For the first time in a decade, the Central Coast Mariners will play in the Grand Final tomorrow night in the hunt for the A-League Championship.
After almost 12 months of hard work, the team come up against Melbourne City at CommBank Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45pm.
The Mariners head into the game off the back of a huge 4-1 aggregate win over two matches against Adelaide United, sealing the team’s spot to the big dance.
Tickets are still on sale for the match, which can be purchased HERE!
Team News
After two positive and strong weeks of training, the Central Coast Mariners have named an unchanged 20-man squad from the side that defeated Adelaide United a fortnight ago.
The team has been extremely settled since the international break, with only slight injuries causing any changes to the squad over that time.
Melbourne City have almost named an essentially identical squad to their one from the second leg of the semi-final, with Jordan Hall and Raphael Borges Rodrigues both promoted into the 20-man side.
Arion Sulemani and James Nieuwenhuizen will both miss the final match of the season due to injury.
Recent Form
The Central Coast Mariners have been on a stunning run of form since returning from the international break, going undefeated in our last seven matches including six wins.
These string of results at the back end of the regular season propelled the team into second place and saw us qualify for the AFC Cup. Two strong wins over Adelaide followed to see the side make it into the Grand Final, deserved rewards for an incredible campaign.
Marco Tulio has been one particular player who has set the league alight over the back end of the season, winning the April Player of the Month award. Four goals in his last four games, along with some incredible skills, have resulted in many calling him the most inform player in the competition.
Sam Silvera has been another standout star, winning two man of the match awards in the past four games. Three goals in that period including an incredible double against the Jets have helped propel the side to the Grand Final, scoring our first goal in the second leg over Adelaide.
Melbourne City have also been on a strong run of form themselves, undefeated in their last 10 A-League matches. This has included six wins and four draws, with the side finishing the season as Premiers on 55 points.
Previous Meetings
The Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City have faced off twice this season, including what was arguably the match of the season in Round 24 at Our Paradise.
The first game this campaign between the pair was played in extremely hot conditions, with temperatures almost reaching 40 degrees on a sweltering December afternoon in Melbourne.
Drinks breaks every 15 minutes saw the game struggle to gain a steady flow, with a 39th minute goal from Jamie Maclaren enough to hand the home side the points.
Over 10,000 fans packed into Industree Group Stadium to watch the two sides fight off for the second time, in what was the Mariners annual Pink Round clash.
An incredibly tight tussle that saw both goalkeepers make remarkable saves, Jordan Bos broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute to hand City the lead. Josh Nisbet stepped up in the 78th minute to draw the scores level, getting what was his second goal in three weeks.
The match ultimately ended with the scores tied at 1-all, as both teams had to share the points.
Squads
Melbourne City
1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON (C), 4. Nuno REIS, 6. Thomas LAM, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 14. Valon BERISHA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 18. Jordon HALL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES, 37. Max CAPUTO, 38. Jordan BOS
Ins: 18. Jordon HALL (promoted), 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 34. Arion SULEMANI (ACL), 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (hand)
Central Coast Mariners
3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Joshua NISBET, 5. James MCGARRY, 6. Maximilien BALARD, 7. Samuel SILVERA, 9. Jason CUMMINGS, 10. Matheus MORESCHE, 11. Beni NKOLOLO, 13. Harry STEELE, 14. Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 15. Storm ROUX, 18. Jacob FARRELL, 20. Danny VUKOVIC, 23. Daniel HALL, 24. Yaren Sozer, 25. Nectarios TRIANTIS, 28. James BAYLISS, 31. Christian THEOHAROUS, 39. Miguel DI PIZIO, 98. Marco TULIO
Ins: NIL
Outs: NIL
Unavailable: Bradley TAPP (injury)
Match Details
Melbourne City vs Central Coast Mariners
Saturday, June 3rd
Kick-off: 7:45pm AEST
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on 10 and Paramount+
Get tickets HERE!
