The Central Coast Mariners have sensationally kick started their Hyundai A-League 2008/09 campaign with an inspiring 4-2 triumph over the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium this evening.
The Central Coast Mariners have sensationally kick started their Hyundai A-League 2008/09 campaign with an inspiring 4-2 triumph over the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium this evening.
Substitute Dylan Macallister-s brace in addition to goals from Matt Simon and Mile Jedinak emphatically secured the Mariners their first win of the new season in a fixture that also marked the keenly anticipated return of Mariners goalkeeper and guest player Mark Bosnich to competitive football.
Charlie Miller-s free kick and a sharp penalty from Sergio Van Dijk ensured that the Roar would push the Mariners up until the final whistle, but the yellow and navy weren-t to be denied their breakthrough win and a place in the top four after three rounds.
While all eyes were on Bosnich in his Hyundai A-League debut, it was the Mariners- competitive edge, clinical nous and football quality throughout the ninety minutes that was most noteworthy.
Boosted by the unmistakable return of Qantas Socceroo and season three Mariners Medallist Jedinak and the presence of new face Macallister on the bench, the Mariners were perhaps as strong as they have been all season.
However, the visitors were dealt a tragic blow when attacking lynchpin Ahmad Elrich was withdrawn from proceedings with just twelve minutes played with a suspected anterior cruciate ligament tear that is likely to sideline the Australian international for the remainder of the season.
Elrich-s misfortune aside, tonight was a defining evening for the Mariners – who having claimed a valuable win against the odds away from home against a side fancied by many to challenge for honours this campaign, have truly ignited their season four charge.
“That was great, we had an under strength team again after we lost Caceres through a back strain yesterday and Elrich early on and we felt as though we-d been unlucky in the last couple of weeks,” said Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna.
“Credit goes to the full squad, they did their job when Queensland had the ball and we scored some great goals.”
As is so often the case at Suncorp Stadium, the match began in a frantic fashion and it was the Mariners that came closest early on despite the hosts shading their opponents in terms of possession and time in their attacking half.
Simon, ever the menace up front for the visitors, outpaced and outmuscled counterpart Danny Tiatto to manufacture an unlikely chance that was destined for the back of the net if not for a goal line clearance from Roar defender Luke Devere.
While Devere would foil Simon on this occasion, it would be the latter laughing loudest by half time.
Two weeks after registering his first Hyundai A-League strike, Simon showed the very determination that has made his contribution to the Mariners so invaluable over the past two seasons when chasing down a seemingly dead ball that looked certain to land in the hands of Roar ‘keeper Liam Reddy.
Not to be denied, Simon won possession and burst past Devere and his stranded custodian team-mate before capping his endeavour with an amazing left footed finish from a near impossible angle.
The Mariners have so often been the subject of a second half barrage from the Roar on previous Hyundai A-League visits to Suncorp Stadium and the best possible remedy to the home sides expected attacking flurries came from Jedinak just three minutes into the second stanza.
After midfield partner John Hutchinson was fouled on the edge of the penalty area by Hyuk-Su Seo, Jedinak stepped up and slammed a fierce drive into the top corner – his third Hyundai A-League goal and one that was equally as impressive as his first and second.
This strike, one that is sure to be replayed as many times as Simon-s special, handed the Mariners an ascendancy that they would hold on to until the final whistle, despite some resistance from the home side.
The Mariners- strangle hold on the match was tightened just beyond the hour mark by substitute Macallister, who in his belated debut for the yellow and navy slammed home his first Hyundai A-League goal within eight minutes of replacing fellow standout Simon.
Macallister was on hand to pressure Devere and Reddy into a defensive mishap on the edge of the penalty area, which the former Qantas Under 23-s representative neatly dispatched with his left foot.
One goal on debut is an exceptional return, two goals is sensational and that is exactly what Macallister managed seven minutes on from his first strike – and what a strike it was.
In between Miller-s outstanding free kick and Van Dijk-s spot kick conversion, Macallister was put through on goal and from a difficult position was able to slam a confident effort past Reddy to top a memorable debut for the player and landmark night for the club.
“Considering the players that we-ve had missing, it shows that we have great depth,” said McKinna.
“Coming to Queensland and winning 4-2 – not many teams do that, especially after the way they played last week against Adelaide.”
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League campaign will pause for one week due to next weekend-s FIFA International Match Day break, with the yellow and navy to return to competitive action against the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on Sunday, 14 September. Kick off is at 3pm AEST.
The Mariners are next at their Bluetongue Stadium home on Saturday, 20 September, when they host season two Champions and Premiers the Melbourne Victory in Round 5. Kick off is at 7pm.
Tickets for this match are now on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season are now on sale at www.ccmariners.com.au.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 40. Mark Bosnich (gk), 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Bradley Porter, 7. John Hutchinson, 15. Andrew Clark, 16. Nigel Boogaard, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 19. Matt Simon (11. Dylan Macallister 56-), 21. Ahmad Elrich (17. Matthew Osman 12-), 22. Sasho Petrovski, 23. Mile Jedinak (6. David D-Apuzzo 86-)
Unused Subs 30. Andrew Redmayne (gk)
Yellow Cards Simon 15-, Jedinak 18-, Clark 76-, Macallister 78-
Red Cards None
Goals Simon 31-, Jedinak 48-, Macallister 64-, 71-
Queensland Roar 1. Liam Reddy (gk), 3. Luke Devere, 4. Craig Moore, 7. Michael Zullo (12. Tahj Minniecon 61-), 8. Massimo Murdocca, 9. Sergio Van Dijk, 10. Charlie Miller, 11. Reinaldo (22. Robbie Kruse 60-), 15. Matt McKay, 16. Hyuk-Su Seo (2. Andrew Packer 60-), 18. Danny Tiatto
Unused Subs 20. Griffin McMaster (gk)
Yellow Cards Reddy 15-, Tiatto 28-
Red Cards None
Goals Miller 69-, Van Dijk 73-P
Referee Peter O-Leary
Crowd 12,185
