Entries Tagged 'Central Coast Mariners' ↓

Round 20 and 21 have been a little like a penalty shoot-out. Melbourne lines up; shoots; scores. Adelaide’s turn; they shoot; score. Now back to Melbourne.

It’s far from a perfect analogy, but I think it may help those disgruntled by the fact that the final round of the A-League is staggered – rather than having all the games played at once.

Personally, I don’t think we’re at a disadvantage because we play first. Let’s imagine we beat the Phoenix. Will the Mariners, who are then guaranteed passage into the finals, rest some players and play a soft game against Adelaide? I don’t think so. Lawrie McKinna’s side hasn’t had the greatest form of late and will be keen to improve that before the finals start. Regardless of tonight’s result, they will want to give a solid performance on Sunday night. Let’s not forget that there’s a chance Adelaide and Central Coast will play each other in the finals, so it’s hardly a good idea to set a standard of losing against them right before the finals.

All of which is to say, Melbourne needs to focus on tonight – nothing else. Archie reckons it’s the biggest game of the year (and he’s right), but it’s the biggest game ever for the Wellington Phoenix. Of course they’re going to come out firing. And with a guy like Shane Smeltz at their disposal, there’s plenty for the Victory to be worried about.

But our recent form at home has been exceptional. Archie and Danny Allsopp are combining well, while Ernie Merrick’s strategy of using either Ney Fabiano or Carlos Hernández has paid dividends. They’ve both been excellent and deserve a starting spot, but you have to hand it to Merrick: playing one of them off the bench works wonders.

My tips for the weekend:

• Melbourne Victory to shatter the Phoenix‘ dreams into a million pieces.
• Queensland Roar to struggle against the Perth Glory and come away with a draw.
• Sydney to end their season with a win against the fame-to-shame Newcastle Jets.
• Central Coast to pick up all three points against Adelaide United.

I’m happy to say that all the hackers’ damage has been removed from the site, so you are once again free to visit MVFC Blog. My apologies. The site should be much more secure now. Let’s hope this never happens again.

Last Friday’s game against the Central Coast Mariners was, of course, a wonderful night for Victory fans. It struck me how a single moment of inspiration can turn a game on its head. Melbourne had been wading around the Central Coast box for a spell (mind you, the Mariners had been making some pointed attacks at our end as well), when a pass from Carlos Hernandez found Archie Thompson. Archie suddenly accelerates, catching Pedj Bojic out with his speed and storming into the box to deliver a cross to Danny Allsopp who was exactly where he should have been.

One moment of brilliance. Within eight minutes Melbourne had tripled the score count, but it all started with that run from Archie.

It was enough to put us at the top of the table, but not to keep us there. On Sunday afternoon, a Wellington Phoenix side brimming with energy – even after they went down to ten men – fought hard to get three points against Adelaide United, but could only secure the draw. Adelaide can count themselves lucky.

That result put Adelaide back at the top of the table, on equal points with Melbourne but with a superior goal difference (one goal). Adelaide and Melbourne are two points ahead of Queensland Roar, so a top two finish is not guaranteed for either side. Meanwhile, the Wellington Phoenix have one shot at displacing the Central Coast Mariners in fourth place – they have to beat Melbourne. But even if they accompany that, a Central Coast win or draw will ensure last year’s Minor Premiers finish above the Kiwis.

If I wasn’t so partisan, this would be an absolutely tantalizing final round. As it stands, it’s positively nerve-racking!

The Melbourne Victory Women’s team had a better result on the weekend, with a 2-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners.

I didn’t have the chance to see the game, but it sounds like the women put on a strong, dominant performance. Two second-half goals from Brittany Timko and Rebecca Tegg ensured the win for Melbourne.

Did any of you manage to catch the game? I’d love to hear what you thought!

Archie Thompson proved himself the hero on Saturday night when he snatched a last minute – literally – equaliser against the Central Coast Mariners, ensuring the Melbourne Victory remains at the top of the A-League ladder after five rounds.

For the second week in a row, Melbourne ended the game with ten men. This time, it was Michael Theoklitos to be sent off the field for apparently stomping on Sasho Petrovski’s foot. Once again, the threat of a longer suspension hangs over the club.

But Mitchell Langerak had an outstanding game off the bench, making several critical saves before being beaten by a Matt Simon header from point blank range.

While the Central Coast Mariners will be devastated to have given away the win at the death (not the first time they’ve done that this season), they should applaud Mark Bosnich for several great saves late in the first half and early in the second. Danny Allsopp and Carlos Hernandez both had opportunities that they should have converted.

With Sydney FC taking advantage of Adelaide United’s tired legs, the point in Gosford ensures that Melbourne remains at the top of the table on goal difference. The Newcastle Jets picked up their first win of the season, Joel Griffiths’ goal enough to beat the Queensland Roar, while the Perth Glory also had their first win, a 1-0 victory over the Wellington Phoenix.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0R5_p6krss[/youtube]

After a couple games at home, Melbourne heads to Gosford this weekend for an away game against the Central Coast Mariners.

While the news this week has been focused on Ney Fabiano’s 9-match ban, there is good news too. Jose Luis Lopez returns to the squad, as does Michael Thwaite, who has recovered from his injury. With Fabiano out of the picture, Tom Pondeljak is an excellent option to come into the squad.

The Central Coast Mariners have had a mixed season so far, with just one win, one loss and two draws. Before their round 3 clash against the Queensland Roar, they looked like a team in trouble. But that game proved that they remain a potent threat.

With Sydney and Adelaide playing each other earlier on Saturday night, this will be a critical round. A win for Melbourne will give them an even stronger lead, while a loss could see them drop from the top of the table.

My tips for the weekend:

• Queensland Roar to beat Newcastle Jets. Both of these teams have given mixed performances over the past couple rounds, but Queensland look like the stronger side to me.
• Sydney FC to draw with Adelaide United. If my tip happens to turn out right, Adelaide will be very pleased with the point. Although elated after their mid-week draw in Japan, they have to be getting tired.
• Central Coast Mariners to be outplayed and outscored by Melbourne Victory. I‘m tipping a two-goal win this weekend. I’ve had it right the last two weeks, so here’s hoping for a hattrick.
• Perth Glory to beat Wellington Phoenix. Two teams still in search for their first win of the season. Perth seem to be the livelier side, so I’m tipping a home win for them.

Melbourne boy Tom Pondeljak has signed a 2-year deal with the Melbourne Victory.

Pondeljak’s move from the Central Coast Mariners had been rumoured several weeks ago, but clearly the club and player were waiting till after the Grand Final to finalise any agreement.

While Pondeljak’s signing comes too late for him to be added to the preliminary squad list for the Asian Champions League, he could be drafted in as an injury replacement. Considering Grant Brebner’s persistent injury, this may be more likely than you’d think.

When I wrote about Pondeljak possibly signing a few weeks ago, most of you were quite sceptical. As I mentioned then, Pondeljak is a somewhat risky addition to the squad. Not only is he 32, he is also injury prone. But if he manages to avoid injury, I still think he could be a useful addition to the midfield.

Danny Vukovic’ last minute slap of the referee’s hand has inspired a rather hefty debate among A-League bloggers. The goalkeeper was handed a 15 month ban, 6 months of which is suspended.

Football in the Capital called Vukovic a “knob” for his actions; meanwhile, The Football Tragic and A Seat at the A-League both remind readers that the Newcastle Jets’ Joel Griffiths infamously punched a referee in the groin. Yet Griffiths was only handed a yellow card.

So now over to you: Is Danny Vukovic’ 15 month ban too harsh? Or is it not harsh enough?

Vote in the sidebar and leave your comments below.

Central Coast Mariners 0, Newcastle Jets 1

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNYLWew_juA[/youtube]

So Mark Bridge’s glittering goal has made the Newcastle Jets Australia’s A-League champions. A phenomenal goal, and in my opinion the Jets had the edge on the Mariners throughout the game.

But that last corner will hurt Mariners fans for a long time. Video replays show it as clear as day: Newcastle’s James Holland nudging the ball along with his hand. The Mariners should have received a penalty. But, in what was a bitter end to the season, referee Mark Shields didn’t see it – nor did his assistant. How many times has that happened this season?

And for Danny Vukovic, who apparently struck Shields, that fateful final minute could have a very detrimental impact on his career, with a one-year ban or life suspension not out of the question.

For a more complete analysis of the game, read The Football Tragic’s ode to the Grand Final, fittingly titled: Sorry End.

MVFC Awards close tomorrow. Vote now if you haven’t already.

After weeks of speculation and rumours, it’s been confirmed: Adrian Caceres has left Melbourne for the greener grasses of Gosford.

The Central Coast Mariners have added the attacking midfielder to their squad list for next year. Caceres will, however, be available for the group stage of the Asian Champions League.

I’m sad to see him go. Caceres is a player with flair and creativity; a player who proved to be instrumental in the Victory’s late resurgence this season; and a player who deserved more game time than he was given. No doubt many fans will blame Caceres’ move on Ernie Merrick’s refusal to play him more, especially in the early stages of this season.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

The Newcastle Jets are pissed.

They’ve finished the A-League season in excellent fashion, landing a spot in the top two – and guaranteeing a double shot at reaching the Grand Final.

But they won’t get the Grand Final at home, whether they win against the Central Coast Mariners or not. The FFA has decided that neither Central Coast nor Newcastle have a stadium large enough for the Grand Final.

And so the Grand Final will be played in Sydney.

And so the Jets are pissed.

Continue reading →