Melbourne City FC has the chance to lift its first-ever Premiers Plate this Saturday night if it can secure a win against Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park. It’s shaping up to be a huge clash between two of the top teams on the A-League table, click here to get your tickets!
The clash
City’s recent 2-2 draw with Wellington may have seemed like it would prolong the wait to secure an inaugural Premiers Plate, but results around the league have ensured that the team can do so by beating the Mariners on Saturday night.
The draw with Wellington was a rollercoaster experience for fans, with the team initially going behind via a penalty converted by Tomer Hemed, before Patrick Kisnorbo rung the changes at half-time and got the improvement he was looking for, with Naoki Tsubaki and Jamie Maclaren scoring to see City to a 2-1 lead.
No shortage of action across the 90 minutes at @AAMIPark yesterday.
📺 Catch up on all the highlights from our 2-2 draw against the Phoenix.#CmonCity | 🎟 https://t.co/f0HxtsbIOA pic.twitter.com/ACMfnsURds
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) May 17, 2021
With just minutes remaining in the encounter, and the game almost looking like it was wrapped up, Wellington were able to capitalise on a turnover just outside their area, with David Ball whipping in a cross for Hemed to toe into the back of the net, ensuring a point for his side.
Whilst settling for a point may have been a frustrating outcome for fans given how the game was poised with just minutes remaining, a pleasing aspect of the performance will have been the spirit shown by City’s young brigade, with our front three consisting of under-21’s and Connor Metcalfe taking the captain’s armband for the day
Saturday’s opposition, the Central Coast Mariners, are in the midst of their best season in years, and will be desperate to fortify their grip on second place.
Their recent 1-0 victory over local rivals Newcastle Jets snapped a run of six games without a win, with Matt Simon’s 54th minute penalty proving the difference between the sides.
The record between the teams is split evenly this season, with City taking out the last encounter 2-0 at home but suffering a 3-2 defeat earlier in the campaign.
Another win at home. 😎
Check out all the highlights of last night's win against the Mariners!#CmonCity | 🎟 https://t.co/HbhU3SIRcE pic.twitter.com/IKMA5cFOoz
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) March 23, 2021
History is certainly on the home team’s side with the game being played at AAMI Park, given Central Coast haven’t won away to City since March 2014.
Team News
Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo has made two additions to his squad, while at this stage there are no outs. Defender Kerrin Stokes and midfielder Taras Gomulka have both been promoted and could feature in Saturday’s huge clash.
Melbourne City FC squad
1.Tom GLOVER (gk), 2.Scott GALLOWAY, 3.Scott JAMIESON (c), 4.Nuno REIS, 5.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 7.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 8.Aiden O’NEILL, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.Florin BERENGUER-BOHRER, 11.Craig NOONE, 14.Naoki TSUBAKI, 16.Taras GOMULKA, 17.Stefan COLAKOVSKI, 18.Connor METCALFE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.Adrian LUNA, 22.Curtis GOOD, 23.Marco TILIO, 33.Matthew SUTTON (gk), 36.Kerrin STOKES.
**2-4 to be omitted**
In: 16.Taras GOMULKA (promoted), 36.Kerrin STOKES (promoted).
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 13.Nathaniel ATKINSON (hamstring), 15.Andrew NABBOUT (adductor).
Match Details
A-League Round 22
Melbourne City FC vs Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 22nd May, kick-off 7.10pm
AAMI Park
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