After a Christmas period that brought with it postponements and moved fixtures, finally the Mariners are set to play their first game of the new year. On Tuesday, the Central Coast Mariners travel to Nestrata Jubilee Stadium to face Sydney FC in the FFA Cup Semi-Final.
This match comes after a lengthy break for the Mariners after multiple matches were re-scheduled due to COVID-19 and the last time Central Coast and Sydney FC met this season in the Isuzu UTE A-League, it was the Mariners quick 1-2 punch in the first half that allowed them to run out 2-0 winners after finding the net through Marco Ureña and an own goal from Sydney’s Anthony Caceres after Moresche applied pressure on a low driven Lewis Miller cross.
The Yellow and Navy will be bolstered by the fact they have won their last three competitive matches without conceding a goal, including a 6-0 drenching over APIA Leichardt FC in the FFA Cup quarterfinals at the back end of December.
The Mariners haven’t played since the 21st of December with four matches postponed in that period, while on the other side, this will be Sydney FC’s third match in a week after overcoming Brisbane in the FFA Cup quarter final’s last Wednesday and playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the Isuzu UTE A-League on the weekend.
Speaking to the media ahead of this clash, Nick Montgomery said that the squad is looking forward to the challenge of playing in the semi final after suffering a tumultuous few weeks with positive cases.
“We have had no further positive cases but the break has given a few of the boys some extra time to recover from knocks but overall we are in a good place and ready to go for Tuesday night’s game.
“Cup football is cup football. It’s a massive opportunity to make it through to a final. We’ll be going there full of confidence and going there to get a result,” said Montgomery.
Defender Jacob Farrell has had a rapid resurgence from the Academy to the first team and while he has received recognition of his impressive start to his professional career has both his feet firmly planted on the ground.
“It’s been a few weeks between our matches but we are all really looking forward to go out there and play some football.”
The Mariners will be looking to move into their first ever FFA Cup final by defeating the one-time cup winners on Tuesday evening in what is sure to be an exciting encounter.
The FFA Cup Semi-Final will kick off from 7:00pm with the Sky Blues taking on the Mariners at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium
Match Details
Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners
FFA Cup Semi Final
Nestrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney NSW
Tuesday 18th January 2022
Kick Off: 7:00pm
Tickets: Here
Broadcast live on 10Play
