The clash
Melbourne City wrap up the busiest week of their season on Sunday as they face Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
The match is City’s third in eight days and after picking up wins against Wellington and Perth, Warren Joyce’s side have the chance to make it a vital three wins in eight days, keeping in touch with Newcastle in second place.
The story of the week has been the combination of Ross McCormack and Daniel Arzani as the duo combined for all of City’s goals against Perth and Wellington. The forwards will be out to run amok again on Sunday afternoon.
It won’t be easy for City as they take on a Mariners side looking to bounce back from an F3 Derby loss. Paul Okon’s side were in the contest until the final ten minutes of the match where they were over-run by the rampant Jets.
Despite the performance, the Mariners are winless in their last six matches with their last win coming against Perth Glory in Round 9. Since then, Central Coast have only scored once and their playing stocks have been ravaged by suspension, injury and international duty.
Six regulars will be missing for the Mariners including Andrew Hoole, Connor Pain and Daniel De Silva which will play into City’s hands.
Team News
It’s a relatively unchanged side for Tuesday night’s clash with Perth with City adding two youngsters to the selection mix. See our full team news.
Last time they met
City hosted the Mariners in Round 10 as a dominant first half from the hosts saw Ben Kennedy hold his clean sheet heading into the break. Ross McCormack was on hand to find the winner after 59 minutes as he netted his first goal from open play as City held on for the 1-0 result
What was said
Melbourne City Head Coach Warren Joyce
“I know they have goals in their team. They may have a couple of injuries but they have some quality players who are capable of scoring goals out of nothing so they are not a team to be taken lightly.”
Central Coast Mariners youngster Lachlan Wales
“It’s obviously tough when you lose experienced players but it’s not an excuse,” Wales said. “We have to go out there on Sunday against Melbourne City, we have to win the game and the injuries will be no excuse.
“I’ll continue to back my ability. If Paolo decides to give me the start, I will take that opportunity with both hands,” Wales said.
Where and when
Melbourne City face the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday at Central Coast Stadium, kick-off 5pm. City return home to AAMI Park next Sunday to face Adelaide in our final double header of the season. W-League kick-off 4.30pm while A-League kicks off at 7pm.
