Central Coast Stadium will play host to its first-ever FFA Cup match as the Mariners face-off against Ernie Merrick’s Wellington Phoenix on Tuesday night.
There is still a month to go until the A-League season gets up and running, so both teams will no doubt be looking for a positive result in their first competitive match of the new campaign. The tournament holds mixed memories for the Mariners, having progressed all the way to the semi-finals in the inaugural year. However, the disappointment of their defeat to Adelaide no doubt brings about great frustration, and going further in the competition would be a bonus to the club’s profile on the national scale.
For Wellington, who were also eliminated by Adelaide last season, this match represents a chance at redemption, and also a chance to show that the squad has moved on from the talents of Nathan Burns. The match will also show how ready the NZ side’s youth players are to play competitive football after an off-season with plenty of departures but only a single move into the club.
Coaches Ernie Merrick and Tony Walmsley have points to prove this coming season. Merrick wishes to show his side’s ability to sustain a title tilt all season, whilst Walmsley looks to solidify his grip on an extended contract after a tumultuous year at the Mariners. Either man can start achieving their aims with a win at Central Coast Stadium.
Key Battle – Roy Krishna vs Harry Ascroft
Roy Krishna is now the most experienced striker in the Phoenix squad, following the departure of Socceroo Nathan Burns and Costa Rican Kenny Cunningham. Krishna, a Fijian international, enjoyed his best scoring figures in the A-League last season, with nine goals in 25 appearances. Given that Krishna often played second fiddle to Burns, the 27-year-old would be optimistic about his chances of reaching double figures this season. With his electric pace and a fierce shot, any defender that fails to take Krishan seriously will no doubt be punished.
Set to square off against Krishna in the heart of the Mariners’ defence could be one of many players. Eddy Bosnar was a starting centre back last season, while veteran fullback is also able to move into the central role. However, Walmsley looks set to name a pair of younger heads in central defence, with new signing Harry Ascroft and youth product Jake McGing looking to be the likely combination.
Ascroft comes to the coast with serious credentials, having played in the Dutch Eredivisie with VVV-Venlo. The 20-year-old was released earlier in the year due to financial difficulties at the club, allowing him to make a return home to Australia. Plessed with a sharp turn of pace, Ascroft should prove difficult to beat for the Phoenix attack, in particular Blake Powell. A good performance here by the newly signed defender could win him a starting place for the rest of the season.
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Team News
The Mariners will have much of last season’s first-choice eleven available for the match, with the exceptions of the suspended Liam Reddy and defender Jacob Poscoliero. Storm Roux and Josh Rose should be starting fullbacks, while young defenders Ascroft and McGing should be given the chance to continue their promising pre-season form. Liam Rose will likely start in central midfield next to Nick Montgomery following John Hutchinson’s retirement, and new signings Mitch Austin and Roy O’Donovan should feature in attack.
Central Coast Mariners Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Izzo (GK); Roux, Ascroft, McGing, J. Rose; Montgomery, L. Rose; Ferreira, Fitzgerald, Austin; O’Donovan.
Wellington Phoenix Expected XI (4-3-3): Moss (GK); Fenton, Durante, Sigmund, Muscat; Riera, Bonevacia, Rodriguez; McGlinchey, Appiah, Krishna.
Head-to-Head
Of the 24 matches played between these two sides, the Mariners have the slight edge with 11 wins. The Phoenix have secured all three points against the Central Coast side on eight occasions, and the teams have only drawn five times.
Previous Meeting
Wellington Phoenix 3 Central Coast Mariners 2, Westpac Stadium, Friday April 17, 2015.
Prediction
It will no doubt be a tough fixture, but based on home advantage it looks as though the Mariners will be the ones to progress if things go down to the wire.
Central Coast Mariners 1 Wellington Phoenix 0
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