Central Coast Mariners will look to make it 15 games without loss when they host Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday evening.
Central Coast Mariners will look to make it 15 games without loss when they host Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday evening.
Graham Arnold-s men didn-t put in their most stylish performance of the campaign on Wednesday night, however did manage to come away with a 1-0 victory over Melbourne Heart thanks to a late winner by Adam Kwasnik.
Kwasnik-s 89th minute goal came following a superb performance by the Yellow and Navy-s outstanding 19-year-old custodian Mathew Ryan, and the Mariners will again need the young shot stopper to be sharp with the likes of Sergio van Dijk and Dario Vidosic set to feature for the Reds.
Adelaide United are a reinvigorated outfit under manager John Kosmina, and are without loss in their past five games. Adelaide-s run of form includes impressive draws against Melbourne Victory, Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC, as well as wins against Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Heart.
And, if the statistics are anything to go by, fans are set for a tight contest when the match kicks off at 5:30pm. In nine meetings between the two sides at Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast have won four times, while Adelaide have collected all three points on three occasions. The teams have drawn just twice at Gosford-s idyllic seaside stadium.
Nevertheless, the Yellow and Navy can take motivation from the fact they have not been beaten by the men from the City of Churches in their last five matches. Indeed, the last clash between the two sides ended in an emphatic 4-0 triumph for the Mariners at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday 2 December, with Mustafa Amini, Bernie Ibini, Patrick Zwaanswijk and Rostyn Griffiths netting on the night.
Dutch Defender Patrick Zwaanswijk will play his 50th Hyundai A-League match for Central Coast on Saturday night.
Central Coast Mariners squad vs. Adelaide United: 1. Mathew RYAN (Gk), 2. Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Brad PORTER, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 9. Bernie IBINI, 10. Adriano PELLEGRINO, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Troy HEARFIELD, 13. Stuart MUSIALIK, 14. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 15. Brad MCDONALD, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Tomas ROGIC, 18. Alex WILKINSON (C) 20. Justin PASFIELD (Gk), 21. Sam GALLAGHER, 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK *seven to be omitted*
In: 5. Brad PORTER, 10. Adriano PELLEGRINO, 13. Stuart MUSIALIK, 15. Brad MCDONALD, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Tomas ROGIC, 21. Sam GALLAGHER (all promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Match details
Central Coast Mariners vs. Adelaide United
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 5:30pm (local)
Tickets: CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match.
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