A stoppage-time strike from Mikael Doka sealed a dramatic 2-1 win for Central Coast Mariners over Wellington Phoenix and sent the Gosford side above their Saturday-night rivals to the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League table.
The enthralling battle between first and second featured three second-half goals; Ángel Torres opened the scoring in the 61st minute on his 24th birthday but the Colombian’s header was cancelled out by Ben Old’s equaliser off the back of a rampant Phoenix attack.
The visitors looked set to hold onto top spot as 90 minutes of regular time elapsed with the score locked at 1-1 before Doka’s stunning strike from the edge of the area to put the Mariners back in front, which ultimately sealed the three points and fired his side to the top of the table.
The Mariners and Wellington are now level on 46 points, with the Gosford side taking top spot due to a superior wins total (14 to 13).
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Post-game, both Mariners coach Mark Jackson and Wellington Phoenix boss Giancarlo Italiano shared their mutual respect for one another as the two sides head into Round 24 locked on points and ready to battle it out for the Premiers Plate.
“I think Mark is pretty switched on tactically, and I think it’s a bit more of a game that happens before the actual game,” said Italiano post-game.
“When you neutralise each other, it’s more moments than anything. Again, look, the goal they score is a moment. Last second. It’s massive. The fact they didn’t give up as well, you match that up with the tactics, it bodes for a good combination.”
Jackson was also asked for his thoughts on Italiano – affectionately known as “Chiefy” – and the Mariners boss replied: “He’s a fantastic coach, and he’s done ever so well this season.
“I’ve got the utmost respect for him and the other coaches in this league to be fair. It’s been really, really challenging this year.
“I’ve come up against some tactical challenges, so that’s a credit to the A-League. They’re not only producing players, they’re producing coaches and attracting coaches to compete with each other on a tactical level.
“It’s been a real challenge, we managed to get it over the line tonight but it could’ve been different. I’m fully pleased with how we performed and executed the game plan.”
The Mariners have Western United, Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets still to play in the league, while Wellington Phoenix are preparing to face Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets and Macarthur FC to round out the regular season.
Josh Nisbet is enjoying a sensational season and the Mariners midfielder almost added to his highlights reel in the fourth minute of his side’s clash with the Phoenix, after a one-two with Alou Kuol which created space to shoot from close range.
Nisbet had a narrow angle to shoot and Phoenix defender Finn Surman combined with keeper Alex Paulsen to block the left-footed shot. Paulsen got back to his feet to collect the ball as it dropped from the sky.
Mikael Doka tried his luck from a dangerous area and his free-kick left Paulsen with no chance of making a save – but unfortunately for the in-form Mariner, the ball crashed off the woodwork.
The home side dominated the chances in the first half and should have gone ahead when Ángel Torres’ free-kick found Brian Kaltak all alone at the back post.
The defender slid in unmarked but failed to make contact with the ball as a big chance to add to his two-goal tally for the season went begging.
Just seconds into the second half, Wellington had their best chance of the game when a bungled clearance from the Mariners fell to Kosta Barbarouses. Wellington’s leading scorer failed to hit the target in a lucky escape for the hosts.
An hour passed without a goal to either side before the Mariners broke the deadlock and with the Phoenix defence proving near-impossible to break down, it took a moment of quality to break the visiting side’s resolve.
Doka unpicked the lock with a through ball played between Sam Sutton and Lukas Kelly-Heald towards Storm Roux who had bombed down the right wing into the penalty area.
Roux’s first-time cross invited Torres to leap at the delivery and the Colombian buried his header past Paulsen to put the home side on top.
Both Nisbet and Doka went close to making it 2-0 with left-footed curlers from distance; Nisbet flashed his shot wide of the left-hand goalpost and Doka’s attempt rose marginally over the crossbar.
The Phoenix almost had their equaliser with 15 minutes to play when Roux and Barbarouses contested for an aerial ball, and the spillage diverted towards the unguarded bottom-left corner of Central Coast’s goal.
But Torres, who scored the opener down the other end, got back to intervene on the last line of defence, clearing the ball off the crossbar and away in a superb piece of defensive play.
Wellington continued to pursue a leveller and the equalising goal came in the 78th minute after a rampant counter attack down the right wing. Tim Payne, returning to the squad after a hamstring injury, put the ball on a plate for Ben Old who made a driving run through midfield and into attack to put the visitors back on level terms.
But after 90 minutes of regular time, Doka’s moment of class wrestled all three points back for the Mariners.
The Brazilian dribbled past weary Phoenix midfielder Bozhidar Kraev to create space on the edge of the box, where he whipped a left-footed shot past Paulsen into the back of the net.
