Mariners: Off to Asia?

Central Coast Mariners 2 Wellington Phoenix 0.

Have The Mariners done enough? With Sydney and Queensland facing difficult games, the Mariners may just be off to Asia.

A nervous Mariners had to wait until 90+3 for the second goal, until then it was tense.


Goals

A great header by John Aloisi early in the second half.
Tom Pondlejak supplied both goals. Adam Kwasnik finished late on, and didn't Coach Lawrie McKinna celebrate.

The celebration told it's own story.

Wellington Phoenix

Lively, played well in parts but really benefited from a tired Central Coast side.

Exciting Phoenix players

Not much on show. No Brazilians. Ahmed Elrich benched. Shane Smeltz showed a little but there were few signs for the future.

A great season and a great benefit to the A-League but they really need to rebuild if they are to get into the four next year.

Despite the Aussie commentator talking them up they ain't exciting to watch. Not really. Ross Aloisi, Michael Ferrante, Tim Brown and Richard Johnson driving a midfield.

No thanks!

The Coaches

Ricky Herbert is a great coach. Everyone tells us all the time, and yet he has one of the worst defences in the league. And are pretty miserable away from home.

Herbert needs to recruit well, and on the salary cap it won't be easy.

Lawrie McKinna: Saw the problems of last season. No goals and so came up with some quality recruits who can score. Aloisi, Sasho Petrovski to name two.

And tonight when his team needed a goal Aloisi scored his seventh of the season.

McKinna has guided his team to the four, and maybe into Asia.

Talking Point

Sasho Petrovski. Was pulled down not once but twice, no penalty. Referee Kevin Docherty got it wrong, horribly wrong.

Weather
Chucked it down, but 10,000 still rocked up and got soaked. Times have changed in Australian football.

Finals form

The Mariners dug out a result, but they look tired, injured and don't look like they can go any further. They'll need that second chance.

All eyes turn to Sydney and then Adelaide for the Grand Finale tomorrow.