The clash
Melbourne City FC will be looking to make it two wins from two to open the 2018/19 Hyundai A-League season when they travel to Central Coast Stadium to face Central Coast Mariners on Saturday afternoon.
Head Coach Warren Joyce and his men will be looking to extend their winning start to the season, following a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory at Marvel Stadium last Saturday night.
Keisuke Honda opened the scoring in the 28th minute for the home side, before fellow marquee-man Ritchie De Laet hit back to level the scores on the stroke of half-time.
Second-half substitute and new-signing Riley McGree sealed all three points after finishing off a brilliant team goal in the 70th minute. The 19-year-old latched on to a brilliant through ball from Luke Brattan to find the back of the net with his first touch of the match.
Despite City’s positive Round 1 performance, Saturday afternoon’s task won’t be easy as they come up against a Mariners outfit keen to register their first win of the season.
Head Coach Mike Mulvey’s team are coming off a 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium last Sunday.
Central Coast opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Connor Pain found the back of the net, before the home side equalised through Adam Taggart in the 65th minute.
Brisbane Roar came home with a wet sail on their home deck, but the Mariners will be pleased with the way they dealt with the pressure.
Despite the Mariners strength at home, City will be eager to hit the ground running with two wins from two matches to open the new campaign. After last season’s fast start, City will be looking to replicate their early 2017/18 form against a Mariners side who have been tough to break down at home.
With fireworks expected from both sides, expect to goals on the Coast the Saturday
Team news
Experienced duo Dario Vidosic and Scott Jamieson return to the squad for the encounter after recovering from illness and injury respectively. See our full team news.
Last time they met
City defeated Central Coast 1-0 at AAMI Park in Round 26 of the 2017/18 Hyundai A-League season.
Bruno Fornaroli’s low drive from the edge of the penalty area in the 49th minute was enough to secure the three points at home.
What was said
Melbourne City Goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic
“They are a very good team. We obviously not only know about the threat of Ross (McCormack) but also their front four so we’ll be wary of that. The Derby was a good win for the boys, it was tough but once we got in the change rooms, it was all about this week against the Central Coast.”
Central Coast Mariners forward Ross McCormack
“We move on to Saturday still confident. We know Melbourne City are a good team but they’re definitely beatable and we’ll be looking to try and do that.
“There are a lot of new players there but they’re still playing the same sort of way as we did last season.
“We’re under no illusion. We know they’ll be difficult to beat but as the manager keeps [saying], we’ll give it a go every single game.”
Where and when
City play Central Coast at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday afternoon, kick-off 5:35pm, before hosting Sydney FC in a blockbuster home opener and double-header with the Women’s team on Friday, 2 November.
