CENTRAL Coast Mariners travel south over the Tasman Sea for Hyundai A-League round 12 with the aim of repeating their matchday 6 triumph over Wellington Phoenix.
CENTRAL Coast Mariners travel south across the Tasman Sea for Hyundai A-League round 12 with the aim of repeating their matchday 6 triumph over Wellington Phoenix.
The last time Graham Arnold-s side met Ricki Herbert-s team in the land of the long white cloud was on November 11 this year. On that day, Daniel McBreen-s second half strike secured the Mariners all three A-League points.
Currently on an unbeaten run of eight matches, Central Coast possess a dominant record over the ‘Nix in New Zealand and will be looking to record their seventh consecutive triumph over the yellow-blacks in the game.
Potent Paul
The man with the most goals in clashes between the Mariners and Phoenix is former Millwall, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace attacker, Paul Ifill.
Indeed, Ifill has bulged the back of the net five times in games against Mariners, and will be one to watch on Saturday when the two sides clash at the ‘Cake Tin-.
Interestingly, Ifill was a teammate of Central Coast midfielder Nick Montgomery at Bramall Lane from 2005 to 2007.
Happy hunting ground
During Graham Arnold-s tenure as Central Coast Mariners boss, the yellow and navy have enjoyed a strong record in windy Wellington.
In fact, in ten meetings at Westpac Stadium, Central Coast have won five matches and secured two draws, ensuring a return of 17 points from a possible 30 from trips to New Zealand.
The team takes strong form over the ‘Nix into this particular contest, with six straight wins over their A-League rivals to their credit.
Attacking Aces
Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix possess the two top goal getters in the Hyundai A-League in Daniel McBreen and Jeremy Brockie respectively.
McBreen has netted nine goals so far this campaign, Brockie seven.
The duo also rank first and second in total shots on target with McBreen having blasted accurately on goal 18 times this season, Brockie 15.
Additionally, Brockie takes risks in attack in order to evade his markers, as evidenced by his rank as the player ruled offside the most in the competition.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T
There has never been a red card in matches between Mariners and Phoenix.
Wellington Phoenix vs. Central Coast Mariners – Hyundai A-League round 12
Saturday 22 December, 2012
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
Kick-off: 5:00pm (local); 3:00pm (AEDST)
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter. The official match hashtag is #NIXvCCM
TV: LIVE on Fox Sports 1 & Fox Sports 1HD from 3:00pm AEDST
