Can the league leaders get one hand on the Premier’s Plate with a massive win over the current title-holders?
Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Saturday 4th February, 5.30pm
Can the league leaders get one hand on the Premier’s Plate with a massive win over the current title-holders?
For Central Coast Mariners, every game is now another obstacle to be hurdled on their journey to glory. With a 10 point lead at the top of the ladder, all they need to do is keep avoiding the banana skins and the title will be theirs soon enough.
Even though there is still a long way to go in the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season, victory in this Saturday’s showdown at Bluetongue Stadium will see them essentially put an end to any lingering hopes current premiers Brisbane Roar have of retaining their crown.
So, Yellow Army, this Saturday is really the time to get along to Bluetongue Stadium in large numbers and give your players your unequivocal vocal support. With your help, your club can take a huge leap towards sealing the title. Getting Roar out of the picture would be a huge achievement, so be there and make the difference in this season-defining tussle.
While the Yellow Army were disappointed that their side’s game last weekend was postponed due to the awful weather on the Gold Coast, amazingly, Mariners’ title hopes were given a boost without them even playing.
Much to the delight of Central Coast fans, Brisbane slipped up at home to Newcastle. Despite throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the Jets’ defence after going 1-0 down midway through the first period, they couldn’t find the net, and found themselves suffering a home defeat.
Brisbane might be down on their luck at the moment, but they are never a side to be taken lightly and are always capable of dealing a devastating blow – Mariners know that better than most – so this will be a very tricky contest indeed for the home side.
A Roar win would bring them to within seven points of the leaders, while defeat would rule them out of the race for the prize. With so much at stake, expect Brisbane to come out with all guns blazing – it is simply a must-win game for them.
While the Yellow & Navy have enough breathing space for it not to be essential that they win this clash, how the Yellow Army would love it if their side were to deal the killer blow to Brisbane’s faint title hopes.
After the heartbreak that Mariners suffered at the hands of Roar in last season’s grand final, victory on Saturday would go some way to getting their own back on the Queenslanders.
Honours are even in matches between the two clubs in the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season. With Brisbane triumphant at Suncorp on the opening weekend and Mariners grabbing a crucial win at the same venue in December. Which way will the pendulum swing this time?
Be there for this epic grudge match and see if the side from Gosford can prise the Premier’s Plate from Brisbane’s grasp!
