A well-oiled, merciless Central Coast Mariners outfit destroyed an undermanned Sydney FC side 7-2 at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night.
A well-oiled, merciless Central Coast Mariners outfit destroyed an undermanned Sydney FC side 7-2 at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night.
The scoreline sent a serious statement to the entire competition with Daniel McBreen earning himself a piece of Club history with the Mariners- first ever Hyundai A-League hat-trick, midfielder Tomas Rogic netting a brace, Michael McGlinchey thundering home a left footed shot, and Sebastian Ryall inadvertently finding the back of his own net.
Sydney-s strikes in the nine goal thriller came via Yairo Yau and Ali Abbas in the ninth and 55th minutes respectively, however the Sky Blues were largely outclassed by a Mariners team urged on by a vociferous, impressive crowd of 15,686.
Undeterred by Sydney opting against playing their injured marquee man Alessandro Del Piero, Central Coast fans turned out in great numbers and were rewarded with a classy display of attacking football.
Indeed, those in attendance can lay claim to being part of an historic evening at what is undoubtedly Gosford’s premier entertainment destination.
Graham Arnold-s team didn’t get off to an ideal start as a crucial error in the back line resulted in a mouth-watering chance for Yau. The frontman took full control of his opportunity, cleanly chipping into the net to give Ian Crook-s team the lead.
However the fans at Bluetongue didn-t have to wait long for the Mariners to kick off their seven-goal extravaganza. Rogic pounced after a rebounded Mile Sterjovski strike in the 16th minute to put the yellow and navy on level terms.
The Mariners took the lead in the 30th minute courtesy of a Ryall own goal. A low, long-range Rogic strike troubled Necevski who popped the ball out to McBreen. The goal-getter worked hard to get a touch on the ball and then in attempting to clear and under extreme pressure from McBreen, Ryall bundled the ball into his own net.
In the 39th minute the Mariners continued their attacking domination and made the score 3-1 with a penalty converted by McBreen. Former Mariner Trent McClenahan bundled over McGlinchey in the box before McBreen clinically sent his side 3-1 up.
Sydney FC started the second half with confidence and intent. Having changed their shape in an attempt to find a way back into the game, Abbas gave the Sky Blues hope with his 55th minute goal. The former Newcastle Jet did well to lob Ryan following Yau-s neat chipped pass.
Sydney-s joy was short lived though as the Mariners struck back immediately through the consistent McGlinchey. Showing his class, the New Zealander dribbled past two would-be defenders on the right before driving the ball into the Sydney FC goal to send Central Coast 4-2 up.
McGlinchey-s ripper was the beginning of a ten minute goal frenzy.
In the 62nd minute Rogic found himself in front of an open goal after some fancy footwork, and made no mistake in slotting the ball home in front of a rapt Yellow Army.
Eager to punish their rivals, McBreen added to his – and the Mariners- tally – in the 65th and 67th minutes.
McBreen-s second goal was a simple finish after the ball came off the upright following a well-worked Sterjovski shot, while his third was a brilliant header after Rose sped down the left before crossing accurately into the box.
McBreen-s hat-trick propelled him up the Hyundai A-League goalscoring chart on an historic night on the banks of the Brisbane Water. Indeed, the hard-working, tough marksman ensured he took home the match ball post match.
The tremendous triumph delighted Central Coast boss Graham Arnold. The former Qantas Socceroos mentor said he saw a strong performance coming at training on Thursday.
“I felt that performance was coming on Thursday. The way they trained Thursday was nearly the best I have seen since I have been at the Club and you could see the focus was there,” he said.
“It-s a new system and still a work in progress. I think that we can better in transition to attack. We worked hard on that this week. The way I tried to build our new system is always about our defensive structure and our defensive structure is always about transition to attack.”
Arnold was also ecstatic for hat-trick hero McBreen.
“It-s fantastic for Macca,” Arnold said. “We have changed his training loads and how we work with him because he is such a hard worker. Even at training he gives 110 per cent and he has been guilty himself of working that hard at training that when Saturday comes he is a little bit down.”
“We have lightened up the training loads enormously to keep his feet fresh and his mind fresh. I think you can see he is getting the rewards from it.”
Central Coast Mariners play their next Hyundai A-League fixture away to Wellington Phoenix on Sunday 11 November in New Zealand, before venturing to Melbourne to face Ange Postecoglou’s Victory in round 7.
The team’s next home game is at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday 25 November against Brisbane Roar. Kick-off is 5:00pm. Tickets are available from Ticketek.
Central Coast Mariners 7 (Rogic 16-, 62-, McBreen 39- (pen), 65-, 67-, Ryall (OG) 30-, McGlinchey 56-)
Sydney FC 2 (Yau 8-, Abbas 55-)
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Mathew Ryan (Gk), 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Joshua Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7. John Hutchinson (c), 14. Michael McGlinchey (12. Troy Hearfield 82-), 16. Trent Sainsbury (5. Zachary Anderson 85-), 17. Nick Montgomery, 21. Mile Sterjovski (9. Bernie Ibini 66-)
Subs not used: 20. Justin Pasfield (Gk)
Yellow cards: Sainsbury
Red cards: Nil
Sydney FC: 1. Ivan Necevski (Gk), 2. Sebastian Ryall, 7. Brett Emerton (c), 9. Paul Reid (24. Hagi Gligor 71-), 14. Mitchell Mallia, 18. Trent McClenahan, 19. Kruno Lovrek (12. Blake Powell 46-), 21. Yairo Yau, 22. Ali Abbas, 23. Rhyan Grant, 25. Daniel Petkovski (15. Terry McFlynn 46-)
Subs not used: 20. Vedran Janjetovic (Gk)
Yellow cards: McClenahan, Yau, Ryall
Red cards: Nil
Referee: Strebre Delovski
Attendance: 15,686
