A-League Men: Mariners trounce Adelaide to finish second

It was the thrilling conclusion to the Isuzu UTE A-League’s top-four battle, as first played fourth and second played third in two simultaneous Friday-night fixtures.

At Coopers Stadium, Adelaide United were dismantled by a rampant Central Coast Mariners in a 4-1 defeat, whilst Premiers Melbourne City came from behind to beat Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 at AAMI Park.

The two results combined to see the Reds drop from second to third, as the Mariners jumped up into second to secure a week off to begin the Finals Series.

For Adelaide (third) and the Wanderers (fourth), it’s through to the Elimination Finals next weekend. Both teams will host home finals to open the Finals Series.

KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up-to-date scores and biggest talking points from AAMI Park and Coopers Stadium on Friday night!

Top four LOCKED IN: Mariners secure week off, Reds & Wanderers to host Elimination Finals

‘Where’s his protection?’ Veart questions Mariners’ Irankunda treatment as tensions spill at Coopers Stadium

Adelaide United head coach Carl Veart claims referees are not doing enough to protect Nestory Irankunda from off-the-ball treatment from opposing sides, after the 17-year-old was frustrated out of the game in a 4-1 home defeat to Central Coast Mariners on Friday night.

Irankunda was a half-time substitute for Veart as his side trailed Central Coast Mariners 2-0 in a must-win game to confirm a top-two finish; the Mariners went on to notch a convincing road win to snatch second spot for themselves and secure a week off in the Finals Series.

Irankunda took up his role on the right side of Adelaide’s attack after his half-time introduction; Mariners defender Jacob Farrell was brought on to replace James McGarry at left-back on 58 minutes, and a running battle ensued between the two young talents for the remaining half-hour.

Irankunda was booked for a late body check on Farrell on the hour mark. Farrell then earned himself a caution late in the game for a challenge on Irankunda, dragging him down from behind in Adelaide’s midfield.

The two players were engaged in multiple spot fires throughout the game; Mariners boss Nick Montgomery questioned why Irankunda wasn’t sent off for a second bookable offence in the second half – but Veart’s post-match thoughts reflected a different picture of the sequence of events in an emotion-charged second half.

“Nestor needs to start getting protection from the referees,” Veart told Paramount+ post-game. “I think he was checked three or four times when he first came on, and nothing. It’s been like that all season.

“As soon as he steps one foot over the line, he gets punished. This is one of the most promising young players in Australia.

“We talk about protecting our elite players, protecting our good players, where’s his protection? He hasn’t been protected at all this year.”

Montgomery, meanwhile, centred his appraisal of Farrell’s duel with Irankunda on the latter’s late challenge on the former in second-half stoppage time.

“Irankunda is lucky for me,” he said. “I’ve seen him a couple of times, a special talent but he probably should have been sent off. (He was) on a yellow card.”