Central Coast Mariners Women will take on Melbourne Victory in the Ninja A-League Grand Final on Sunday, after overcoming Melbourne City in the Semi-Final second leg.
Izzy Gomez’s strike in added time at the end of extra time, finally separated the Mariners and City, after there was once again nothing between the two sides after 90 minutes for the fourth time this season.
The Mariners become the first team to beat Melbourne City in over a year, putting an end to the Sky Blues’ unbeaten season and to their treble hopes.
In a dramatic game, the hosts went down to 10 players in the 24th minute after Lourdes Bosch was sent off for striking Brooke Nunn in the face.
The Mariners went on to dominate with the player advantage but couldn’t find the breakthrough with Malena Mieres in good form for City between the posts, until she was beaten by the cool and calm Gomez with a lob in the 121st minute.
🔢 Line-Up
Taylor Ray’s recovery from injury was the highlight inclusion for Emily Husband, with Taren King dropping to the bench and handing the armband to Bianca Galic.
Starting XI: Langman (GK), Nash, Martin, Gomez, Pennock, Galic (C), Ray, Rasmussen, Rowe, Kraszula, Nunn.
Substitutions:
57′ ON: Quilligan, King OFF: Rowe, Kraszula
79′ ON: Trimis, Hughes OFF: Ray, Rasmussen
107′ ON: Fuller OFF: Nunn
Unused subs: Morrissey (GK)
Your Mariners to take on City 🫡#CCMFC #MCYvCCM #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/TBEBUoBMaV
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) May 11, 2025
First Half
An eventful first half had a lengthy delay early on as Sarah Langman and Holly McNamara collided after a cross into the box on 10 minutes, Langman was able to continue after treatment but City were not so fortunate as their top scorer was forced off.
Play didn’t continue until the 16th minute and had only been resumed eight minutes when the next big moment in the game occurred.
Lourdes Bosch was shown a straight red card for striking Brooke Nunn in the face, meaning City were down to 10 and had lost two key players less than a third of the way through the match.
Despite that, they had a huge chance on 28 minutes, Bryleeh Henry stealing in after a moment of hesitancy from Jessika Nash, but shooting way over the bar as she looked to lob Langman.
From there, the Mariners started to take control of possession but were unable to really test Malena Mieres in the City goal, Galic going closest in added time with an effort from just outside the box which whistled just over and rattled the stanchion rather than the back of the net.
Second half
The Mariners were dominant in the second half, starting on top as Nash tried her luck from range but didn’t trouble Mieres.
A huge chance came on 61 minutes, Gomez typically winning possession in midfield and driving forward before finding Rasmussen but she shot wide with her left foot.
The Mariners were well on top, with 62% of the second half possession but that opening for Rasmussen would be the only clear cut chance in 90 minutes as Galic saw another shot from range held before Mieres made a comfortable save from Peta Trimis in added time.
Extra Time
The game had opened up late in the 90 minutes and continued that way into extra time, Nunn with a half chance which she blazed over on 97 minutes before City sub Mariana Speckmaier headed wide from a corner.
Speckmaier was keeping the Mariners on their toes, almost latching on to a huge kick from Mieres but was beaten to the ball by Langman, before the Mariners went down the other end and Gomez had a shot saved.
Nunn forced Mieres into maybe her best save of the game less than a minute into the second half of extra time, cutting inside and shooting low on her right foot, but Mieres got down well to save.
The Mariners dominated the late stages, piling on the pressure with deliveries into the City box, Tess Quilligan picked out Tiana Fuller with a cross on 110 minutes but the youngster couldn’t generate enough power on a difficult header, before consecutive Annabel Martin corners caused trouble to City but to no avail for the Mariners.
Finally the magical moment came right at the death, as Langman cleared a long-ball forward, Fuller competed with the City defence, the ball fell to Peta Trimis who lofted a ball over the top for Gomez, who despite struggling with cramp moments before still made a trademark burst from midfield, before keeping her cool to loft the ball over Mieres, sending Mariners to the Grand Final and sparking wild scenes of celebration.
▶️ Match Reaction via Central Coast Mariners YouTube
Watch the full highlights and match reaction including Emily Husband and Izzy Gomez’s post-match thoughts are now available via Central Coast Mariners on YouTube.
🏟 Next Up: GRAND FINAL
The Mariners now have a week to prepare for The Grand Final against Melbourne Victory, which will take place on Sunday 18th May at AAMI Park.
Tickets will go on sale for club members from 10am AEST on Monday 12 May, and the general public on 1pm on Tuesday 13 May.
The game will be shown live on 10 Bold and streamed via 10 Play and Paramount+.
