coast Mariners were 1-0 winners over Wellington Phoenix in a pre-season friendly on Sunday.
Giancarlo Italiano’s men pushed us all the way in the race for the Premiers Plate last season, with two intense, close-fought encounters during the season ending 0-0 and 2-1 to the Mariners.
This friendly was no different. An interesting tactical battle saw Phoenix create some chances of their own but the Mariners dominated the game on the whole, unable to find the breakthrough until the youngest player on the pitch came up with the deciding moment late on.
The current Central Coast Sports College student was introduced on 72 minutes alongside fellow scholar Arthur De Lima, two of five teenagers on the pitch for the Mariners at full time, including goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen who started and played the full 90 between the sticks for the first time this pre-season.
The 18-year-old Australian Youth international keeper was kept on his toes by Phoenix, but dealt calmly and confidently with everything thrown at him, including a big one-on-one save in the first half.
Line-Up
Starting XI: Peraic-Cullen (GK), Kaltak (C), Kuol, Doka, Feijao, Mauragis, Steele, Herrington, Tapp, Kuzevski, Edmondson.
Substitutions:
46′ ON: McCalmont, Ngor, Paull, Brandtman OFF: Kuol, Feijao, Herrington, Tapp
60′ ON: Roux OFF: Doka
72′ ON: De Lima, Eames OFF: Kuzevski, Steele
78′ ON: N. Smith, Duarte, R. Smith OFF: Kaltak, Mauragis, Edmondson
80′ ON: Wilson OFF: Ngor
Unused subs: Pavlesic (GK), Warshawsky (GK), Rose.
First Half
The Mariners were on top early on created two great chances for Ryan Edmondson. First, he was played in behind the Wellington defence by a brilliant pass from Sasha Kuzevski, but couldn’t quite guide his effort on target with the outside of his foot.
The Englishman saw his next effort crash off the underside of the bar as a mistake in possession from Wellington went unpunished on this occasion. After great work from Harry Steele to win possession, Alou Kuol unselfishly squared to his strike partner, with Phoenix players rushing back onto the line, Edmondson went for power and was unlucky to see his effort bounce down and away from danger.
At the other end, Peraic-Cullen was called upon for the first time from a Wellington corner, as an in-swinging delivery was flashed into the near-post area, Peraic-Cullen was on his toes and did well to gather right underneath his crossbar.
His biggest save of the game came on the half hour mark as he was quick off his line to close the angle and block Hideki Ishige’s shot. Pheonix’s new signing from J1 League side Gamba Osaka was their liveliest player on the day and would be denied again before half time as Peraic-Cullen dived at his feet, perfectly timed, to claim the ball.
Again, Peraic-Cullen’s decision-making and timing was perfect, as a cross from the right was destined for the head of Kosta Barbarouses, before the 18-year-old came and punched clear.
Second half
As both managers rang the changes at half time and throughout the second half, the flow of the game wasn’t quite the same as the first half, but the Mariners still found themselves on top.
Substitutes Sabit Ngor and Bailey Brandtman both had efforts from range comfortably saved by Josh Oluwayemi, but there would be nothing Nix’s new goalkeeper could do about Eames’ strike later on.
Will Wilson was heavily involved in the goal, winning back possession with an interception in the Nix’ half before exchanging passes with Alfie McCalmont and Brandtman, a neat touch from Brandtman found Eames in space and he didn’t think twice before unleashing a rocket into the top corner.
There was little time remaining when Eames’ strike hit the back of the net but the Mariners still almost got themselves a second goal, Wilson’s pressure forced Oluwayemi into a mistake, but the former Tottenham goalkeeper recovered to deny De Lima his second goal in as many pre-season matches.
The Mariners face just one more friendly before we are back in Isuzu UTE A-League action at Our Paradise on Friday 18th October, with Melbourne Victory the visitors for what promises to be a huge opening night of the season.
Be there on opening night and for the rest of the season, with an Official Mariners Membership.
