CCM v GCU

[Nik Mrdjas Disco Bikkie]

Just got my tickets, pax already up to 9!!!
I believe we're a class above Gold Coast, but hopefully the boys have their mind on the job at hand and not on Brisbane already. Can't believe how long the week goes when you're waiting for big games like this!!

 

[Deej]

This is a game we should win, but I'm sure Adelaide said the same thing yesterday!

Smeltz, Porter and Djite can be very dangerous, if we can contain them and play our usual patient game we should be fine, you can never assume anything in finals football though.

 

[samster]

if we play to our potential then im sure we'll do it comfortably, hoping for a big turnout saturday night

 

[Wombat]

I think we are gonna miss Pedj but still fancy us for a 3.1 victory.

 

[nero]

13k crowd with a look of 16k at the stadium.

 

[Brighty]

I think we are gonna miss Pedj but still fancy us for a 3.1 victory.

So guessing Sainsbury will be brought in to cover. Although a talented youngster, can't remember which game it was at BT but he was getting owned down the right side 90% of the game. This tends to worry me in a finals scenario and as Deej said previously... Smeltz, Porter and Djite can be rather dangerous if given that little bit of space.

 

[Matt--Simon]

any other players on card trouble heading into this match, possibly missing the final?

 

[Forum Phoenix]

We "should" do this...
Biggest concern is probably Sainsbury with Minnicon running at him.
But still we just play much better and more consistent football - so lets hope that bares out.
They have players capable of individual brilliance - and GCU with Caravella back in are a different side for mine.

I would like to see Amini get some game time please Arnie. (Thoroughly agree with Roy Laws comments in ROAR game 2 thread.)

 

[elevated position]

Pedj's sending off might be a bonus "when we make the GF" as he picked up a card in the first semi and a second in the return and a third against GCU would have rubbed him out out of the GF.

 

[marinermick]

So guessing Sainsbury will be brought in to cover. Although a talented youngster, can't remember which game it was at BT but he was getting owned down the right side 90% of the game. This tends to worry me in a finals scenario and as Deej said previously... Smeltz, Porter and Djite can be rather dangerous if given that little bit of space.

In that game he was getting "owned" by Broich. No shame in not getting the best of the best midfielder in the competition.

 

[midfielder]

Smeltz in his last 11 games has scored 9 goals .... he is their big danger and has turned their season around ...

 

[Wombat]

In that game he was getting "owned" by Broich. No shame in not getting the best of the best midfielder in the competition.

Nah mick that was his debut and he was poor but the other game was a recent one at BT (i think against Bling) and he had a Barry crocker and thank christ he was taken off at half time.

Was much better against Fold Coast more recently.

 

[yellowcake]

Smeltz in his last 11 games has scored 9 goals .... he is their big danger and has turned their season around ...

...but the only game he's played in against us this season is the one they lost.

I've got a feeling GCU will score in this game, Smeltz is a fair chance. As long as we score 2 or 3

 

[Deej]

So only 2 days away I'm really keen for this 1.

As long as we approach this game like any other and play our usual game we should come through fine but I am concerned with Djite and Smeltz up front.

It's time for our big game and experienced players to step up, especially Wilks and Dutchy at the back, I think it's time Kwas put in a good performance too and we need Perez to create some magic!

---------------Ryan
Sains-----Wilks-----Dutchy-----Rose
-------------Griffiths
---McGlinchey---------Bozanic
---------------Perez
---------Kwas-------Simo/McB

Bench - McB/Simo, Musti, Hutch, Bernie, Hendo

Any news on Simon? Will he be fit?

I'm going 3-2 Mariners

 

[MagpieMariner]

I want to see Matty keep a clean sheet so he can be the first keeper in A-League history to get 13. Theo then can only match him, not beat him the following week.
If he can stay clean, we will win because we have scored in every match against them this season. A bit of a worry though, so have they.

 

[kevrenor]

Hyundai A-League 2011 Preliminary Final

Central Coast Mariners vs. Gold Coast United

Saturday, 5 March 2011

Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford

Local kick-off: 7.00pm

Referee: Strebre Delovski

Assistant referees: Paul Cetrangolo and Ashley Beecham

Fourth official: Gerard Parsons

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD and Sky Sports 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League partner is 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Central Coast Mariners: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel McBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 18. Alex WILKINSON, 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 24. Bernie IBINI ISEI, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk).

*one to be omitted*

In: Matthew LEWIS (promoted), Trent SAINSBURY (promoted), Matt SIMON (return from injury)

Out: Chris DOIG (released), Pedj BOJIC (suspended - 1 week)

Unavailable: Michael BAIRD (knee - 1 week), Brad PORTER (knee - 4 weeks), Nik MRDJA (knee - season), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season)

Gold Coast United: 1.Glen MOSS [gk], 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE (c), 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.ANDERSON, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 19.Andrew BARISIC, 20.Scott HIGGINS [gk], 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 24.John CURTIS, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Chris HAROLD, 33.Peter PERCHTOLD

*four to be omitted*

In: Adama TRAORE (return from quad injury), Steve FITZSIMMONS (promoted), Ben HALLORAN (promoted), Chris HAROLD (promoted)

Out: Nil.

Unavailable: Jason CULINA (knee injury – season), ROBSON (hamstring injury – 2 weeks), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – indefinite), Matt OSMAN (knee injury – season).



Head-to-Head: All matches (played 6): Central Coast Mariners wins 2, Gold Coast United wins 2 (2 draws)

· In aiming to reach a record-equalling third Hyundai A-League Grand Final appearance, the Central Coast Mariners will need to break a five-match winless streak in finals series matches this weekend. After reaching the 2008 Grand Final with a 3-0 win over Newcastle Jets in the 2008 Major Semi Final second leg (3-2 on aggregate), the Mariners were winless in their next five finals series matches, including the 2008 Grand Final (v Newcastle), 2009 Elimination Semi (two legs v Brisbane Roar) and 2010 Major Semi (two legs v Brisbane Roar).

· After scoring two goals last weekend, Gold Coast United striker SHANE SMELTZ has reached 49 career goals in the Hyundai A-League, putting him in line to become just the second player (after Archie Thompson) to score 50 Hyundai A-League goals.

 

[Deej]

If he can stay clean, we will win because we have scored in every match against them this season. A bit of a worry though, so have they.

Was 0-0 up at Skilled Park earlier in the season, they also beat us 3-2 at home. We had a 3-1 win up there so it's been pretty even this season, it certainly isn't going to be an easy match and the Mariners would be foolish to think anything different.

 

[scottmac]

Cant believe that Matty will be considered for a spot less that 2 weeks after a deep cut to the foot requiring stiches. Must be the fastest healer ever! You wouldn't even think he would be training right now.

 

[marinermick]

---------------Ryan
Sains-----Wilks-----Dutchy-----Rose
-------------Griffiths
---McGlinchey---------Bozanic
---------------Perez
---------Kwas-------Simo/McB

I'm punting for:

---------------Ryan
Wilko-----Griffiths-----Dutchy-----Rose
-------------Hutch---
McGlinchey---------Bozanic
---------------Perez
---------Kwas-------McB

 

[Deej]

could happen Mick.......big game for Sains against 3 good strikers, experience at the back will be crucial