Bring the noise to Bluetongue Stadium! Help the Mariners push for the title with non-stop singing on Saturday!
Bring the noise to Bluetongue Stadium! Help the Mariners push for the title with non-stop singing on Saturday!
There is yet more cracking Hyundai A-League action on offer in Gosford on Saturday, as Central Coast Mariners aim to take another step towards the title. The Yellow Army has been in fine voice all season, so once again it is time to make yourself heard and ensure that Bluetongue Stadium remains an impenetrable fortress. Secure your tickets today and get ready to cheer your team to a vital victory as their bid for silverware hots up!
One of the games that illustrated the Mariners have the wherewithal to finish on top of the pile this season came against Saturday’s opponents. In December, the Yellow & Navy travelled to Adelaide and displayed a master-class in efficient, powerful and incisive football, which resulted in a 4-0 win. Had Reds goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic not been in fine form, the scoreline would have been even more embarrassing for the home side.
However, while Graham Arnold’s men have been in irresistible form for much of the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season, last weekend offered them a reminder that they are not going to be allowed to simply walk to the title. Amid a passionate and noisy atmosphere created by nearly 11,000 rival fans, they were unable to carve out a win in the F3 derby against Newcastle.
Despite not claiming all three points though, the home side showed the spirit of champions by fighting back from a losing position to take a draw. Had Troy Hearfield’s penalty not been brilliantly saved in the first-half, then the Mariners would surely have secured all three points but, still, the stalemate was enough to set a new club record of 13 games unbeaten.
Talking of unbeaten runs, Adelaide travel to New South Wales on the back of a five-match undefeated streak which stretches back to the appointment of new boss, John Kosmina.
Last weekend, they came from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw against Victory at AAMI Park. The team showed calm heads and refused to panic when they fell behind after just six minutes and came under constant pressure after that. They were eventually rewarded by Sergio van Dijk’s neat finish. The striker is on fire at the moment, having struck four times in three games. He seems to be particularly potent when playing way from home, so the Mariners’ back-line will need to keep an extra close eye on him on Saturday.
The Central Coast might be sitting at the top of the tree, but Adelaide United have hit a decent vein of form since their new coach was appointed, so this match-up is sure to take a very different shape to the cakewalk that the Yellow & Navy experienced when last they met. Yellow Army, your support is absolutely crucial. Turn Bluetongue Stadium into a cauldron of noise and give your players the encouragement they need to chalk up another three points!
