The nation’s capital hosts Central Coast and Wellington with both sides eyeing back-to-back wins at GIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
MATCH DETAILS
Saturday, 12 November 2016
Central Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix
GIO Stadium (Canberra)
Kick-Off: 5:35PM (Local) (5:35PM (AEDT))
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referee 1: Owen Goldrick
Assistant Referee 2: Greg Taylor
Fourth Official: Luke Withell
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 5.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 92.5 ABC Central Coast, Radio Sport NZ, Online and via the app, Crocmedia A-League Live (www.facebook.com/A-leagueLIVERadio), EON Sports Radio (eonsportsradio.com), Coast FM 96.3
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #CCMvWEL
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 6.Blake POWELL, 7.Fabio FERREIRA, 8.Nick MONTGOMERY (c), 9.Roy O”DONOVAN, 10.Mickael TAVARES, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 13.Kwabena APPIAH, 14.Adam BERRY, 16.Liam ROSE, 17.Josh BINGHAM, 19.Jacques FATY, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 21.Michael NEILL, 22.Jake McGING
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 13.Kwabena APPIAH (promoted), 17.Josh BINGHAM (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 4.Jacob POSCOLIERO (quad strain – 1 week), 23.Jake ADELSON (ACL – indefinite)
Wellington Phoenix squad: 2.Jacob TRATT, 4.Roly BONEVACIA, 5.Ryan LOWRY,6.Dylan FOX, 7.Gui FINKLER, 8.Alex RODRIGUEZ, 11.Hamish WATSON, 13.Marco ROSSI, 14.Alex RUFER, 15.James McGARRY, 17.Vince LIA (c), 18.Ben LITFIN, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 21.Roy KRISHNA, 23.Matthew RIDENTON, 24.Logan ROGERSON, 30.Oliver SAIL (gk)
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 6.Dylan FOX (returns from suspension), 15.James MCGARRY (promoted), 18.Ben LITFIN (promoted), 23.Matthew RIDENTON (promoted), 24.Logan ROGERSON (promoted), 30.Oliver SAIL (gk) (promoted)
Outs: 1.Glen MOSS (gk) (international duty), 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES (international duty), 10.Michael MCGLINCHEY (international duty), 16.Louis FENTON (international duty), 22.Andrew DURANTE (international duty)
Unavailable: 12.Adam PARKHOUSE (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), 19.Tom DOYLE (hamstring – 1-2 weeks)
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
The Mariners notched their first win of the season last weekend – against the reigning champions in Adelaide no less – and will fancy their chances of making it two on the trot against a Phoenix side depleted by international call ups.
What’s more, Central Coast were unbeaten against the Phoenix last season (2W, 1D).
The Mariners are a much improved side under Paul Okon. The mix of youth and experience is starting to click. And the team have more steel and belief.
The recent signing of defender Scott Galloway has been a valuable addition, while midfielder Mickael Tavares boasts the best passing accuracy of any player in the league.
And last season’s Mariners Medal winner Liam Rose will be looking to force his way into the starting side following Young Socceroos duty, having played just six minutes so far this season.
With Central Coast seemingly relinquishing home field advantage, the blustery conditions at GIO Stadium should really suit Ernie Merrick’s Wellingtonians.
Last weekend, they bounced back from their drubbing at the hands of Victory with their first win of the campaign against the Jets – which included their first outfield goals in the 2016/17 Season.
Sadly for them, they’ll have to do it without five of their All Whites who are taking on New Caledonia during the international break.
Merrick has already used 20 players throughout the first five rounds of the season, the equal highest of any club, and he’ll need to see a few of his fringe players to stand up if they’re to take any points home from Canberra.
OPTA DATA
- Central Coast Mariners are undefeated in their last three games against Wellington, winning each of the last two games by a score of 3-1.
- Wellington Phoenix have conceded 11 goals in their last three games away from home, scoring only one goal in return.
- The Mariners have now taken competition points from each of their last two games (W1, D1), the last time they went three games without loss was in January 2015 (W1, D2).
- Wellington got back in the winner’s circle last weekend and will now be looking for consecutive victories for the first time since October 2015.
ROUTE TO GOAL
Interestingly, all six of the Mariners goals this season have been scored in the second-half. Striker Roy O’Donovan leads the scoring charts for the Central Coast with three and he continues to be the primary outlet up front – but he’ll need support.
Connor Pain did just that last weekend with a spectacular winner, while experienced campaigner Fabio Ferreria would surely love to open his account for the season.
Phoenix will be without Kosta Barbarouses and Michael McGlinchey fso a lot of the attacking responsibility will rest on the shoulders of Gui Finkler and Roy Krishna.
The fleet-footed Fijian star bagged both the goals in last week’s home win over the Jets, taking his season tally to three, however he’s the only name on the scoresheet for Wellington this season.
Hamish Watson looks set for a recall to the starting side, while at the other end of the park Lewis Italiano will deputise for goalkeeper Glen Moss, also on All Whites duty.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Connor Pain. The Mariners winger scored a sublime winner with his non-preferred right foot last weekend. His performance earned him a spot in the www.a-league.com.au Team of the Week.
FORM LINES
Central Coast Mariners: DLLDW
Wellington Phoenix: LLLLW
PREDICTION
Central Coast Mariners 2 – 1 Wellington Phoenix
