Mariners spoil Melbourne City coach Rado Vidosic’s wish for grand final against Adelaide United

Things didn’t quite go to plan for A-League heavyweights Melbourne City in terms of who they are playing in Saturday night’s grand final.

Melbourne City coach Rado Vidosic wanted a grand final date with Adelaide United rather than Central Coast. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Melbourne City coach Rado Vidosic admits he would have preferred his team to be facing Adelaide United, rather than the Central Coast Mariners, in Saturday night’s A-League grand final.

Adelaide’s bid to reach the CommBank Stadium decider was ended by the Mariners, whose past three matches – including their final game of the regular season – have all been wins over the Reds.

It was part of Adelaide’s dramatic late-season fall from grace after a 12-match unbeaten run seemingly had them as the team likely to challenge City – the A-League’s benchmark outfit – for this season’s title.

The Reds’ run of good form included a 4-2 win over City as well as a 3-3 draw between the teams.

Melbourne City coach Rado Vidosic would have preferred a grand final date with Adelaide United. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“We owed them one good game,” Vidosic said in explaining his preference for a decider against the South Australian outfit.

“As a club we’ve always had a bit of trouble against Adelaide. We lost the (FFA) Cup final 4-0 in Adelaide in 2019.

“I think everyone at the club said ‘please make it be Adelaide’ so we can give them one back, but it’s not.

“It was my wish, but in the end, the Mariners, in the last part of the season, were excellent.

“They have beaten Adelaide three times in their past three games – it just tells you how good they are.

“They’re a very hardworking team. It’s going to be a very intense game, full of effort.”

The teams drew 1-1 in Gosford in April, while City prevailed 1-0 thanks to a goal from prolific striker Jamie Maclaren when the sides met in December at AAMI Park.

Maclaren is part of a star-studded City attacking arsenal that also includes fellow Socceroos Mathew Leckie, Marco Tilio and Andrew Nabbout.

The Mariners are also impressive in attack, with Socceroo Jason Cummings, Brazilian Marco Tulio, Frenchman Beni Nkololo and emerging talent Sam Silvera set to pose a huge threat.

“We’re all very excited and we’re all keen to play,” Silvera said.

“We’ve scored so many great goals where we’ve been able to express ourselves, and when we have the firepower that we do, off the bench as well, it’s incredible.

“We all have different attributes that we bring to the pitch, so we just go out there and do what we do.”

Silvera said he and his teammates were desperate not to waste a grand final appearance.

“Not many players get the opportunity to play in a grand final,” he said.

“I’m just grateful that the season has turned out how it has. We’re all just wanting to take this opportunity and do our best.”