Central Coast’s coach Lawrie McKinna would have been most unhappy about his team conceding an equaliser in the 94th minute against Melbourne last week, meaning the defending premiers have picked up just one win in their first five games.
Date: Friday September 26
Kick-off: 8pm AEST
Venue: Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
TV and Radio: Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2 and Sky Sports 1. Hyundai A-League club radio broadcast partner is Coast FM (Gosford) 96.3FM and 6PR (Perth). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Head-to-head
Nine A-League meetings: Central Coast – 6 wins, Perth – 1 win, Draws – 2
Previous meeting
Perth Glory 1, Central Coast Mariners 1, Round 19, January 2008
Results so far
Central Coast:
Round 1: Newcastle Jets 1, Central Coast Mariners 1, EnergyAustralia Stadium
Round 2: Central Coast Mariners 2, Sydney FC 3, Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Round 3: Queensland Roar 2, Central Coast Mariners 4, Suncorp Stadium
Round 4: Wellington Phoenix 0, Central Coast Mariners 0, Westpac Stadium
Round 5: Central Coast Mariners 2, Melbourne Victory 2, Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Perth:
Round 1: Adelaide United 1 Perth Glory 0, Hindmarsh Stadium
Round 2: Perth Glory 3, Newcastle Jets 3, Members Equity Stadium
Round 3: Sydney FC 5, Perth Glory 2, Sydney Football Stadium
Round 4: Queensland Roar 3, Perth Glory 0, Members Equity Stadium
Round 5: Perth Glory 1, Wellington Phoenix 0, Members Equity Stadium
Analysis
Central Coast’s coach Lawrie McKinna would have been most unhappy about his team conceding an equaliser in the 94th minute against Melbourne last week, meaning the defending premiers have picked up just one win in their first five games.
It is the second time this year that the Mariners have been unable to make the most of having a man advantage on their rivals and given Matt Simon had put them in front with just six minutes left, they should have held onto the points.
But that’s all behind them now and they must regroup against a Perth side which snatched its first win of the season against Wellington last week. The rocket David Mitchell gave his troops after the loss to Queensland has clearly had an effect on the Glory’s players and they produced a solid accountable performance last week. A win here would see them go above the Mariners in the table.
However, Perth has only beaten the Mariners once before, way back in September 2006. Since then Central Coast has won four of the five matches between the two.
Nik Mrdja gets another shot at a comeback and has been included in an extended squad along with Andrew Clark. The injury list remains the same for the Mariners who shouldn’t expect Andre Gumprecht, Greg Owens, Ahmad Elrich and Dean Heffernan back any time soon. Danny Vukovic has two rounds remaining of his suspension.
Perth won’t make too many changes with Frank Juric in as back-up keeper with Tando Velaphi dropping back the Youth League. Amaral, James Downey, Dino Djulbic, Hayden Foxe and Josip Magdic remain sidelined.
Central Coast Mariners Squad. 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Bradley PORTER, 6. David D’APUZZO, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 9. Nik MRDJA, 10. Adrian CACERES, 11. Dylan MACALLISTER, 13. Paul O’GRADY, 15. Andrew CLARK, 16. Nigel BOOGAARD, 17. Matthew OSMAN, 18. Alex WILKINSON, 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Sasho PETROVSKI, 23. Mile JEDINAK, 30. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 40. Mark BOSNICH (gk).
*two to be omitted.
In. 9. Nik MRDJA (Promoted), 15. Andrew CLARK (Returns from Illness)
Out. Nil.
Unavailable. 2. Andre GUMPRECHT (Knee – Indefinite), 8. Dean HEFFERNAN (Leg – Indefinite), 12. Greg OWENS (Hamstring – Indefinite), 20. Danny VUKOVIC (Suspended – 2 rounds), 21. Ahmad ELRICH (Knee – Season).
Perth Glory Squad. 1.Jason PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 3.David TARKA, 4.Jamie COYNE (c), 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 8.James ROBINSON, 9.Adrian TRINIDAD, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Frank JURIC (gk), 22.Wayne SRHOJ, 27.Stuart McLAREN.
In. 20.Frank JURIC (promoted).
Out.. 30.Tando VELAPHI (National Youth League).
Unavailable. AMARAL (hamstring – 2 weeks), James DOWNEY (calf – 1 week), Dino DJULBIC (suspended – 3 weeks), Hayden FOXE (foot – 2 weeks), Josip MAGDIC (ankle – season).
