Central Coast Mariners may have left China emptyhanded but the new-look two-time reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions did so after making head coach Mark Jackson “really, really proud” against Asian giants Shanghai Port.
It was a brave performance in Shanghai, where Central Coast found themselves 2-0 down at half-time at the home of the defending Chinese Super League (CSL) champions, who are one point off the pace with two rounds remaining in their domestic competition.
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But after a half-time position tweak, Mikael Doka’s stunning long-range strike in the 61st minute gave the Mariners a glimmer of hope before Matias Vargas restored Shanghai Port’s two-goal buffer on home soil.
There was a dramatic finale under the Shanghai lights after Mariners substitute Nicholas Duarte struck in stoppage time – the 20-year-old’s first senior goal.
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“Obviously the result didn’t go our way but as a manager, I’m really, really proud of my team,” Jackson told reporters post-game, with the Mariners back in action away to Adelaide United on Saturday.
“Every player on the pitch of the performance they put in against a top team we faced.
“Really, really proud. We always want to get the result of course but really proud of the performance, how we approached the game and how we dealt with the situation.”
The Mariners entered the blockbuster showdown on the back of a 0-0 draw with Melbourne Victory in their Isuzu UTE A-League opener on Friday night.
On Tuesday, a number of young guns were on display against Shanghai Port, who are led by A-Leagues legend Muscat.
Talented goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen, who made his professional debut against Victory in Round 1 aged 18, kept his place in the line-up, while Duarte (20), Haine Eames (16), Bailey Brandtman (19) and Sasha Kuzevski (23) came off the bench.
It comes after another off-season of change following the departures of Johnny Warren Medallist Josh Nisbet (Ross County) Max Balard (NAC Breda), Jacob Farrell (Portsmouth) and Dan Hall (Auckland FC), while Danny Vukovic retired.
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“We were fairly happy with the first half. We weren’t totally out of the game. We were disappointed with the goals conceded, so we knew it was going to be a tough task,” Jackson continued.
“But we knew we could score. Making the change and putting Mikael Doka on the left-hand side and Bailey Brandtman on the right-hand side gave us that opportunity to come inside and shoot, which is a situation we got the goal from.
“But we just said to the boys to believe in their ability and what they can do. They’re performing on the biggest stage in Asian competition.
“We have young players. We have an average of 22 in the squad and in the starting XI it was an average of 24. So, we’re very young and inexperienced team who will grow and get better.
“At half-time, I just said believe in how we play. They showed that belief in the second half so really proud.”
The Mariners have now lost to Shandong Taishan (3-1), Thai champions Buriram United (2-1) and Shanghai Port.
Jackson added: “Of course it’s a difficult start for us but we have to understand that we’re competing with the top, top teams in Asian competition.
“Our budget, our money and resources we have don’t compete with the teams in here but we have earned the right to be here. We have to believe in what we’re doing and how we play with a young team.
“But I think we showed in every game, in periods of those games, we can compete.
“Listen, there’s a big gulf in finances at our club compared to anyone else but we don’t use that an excuse. We go out in every game looking to compete. We have games remaining and we will be confident that we can win some of those games.”
