Central Coast Mariners women and men have stamped their authority on the larger clubs of the A-League competitions, with the little club’s standing as a growing powerhouse in the Australian football landscape highlighted over the weekend of January 12-13.
On Friday night, January 12, the newly-formed Liberty A-League women’s team defeated the de facto New Zealand national team Wellington Phoenix 2-1 in the first game of the Unite Round played at Leichhardt Oval.
The women never fail to impress their ever increasing fan base with their technical quality, determination and most of all a team ethos which has drawn inspiration from the Matildas’ winning ways.
The Mariners men faced off against one of the richest and hardest teams in the A-League – Melbourne Victory – on Saturday evening, January 13, at Alliance Stadium (AKA Sydney Football Stadium) at Moore Park.
The men’s side looked set to go down to the Victory at the end of two halves of die hard football.
Then, one minute before regular time, a cool pass from Max Ballard saw 20-year-old Jing Reec score an equally cool goal, securing a draw for the Central Coast squad.
Both teams travelled back to the Coast with heads held high, secure in the knowledge that the club, its players, coaching staff and supporter base are collectively one of the most powerful units in Australian football.