On The Attack: Why Central Coast Mariners must overcome fatigue in quest for historic treble
Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde discuss the Mariners’ chances of winning the treble, their incredible season, and question a deal described as the “worst on the planet”.
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Central Coast Mariners are within touching distance of a treble, but must overcome a key rival if they are to earn the chance at the historic feat.
Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde discuss their chances, their incredible season, and keep the heat on the APL over a broadcast deal described as the “worst on the planet”.
Mariners set for Sydney
RS: The Mariners won’t be seeking excuses if they can’t get the job done against Sydney FC in Friday night’s A-League semi-final at Allianz Stadium even though the legitimate reason of fatigue could work against them considering they only arrived back in Australia from Oman on Tuesday night after winning the AFC Cup, which was a magnificent achievement.
I’m sure their coach Mark Jackson will have a “let’s go on with it” attitude and prepare his team to produce its best possible performance.
Whatever happens on Friday, the Mariners know they have the second leg in Gosford up their sleeve.
MM: I’m expecting a typically heroic Mariners display.
They are so close now to clinching the treble that I can’t see them throwing that all the way with an irreparable first-leg performance.
I’m sure that whatever happens at Allianz Stadium, the semi-final will still be well and truly up for grabs come the second leg on Saturday week.
I’m also sure that Sydney won’t be looking for excuses if they fail in the absence of their injured star Joe Lolley.
However, Lolley being ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury is a huge blow for the Sky Blues.
RS: It is, but this is a chance for Max Burgess to show his undoubted class.
I think he’ll get the nod to replace Lolley in the starting team, and there is no doubt in my mind that he has the ability to cause the Mariners plenty of problems.
One thing I am concerned about in terms of Sydney is if their captain and key midfielder Luke Brattan can’t overcome his ankle injury or is hampered by it during the match.
To lose Lolley makes things tough enough, but for Brattan to also potentially be out or less than 100 per cent would make things even tougher for the Sky Blues.
MM: Yeah, Brattan starts so much of Sydney’s play.
He is important to their chances, as is Jack Rodwell. He has returned to fitness at the right time.
I also like the way Sydney coach Ufuk Talay has moved Robert Mak to the central striking role.
He’s scoring regularly, and without Lolley, Sydney also need him to continue his good recent form.
RS: Mak’s battle with Mariners’ defensive rock Brian Kaltak should be good to see, as will the performance of Central Coast’s Brazilian star Mikael Doka.
After a slow start to the season, he’s been superb for the past few months, and his ability to play in a few different positions is crucial in a small squad.
Cagey contest on cards
MM: There’s also plenty to play for on Sunday in the semi-final first-leg battle between Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park.
The Victory will want to make the most of their home ground advantage before flying to New Zealand for Saturday week’s second-leg.
The Victory players will be on an emotional high after last weekend’s epic penalty shootout win over Melbourne City but they have to focus on their next task, and that won’t be an easy one, particularly without their suspended star Zinedine Machach.
RS: Yes but I think Victory will cope better in the absence of Machach than Sydney will without Lolley against the Mariners.
Then Victory have plenty of attacking options in the midfield and up front to cover for Machach, as good as he is.
The likes of Bruno Fornaroli and Daniel Arzani are just as important to the Victory’s title chances as Machach, and I’m expecting both to rise to the occasion on Sunday.
MM: I reckon Sunday’s match will be a much cagier affair than Friday night’s Sydney-Mariners battle.
The Phoenix, as always, will give away very little.
The way they have defended this season has been outstanding and was the main reason they finished second on the ladder.
They will know that if they can avoid defeat in Melbourne, they will be in the box seat to win the semi-final heading into the second leg in Wellington.
RS: Indeed, and you can bet Kosta Barbarouses, who has been in fantastic form for the Phoenix all season, will want to produce two great performances against one of his old clubs.
Still hiding
MM: Quickly looking ahead to next season, a lot of A-League clubs haven’t been able to lock down a lot of their plans as they are still waiting to hear how much they are going to get from the APL in terms of distribution money.
It must be so frustrating for the clubs, particularly those operating on tight budgets.
RS: The Mariners chairman wasn’t wrong when he described the APL’s broadcast deal with Network 10 and Paramount + as the “worst on the planet”.
Someone needs to be held accountable for that deal, and the wasted millions that has led to the APL’s financial woes.
Who is going to put up their hand and admit something?
They’re hiding but they can’t hide forever.
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