Central Coast Mariners 1 Sydney FC 0
Storm Roux of the Mariners turns away from Richard Garcia of Sydney FC. Photo: Getty Images
Sydney FC's four-game winning streak came to a disappointing end at the hands of the champions and the feet of last season's golden boot winner on Saturday night.
Despite holding more possession at Bluetongue Stadium - particularly in a frustrating second 45 minutes for the visitors - the match was decided by veteran Daniel McBreen's flick-in goal midway through the first half.
The Sky Blues were without Italian star Alessandro Del Piero, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury, but their chance to show they could go 90 minutes for three points without their marquee man was cancelled out by a courageous home-town performance by the Mariners, whose era under new coach Phil Moss gained a big boost.
Michael McGlinchey of the Mariners gets away from Matthew Thompson of Sydney FC. Photo: Getty Images
A win would have enabled the Sky Blues to leap cross-town rivals the Wanderers into second, just one win adrift of leaders Brisbane Roar.
Instead, the Mariners, who had scored just eight goals in seven games, ensured Sydney's record of not having won at Gosford since 2008 stayed in tact, thanks to McBreen, who was making just his second start of the season.
The first half was characterised by positive but fruitless raids from Sydney FC and rapid-fire counter-attacks by the Mariners.
The Mariners rattled the net after seven minutes but Josh Rose had been offside, while at the other end Nick Carle came closest for Sydney FC, forcing a tip-over from goalkeeper Liam Reddy from distance.
However, Rose was to get another chance and this time his run was spot on and his cross was met by McBreen for the opener.
The Sky Blues stayed upbeat. In his first start for his new club, Ranko Despotovic was bright, while former Mariner Pedj Bojic added zest from the right side, despite the constant boos of the crowd.
However, the Mariners devastating counter attacks were always a danger, often using Rose and young New Zealander Storm Roux out wide, and Marcos Flores and Michael McGlinchey across midfield.
McBreen should have had two when a perfect swerving cross from Rose found the striker unmarked inside the six-yard box, but this time he muffed the attempt.
Mariners defender Marcel Seip received a yellow card early in the second half for a nasty hit on Richard Garcia, the most intense moment of an otherwise dull opening to the second half.
Sydney FC were threatening from the right side and a headed chance fell the way of Ali Abbas. But coach Frank Farina seemed keen to balance the attack and introduced striker Yairo Yau to go onto the left wing for Matt Thompson on 62 minutes, as pressure grew for an equaliser.
In response, Phil Moss brought on Matt Simon for an injured and tiring Flores, suggesting the Mariners were not going to sit back. Mile Sterjovski joined the fray for Duke on the right side of attack. Farina brought on striker Chris Naumoff for Despotovic with 15 minutes remaining, as Sydney kept pressing. The Mariners nearly shut down the game in the 78th minute, but for Vedran Janjetovic saving Simon's one-on-one. The Mariners should have finished the game in style, creating several late chances, including in injury time, Sterjovski's curler, which hit the post.
No comments:
Post a Comment