The Central Coast Mariners have advanced to the 2024 AFC Cup Final, securing a commanding 3-0 victory (4-1 on aggregate) over Kyrgyzstan’s Abdysh-Ata Kant at Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium on Wednesday night.
Going into the match with a 1-1 draw from the first leg of the Inter-Zonal Final on April 17, the Mariners found their breakthrough in the 77th minute when substitute Miguel Di Pizio scored, setting up a decisive finish.
Mikael Doka soon added a second goal, further tightening the Mariners’ grip on the match.
As the game neared its conclusion, Di Pizio capitalised on a defensive error to notch his second goal of the night, capping off a stand-out performance in what was a pivotal game for the young player.
The Mariners, coached by Mark Jackson, are now poised to face Lebanon’s Al-Ahed in the final on May 5, marking their first appearance in a continental competition final and only the third time an A-Leagues club has reached such a milestone.
The victory guarantees the Mariners a financial boon of more than $1M AUD, with the AFC Cup champion set to earn USD $1.5M (AUD $2.3M), and the runner-up taking home USD $750,000 (AUD $1.14M).
The match in Gosford began tentatively, with neither team able to dominate early on. Central Coast had a scare when Atay Dzhumashev nearly scored for Abdysh-Ata, but Danny Vukovic made a crucial save.
The first half saw its fair share of aggression, resulting in several cautions, and the Mariners created a significant chance just before half-time with a strike from Doka that required a sharp save.
The intensity only escalated in the second half, highlighted by a series of near misses and strong defensive plays, setting the stage for the Mariners’ late-game heroics.
Substitutes Di Pizio and Ryan Edmondson were game-changers, with Di Pizio particularly impactful, scoring twice after his introduction.
His performance not only secured the win but also solidified a historic moment for the Mariners as they head to their first AFC Cup Final, an achievement Di Pizio described as a dream come true and testament to the team’s strength and unity throughout the competition.
CCM have been a unique team since their inception. the little team that could. and can. i love this team, well done CCM. more success to you.