Underestimate Central Coast Mariners at your peril. The three-time Isuzu UTE A-League champions have defied the odds to stun Australia Cup champions Newcastle Jets 3-2 in a breath-taking F3 Derby.
Central Coast substitute Nicholas Duarte sensationally found the back of the net in the 98th minute – a “hail-Mary” move in the words of Paramount+ analyst Andy Harper, just moments after Andrew Redmayne’s penalty save to deny the Jets a last-gap victory in Gosford.
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The Jets were overwhelming favourites to kick-off their season with a win over rivals Central Coast in Gosford, where interim head coach Warren Moon had only taken one training session following Mark Jackson’s sudden departure departure for Thai giants Buriram United.
But the Mariners flipped the script in an F3 Derby for the ages.
In the week Alex Badolato was named Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Youth Player of the Year, the Jets young gun scored a goal-of-the-season contender to break the deadlock in the 14th minute on his Newcastle debut.
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But with their backs against the wall, the Mariners rallied and took control in an incredible two-minute blitz; Alfie McCalmont’s 28th-minute penalty restored parity before Miguel Di Pizio sensationally put the Mariners ahead two minutes later.
Newcastle got back into the game thanks to substitute Lachie Rose, who equalised 10 minutes from the end.
But there was more drama to follow – Eli Adams’ 97th-minute spot-kick was kept out by Redmayne before Central Coast went up the other end and put the ball into the back of the net courtesy of Duarte.
“Utter madness,” said Harper amid wild scenes.
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Match highlights
What they said
Hear everything interim Central Coast Mariners head coach Warren Moon had to say after the 3-2 win below.
Hear everything Newcastle Jets head coach Mark Milligan had to say after the 3-2 defeat below.
Elsewhere in Round 1
Perth Glory 2-2 Wellington Phoenix
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Melbourne Victory 0-0 Auckland FC
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Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Melbourne City
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Adelaide United 2-1 Sydney FC
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Brisbane Roar 1-0 Macarthur Bulls
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