After a dismal couple of months for the A-Leagues, this was just the tonic. The sort of game everyone needed – except, of course, the Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers, who fought out a pulsating 2-2 draw that while thrilling for the neutral, ultimately does little for either team.
The atmosphere at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford was electric for this clash between the two strongest challengers to league leaders Melbourne City, and the football itself was too – the sort of quality fare that Socceroos coach Graham Arnold and his players argue is too easily glossed over by the Australian public.
The Wanderers celebrate Brandon Borello’s goal against the Mariners.Credit:Getty
The result was fair enough, but that no winner was crowned felt like a let-down after such a captivating contest, which went right down to the wire as chances went begging for both sides at the death, after 90 minutes of end-to-end action.
For the Wanderers, there is comfort in the knowledge that fresh legs are waiting in the wings – their new signing, former Manchester United and Everton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, watched on from the stands – but frustration that he won’t be joining a winning team when he makes his debut next Sunday at home to Western United.
Marko Rudan’s men haven’t won since the World Cup break and could have leapfrogged the Mariners into second had they done so here. Maybe they should have. This team looks like it’s ready to end Western Sydney’s awful six-year finals drought, but consistency remains a big question.
They started like a house on fire on Saturday night, but the Mariners held them at bay and took the lead in the 30th minute through a piece of individual brilliance from Samuel Silvera, who cut in from the right flank, fashioned space with a delightful turn and then took a shot that was deflected into the net from outside the box.
The Wanderers responded just five minutes later with an even finer piece of skill, conjured out of nothing by Yeni Ngbakoto. Oliver Bozanic’s cross to him looked rather benign until the ex-Congo international contorted his body and threw his foot at it, backheeling them a richly-deserved equaliser.
Socceroos aspirant Brandon Borrello then added his fourth goal of the season with a curling left-footed finish to cap off a rapid counter-attack, which put them 2-1 in front and seemingly on course for victory.
But the Mariners emptied their bench, throwing on current Socceroo Jason Cummings and wildcard recruit Christian Theoharous, who combined for the equaliser in the 73rd minute. Cummings got the credit for the goal but, in truth, he didn’t know much about it – Nectarios Triantis whacked a ball from Theoharous at goal, and it was on target, but found the back of the net via the Scotsman’s chest.
Earlier, Macarthur FC’s first match since Dwight Yorke’s shock exit as coach ended in a 2-2 draw with Western United. The Bulls were reduced to 10 men early in the second half, and then lost Daniel Arzani to injury, but came from a goal down to briefly lead 2-1 when Jed Drew scored in the 81st minute, only for a late strike from Nicolas Milanovic to steal a share for the spoils for the visitors.
It was also the same scoreline in the afternoon clash between Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory, who had a 2-2 stalemate in Palmerston North.
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