Central Coast Mariners 2-1 Brisbane Roar
By Alice de Koster-Kitto 30/3/25
Above: Central Coast celebrations. Photo: A-Leagues.
Central Coast Mariners have taken the points in a thrilling 2-1 win against Brisbane Roar at Industree Group Stadium this Sunday evening. The win has solidified the Mariners 5th place ranking, leaving them just one point away from claiming their place in the Ninja A-League finals.
This highly anticipated match was as exciting as expected from the start, with Laini Freier opening the scoring just 25 seconds in, putting Brisbane Roar in a dangerously early lead.
While Central Coast was quick to fight back and regain possession, a high press from Brisbane made it difficult for the hosts to find any real dominance, in what is already a contentious and physical game.
Brisbane found quite a few early opportunities, getting close to extending their lead just minutes in. A strike from Pringle tested Mariners keeper Sarah Langman, followed quickly with a second shot from Freier that ended too high, keeping the mariners on their toes as they fight for points in this crucial meeting.
A lost opportunity for Brisbane Roar to take a two goal lead came when Popadinova took and missed a free header that was just off target, much to the disappointment of the visiting side.
While in form, it seems that the Mariners side may have been shaken by Roar’s early lead, as they were unable to create any real opportunities, and appeared quite nervous on the ball. That was until Central Coast Mariners equalised with a fantastic solo goal from Izzy Gomez, who gained possession in the midfield, running the ball from the halfway line to the box and shooting directly to the back of the net as Richards was off the line.
Gomez’s goal shifted the momentum, instating a new energy into the hosts, as the match was now anyone’s game, after it seemed to be leaning in favour of Brisbane.
Another run from Izzy Gomez, passing to Peta Trimis, almost put Central Coat in the lead, and although Trimis’s strike was ultimately too high, it was enough to shake a confident visiting side.
There was no lack of action or aggression in the remainder of the first half, with the Mariners taking most of the big chances, however, the scoring was left even at the break, with no more goals to be found.
The impetus did not deplete at the top of the second half, with both sides desperate to take the lead, although it did take quite a while for any opportunities to be created, a far cry from how the game opened.
Brisbane took back the dominance in possession, but could not make a goal of their efforts, despite a few good chances, notably from Deborah-Anne De La Harp, who had a series of attempts early into the second half, none of which could be finished.
The 72nd minute, saw a strike from Annalise Rassmussen put the Mariners in the lead, as the tension of the match hit its peak, marking Rassmussen’s 6th goal of the campaign. The two goal lead was not satisfactory for the hosts however, as they continued to capitalise on any and all opportunities that arose, in search of a third.
The shift in energy for Central Coast appears to be largely due to a triple substitution, with Tiana Fuller, Leia Puxty and Tess Quilligan coming on in place of Jade Pennock, Peta Trimis, and Brooke Nunn, which bought a sense of unity in the midfield that was absent for the majority of play until this point.
Brisbane Roar got dangerously close to equalising when a shot from Tanaye Morris, went straight to the hands of Sarah Langman , foiling what would have been a crucial goal for the Roar, as stoppage time approached.
After four minutes of added time, and as string of last-minute opportunities at both ends, neither side was able to find the back of the net, as Central Coast Mariners came away victorious with a 2-1 win in what was an exhilarating and crucial match.
The meetings of Round 22 will come with immense pressure, as the 2024/24 Ninja A-League season comes to a close in the coming weeks. Central Coast Mariners will host Melbourne Victory at Industree Group stadium in what will be an exciting battle against the current second place holders. Brisbane Roar will also head home to take on Western Sydney Wanderers as they fight to gain any last minute points they can, as the final rounds approach.
Central Coast Mariners (4-4-2): Langman, Nash, Martin, Gomez, Pennock, Galic, Ray, Rasmussen, Rowe, Nunn, Trimis Substitutions: Carmichael, Fuller, Quilligan,
Puxty, Hughes
Scorers: Gomez 22’, Rasmussen 72’
Brisbane Roar (4-3-3): Richards, De La Harpe, McQueen, Hayashi, Blissett, Woods, Yallop, L.Freier, Hecher, Pringle, Popadinova Substitutes: Levin, Kruger, Morris, Hoyos, Gibson.
Scorers: Freier 1’.
Referee: Isabella Mossin.
Attendance: 722.
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