Played
March 17, 2012 5:30 PM EST
Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium — Gosford
Referee:‬ B. Williams‎
Attendance:‬ 7275‎
 

A-League preview: Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United

The Mariners know the Premiers Plate could be theirs by the final whistle on Saturday, but they must first overcome an increasingly stubborn Adelaide United

By Will Cutts

More On :  Adelaide United, Central Coast Mariners, Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United
A-League - Adelaide United - Central Coast Mariners - Bruce Djite - Mat Ryan
Getty

 PROBABLE LINEUP
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS


Ryan
Bojic, Wilkinson, Zwaanswijk, Rose
McGlinchley, Amini, Hutchinson, Rogic
Kwasnik, Ibini

ADELAIDE UNITED
Birighitti
Watson, Boogaard, Mullen, Golec
Caravella, Malik, Cassio
Vidosic, Djite, Ramsay
 
Central Coast can wrap up the A-League's Premiers Plate with victory over Adelaide on Saturday, providing the Newcastle Jets also win against the Brisbane Roar.

Just a handful of months ago, no-one would have predicted that the race would go to the wire, after the Mariners were over 10 points above Brisbane.

Having only won one game in their last seven, the Mariners will need to beat Adelaide to pick up some form heading into the finals.

Mustafa Amini - who played a part in Wednesday's Australia Under-23 match - will likely move into the starting XI to add some attacking flair to the squad, after the Mariners' lacklustre performance against Perth last Sunday.

The Mariners will be looking forward to getting back to Gosford and playing in front of their fans, after a massive road trip taking in stops in China and Perth. The squad will likely be rotated, with finals coming up and fatigue from their trip likely a factor.

Adelaide United come into the match after another solid defensive performance against Brisbane, but one on which they really should have capitalised after the Roar claimed a late equaliser.

Iain Ramsay and Dario Vidosic starred in a more defensive formation, where their counterattacking was influential.

Sergio Van Dijk and Eugene Galekovic missed due to injury and did not travel to Brisbane on Sunday. They may return to the side, though with Tuesday's AFC Champions League match the latter could be rested for this match.

"I'd imagine Eugene will be back and I think Bruce [Djite] did a good job, so Serge has got his work cut out," Kosmina said.

Cassio enjoyed playing in a central midfield role with Anthony Golec continuing to deputise at left-back. He added another dimension to their attacks and will be looking to do the same again.



 DID YOU KNOW?

  • Striker Adam Kwasnik is the only Central Coast player to score five goals against Adelaide United.
  • Central Coast are unbeaten in their last seven games against Adelaide.
  • Central Coast have won their last four encounters with Saturday's opponents.
  • Sergio van Dijk has only scored one goal against Central Coast while playing for Adelaide.
  • Adelaide have only been in the top six for two rounds of the season.

 

 

 

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Central Coast Mariners 8-0 Adelaide United
    25 %
  • Central Coast Mariners 2-2 Adelaide United
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  • Central Coast Mariners 2-1 Adelaide United
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Head to Head
Australia - A-League ‎(AUS1)‎ 24/03/2013 Adelaide United 0 - Central Coast Mariners 2
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Australia - A-League ‎(AUS1)‎ 25/01/2013 Central Coast Mariners 3 - Adelaide United 1
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Australia - A-League ‎(AUS1)‎ 01/12/2012 Central Coast Mariners 2 - Adelaide United 1
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Australia - A-League ‎(AUS1)‎ 17/03/2012 Central Coast Mariners 1 - Adelaide United 0
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Australia - A-League ‎(AUS1)‎ 21/01/2012 Central Coast Mariners 3 - Adelaide United 2
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Last Five Matches
Central Coast Mariners
15/05/2013Central Coast Mariners 1 - Guangzhou Evergrande 2ACL
30/04/2013Central Coast Mariners 0 - Kashiwa Reysol 3ACL
23/04/2013Suwon Samsung Bluewings 0 - Central Coast Mariners 1ACL
21/04/2013Western Sydney Wanderers 0 - Central Coast Mariners 2AUS1
14/04/2013Central Coast Mariners 1 - Melbourne Victory 0AUS1
Adelaide United
07/04/2013Adelaide United 1 - Brisbane Roar 2AUS1
30/03/2013Perth Glory 1 - Adelaide United 1AUS1
24/03/2013Adelaide United 0 - Central Coast Mariners 2AUS1
15/03/2013Adelaide United 1 - Newcastle Jets 1AUS1
11/03/2013Melbourne Heart 0 - Adelaide United 2AUS1
Odds
Team News
Available Squads
1Matthew RyanGoalkeeper
3Joshua RoseDefender
4Pedj BojicDefender
6Patrick ZwaanswijkDefender
-Alex WilkinsonDefender
7John HutchinsonMidfielder
11Oliver BozanicMidfielder
14Michael McGlincheyMidfielder
28Mohammad Mustafa AminiMidfielder
9Bernie Ibini-IseiStriker
-John SuttonStriker
20PasfieldGoalkeeper
23Troy HearfieldMidfielder
-Tomas RogicMidfielder
23Adam KwasnikStriker
1Eugene GalekovicGoalkeeper
3Nigel BoogaardDefender
4Jonathan McKainDefender
16Daniel MullenDefender
12Antony GolecDefender
2Osama MalikMidfielder
-Zenon CaravellaMidfielder
10Dario VidosicStriker
17Iain RamsayMidfielder
-Francisco UsucarMidfielder
11Bruce Jose DjiteStriker
30Mark BirighittiGoalkeeper
14Cameron WatsonMidfielder
15Jacob MellingMidfielder
10Sergio van DijkStriker
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Daniel McBreen Daniel McBreen
Striker
Central Coast Mariners 		19 4
Jeremy Brockie Jeremy Brockie
Striker
Toronto FC 		16 2
Marco Rojas Marco Rojas
Midfielder
Melbourne Victory 		15 0
Alessandro Del Piero Alessandro Del Piero
Striker
Sydney FC 		14 4
Besart Berisha Besart Berisha
Striker
Brisbane 		14 4