The Central Coast Mariners will be all guns blazing tonight, as they take on reigning Hyundai A-League Champions Brisbane Roar, at Suncorp Stadium tonight at 8pm (AEDT).
The yellow and navy are still in search for their first win on the road this season and they will face a desperate Brisbane Roar who need all three points from tonight’s match for their race to the top six.
In recent weeks Brisbane have looked burdened by their AFC Champions League duties – losing their last four Hyundai A-League fixtures and have leaked 12 goals in the process.
The Mariners will be looking to pounce on the vulnerable Roar; however they will face a formidable line up with the likes of Matt McKay (pending a return from international duty) and new kids on the block Brandon Borello & Devante Clut. Despite a tough task ahead for Tony Walmsley’s men, the squad are brimming with confidence after positive performances against Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory respectively.
In each of Walmsley’s matches in charge, the yellow and navy have scored and pushed the league’s title contenders to the wire.
The positive step forward in performances was on display at AAMI Park last week, where the Mariners went down fighting in a 2-1 loss against Victory. The Mariners created more chances moving into the front third and took a first half lead, but it was only through two pieces of Gui Finkler brilliance that Isaka Cernak’s opener was undone.
Despite the score line, Walmsley took heart from the encounter and believes a similar approach can unsettle Brisbane tonight.
“We’re going to approach (the match) the same way as we did against the Victory and try and take it another notch forward. We had good possession, good attacking opportunities, we’d really like to convert more of those and I think we’re not too far away from getting on the scoresheet on more than one occasion,” Walmsley said.
TEAM NEWS:
Tony Walmsley has made two changes to the travelling party that visited Melbourne last week, with Brent Griffiths and Travis Major replacing Glen Trifiro and Anthony Kalik on the substitutes bench.
“Some players trained exceptionally well this morning and forced themselves into the travelling squad. Travis Major one of those, Brent Griffiths another one of those, and that gives us defensive cover, it also gives us a target and a focal point up front if that’s the way we want to go” Walmsley said.
SPOTLIGHT:
ISAKA CERNAK: The former Olyroo has settled into the Mariners first 11 and has been a dynamic attacking weapon, continually troubling sides in the front third.
Cernak’s good form was rewarded with a well-deserved goal against Victory last week and will look to double his season’s tally tonight.
LAST TIME WE MET: Round 17, 2014/15
The last time the Mariners went toe-to-toe with the Roar was on Friday, February 13th at Central Coast Stadium where Brisbane claimed a 2-0 win. Second half goals to Jean-Carlos Solórzano and Andrija Kaluderovic led the Roar to victory.
Central Coast Mariners Sqaud: 1.Matthew NASH (gk), 3.Josh ROSE, 5.Zac ANDERSON, 6.Brent GRIFFITHS, 7.John HUTCHINSON (c), 8.Nick MONTGOMERY, 10.Anthony CACERES, 11.Nick FITZGERALD, 12.Liam REDDY (gk), 14.Travis MAJOR, 15.Mathew SIM, 16.Liam ROSE, 23.Isaka CERNAK, 24.Hayden MORTON, 25.Eddy BOSNAR, 26.Fabio FERREIRA
Thursday 2 April 2015
Match: Brisbane Roar vs. Central Coast Mariners – Hyundai A-League 2014/15 Round 24
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 8:00pm (AEDT)
Television: Live on FOX SPORTS 505
Radio: Live on 96.3 Coast FM & ABC Grandstand
Twitter: Join the match conversation using #BRIvCCM #CCMFC
