The Mariners are back in action just two days after the match against Melbourne Victory and will return to AAMI Park, this time to face Melbourne City in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s.
This fixture has brought mixed success for the Mariners as of late who come into this match, having picked up two points in their last three matches. It is the perfect opportunity for the club to prove doubters wrong after they leaked a goal beyond 90 minutes in each of the last three matches.
Melbourne City currently sit at the top of the table one point behind Western United and come into this match after strolling to a 3-0 victory against Newcastle Jets on Friday night with Marco Tilio running riot. Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo is enjoying the recent upturn in form that has come following most of his side contracting the COVID-19 virus.
For the Mariners, they have been looking to find ways to get new singing Jason Cummings involved more in the game who already has two goals to his name in just four matches. Marco Ureña is also finding the route to goal tough as of late despite sharing the top of the goal-scoring charts with Ollie Bozanic, however he has provided the creative spark on so many occasions, most recently for the Yellow and Navy against Perth Glory last Sunday.
In the previous meeting between the two sides, the Central Coast Mariners were impacted heavily by COVID-19 after five of their players picked up the virus on the day before the game and were forced into isolation. In the end, the 90 minutes went ahead, however Melbourne City were too strong for the young team fielded on the day, running out 3-1 winners at Central Coast Stadium. This time round however, the likes of Dan Hall, Josh Nisbet and Jason Cummings will all be available for selection and pose a serious threat to the City goal.
At AAMI Park, the Mariners last win came back in March 2014 against the then Melbourne Heart when Nick Montgomery, now Head Coach, in the starting eleven. Since then, the wins for the Mariners have come at Central Coast Stadium where they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 last season in an instant A-League classic.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Nick Montgomery was buoyant of a positive result.
“We don’t fear playing anybody, we are happy to go play anywhere and I feel we have been unlucky in our last game at AAMI Park.
“Everybody’s fit and available. Obviously it’s a quick turnaround and we have to look at maybe rotating some players but we always are going to put a starting line-up that is going to go out there and win the game.
The action from AAMI Park kicks off at 7:55pm AEDT and you can catch it all on Paramount+.
Match Details
Melbourne City v Central Coast Mariners
Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s MW8
Tuesday 22nd February 2022
Kick Off 7:55pm AEDT
AAMI Park, Melbourne, VIC
Broadcast Live on Paramount+
Tickets: Click Here
