Seventh heaven... Daniel McBreen completes the record rout for the Mariners in Gosford. Picture: Liam Driver Source: The Daily Telegraph
THE star attraction was missing but a bumper Gosford crowd was treated to a spectacular Central Coast goal blitz as it blew Sydney FC apart 7-2.
A crowd of 15,686 - the Mariners' biggest in five seasons - didn't get the chance to see Sky Blues superstar Alessandro Del Piero, who was ruled out prior to kick-off with a hamstring problem.
But there were no complaints as they witnessed a nine-goal extravaganza - the equal highest-scoring game in A-League history.
A mix of horrendous defending and brilliant attacking were on show as Daniel McBreen netted the club's first hat-trick and young gun Tom Rogic added two goals in a fine display.
The result would have been a sweet one for Mariners coach Graham Arnold, who turned down a chance to coach the Sky Blues this season.
Any disappointment among the fans at Italian legend Del Piero's absence would have faded quickly after the home side came from behind to lead 3-1 at half-time.
A poor Mile Sterjovski back-pass was intercepted by Kruno Lovrek and the Croatian found Yau, who finished with a delightful chip kick in the eighth minute.
But the Mariners always looked more threatening in attack and were back on terms eight minutes later when Rogic scored from a blocked John Hutchinson shot.
The Sky Blues received another gift in the 27th minute as Michael McGlinchey's wayward pass found Yau, but the striker missed the mark this time as he opted for power over precision.
The sloppy defending continued as Central Coast took the lead in the 29th minute thanks to a howler from Ivan Necevski.
The goalkeeper spilled a timid Rogic shot, and a Seb Ryall own goal ensued as McBreen tried to capitalise.
McBreen extended the advantage with a 39th-minute penalty, after McGlinchey had been barged over in the box by Trent McClenahan.
Sydney coach Ian Crook introduced Terry McFlynn and Blake Powell after half-time in a bid to revive the visitors' hopes.
It looked to have worked when they deservedly pulled one back in the 54th minute when Ali Abbas brilliantly volleyed in Yau's looped through ball.
But it proved to be false hope as the Mariners poured on four more goals in the space of 11 minutes.
The impressive McGlinchey danced his way into the box and unleashed a furious driven shot to score in the 56th minute before Rogic showed brilliant footwork to beat McFlynn and secure a brace in the 62nd.
Sydney capitulated as McBreen poked in his second in the 65th minute and secured his hat-trick when he headed in Josh Rose's cross two minutes later.
Crook opened his post-match press conference by apologising to Sydney's fans.
“I think I probably need to make an apology to our supporters who have been great all year and came up here in numbers again today,” Crook said.
“To see us get beaten 7-2, which is even hard to say, I think we need to say sorry to them.
“It wasn't for the lack of either belief or trying.
“When you get beat like that, people will say 'they didn't show any heart' but I disagree with that.
“I just felt a good Mariners team punished us for every mistake we made tonight.”
“... That for me is why they are the best side in the comp.”
Crook refused to use injuries to the likes of Del Piero, Pascal Bosschaart, Adam Griffiths, Fabio and Joel Chianese as an excuse.
Del Piero is expected to be fit to return at home to Melbourne Victory next Saturday.
Arnold was delighted with the performance but denied it was made sweeter by his decision to stick with the Mariners.
He felt during the week such a performance could be possible.
“The way they trained Thursday was nearly the best I'd seen since I've been at the club,” Arnold said.
“It was just a wonderful performance to put on with such a good crowd and I appeal now to all those supporters that came - surely you've got to come back and enjoy more of that.”
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 7 (Tomas Rogic 16m, 63m, Sebastian Ryall 30m og, Daniel McBreen 39m pen, 65m, 67m, Michael McGlinchey 56m) SYDNEY FC 2 (Yairo Yau 8m, Ali Abbas 54m) at Bluetongue Stadium. Crowd: 15,686. Referee: Strebre Delovski.
AAP
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