FOOTBALL
The Mariners succumbed to a hard-fought contest at Leichardt Oval on Sunday, January 30 when the game finished 3-2 in Sydney’s favour after the lead having changed three times during the match.
Defensive disharmony in crucial moments was the bane of the visitors yet a second goal this season for captain Oliver Bozanic and a debut goal for Jason Cummings were highlights and the team continued to show promise.
Sydney had already lost twice to the Mariners this season so they took to the field intending to raise their attacking pressure – a tactic that culminated in Sydney doubling their shots on goal against their competitors.
Many of Sydney’s attempts were off-target but the opening goal came at the close of the first half for Sydney’s Anthony Caceres, who scored from the penalty spot due to Jacob Farrell’s handball in the box.
After the break, the Mariners responded positively to take over the scoreboard with two quick goals prior to the final third of play.
In the 53rd minute, a neatly orchestrated corner routine between Beni N’Kololo and Joshua Nisbet brought the ball to Bozanic on the outside edge of the penalty area, the defence left staggering to cut down his over-afforded space.
The captain’s strike had power and curve, dipping onto the bottom edge of the crossbar to leave Sydney goalkeeper Tom Heward-Belle square footed.
With this boost in confidence, the Mariners chased the game with heightened exuberance, notably in the 57th minute with Nisbet’s prospective lobbed through ball to the forward surging Marcos Urena, who snuck behind centre back, Alexander Wilkinson to reclaim possession.
His pass found Cummings back tracking to work the space before unleashing a grounded strike at goal, hitting both side-posts on its route into the net, giving the Mariners an unexpected lead.
The ability to score two quick goals outside the box was a hopeful sign of the team’s growing flexibility in attack but it seemed to come at the expense of their strong defensive cohesion from earlier this season.
The Mariners soon suffered two conceded goals, both from astute Sydney passing play leaving their fatigued defensive efforts in the wake.
In the 71st minute, Max Burgess’ cross went unchecked by Mariners’ centre back, Ruon Tongyik, opening up a simple, point-blank finish for Deyvison ‘Bobo’ da Silva, initially called offside but overruled after a lengthy process.
Seven minutes later, the winning goal was scored by Caceres, making good on an incisive counterattack that led to an one-on-one opportunity against Mariners’ keeper, Mark Birighitti.
Sydney’s attacking pressure in the hot afternoon sun ultimately succeeded in tiring the Mariners’ defence, who may be anticipating the return of Kye Rowles from the Socceroos to restructure their back line.
At the top end of the field, the contribution of Cummings was immediately felt and leaves fans expecting more goals to come, and more signature ‘Joker smile’ celebrations to follow.
In the eyes of Head Coach Nick Montgomery Cummings’ great effort in front of goal was one positive among several concerns requiring attention.
“For Jason to come off a plane a couple of days ago (and play), that was a big ask to throw him in but I thought he was superb today, his goal was top class,” Monty said at the post-game press conference.
“He’s a top player, and the shift he put in, in that heat, after coming from minus temperatures in Scotland, shows how much more he has to give and he’s going to get better and better.
“(It was) a big ask of the boys today under the circumstances… we go away with nothing, but proud of the boys’ fight and the performance they put on in the second half.
“There are plenty of positive to take out of the game today (against Sydney), a few things to fix and we’ll have a couple of players back next week as well.”
This refreshing of the squad will be timely ahead of the Mariners’ first ever FFA Cup Final to be played in Melbourne against Melbourne Victory on Saturday, February 5.
“We’ve got to dust ourselves down: we’ve got a week to prepare some of these boys who have been off sick to get them ready for the (FFA Cup) Final,” continued Monty.
“It’s a massive occasion for the club, the players, and everyone involved.
“We’re really looking forward to the game (with) everything against us: (we’re the) underdog going to Melbourne, AAMI Park – shame we didn’t get the game at Central Coast Stadium – but what an achievement it will be to go there and get a result.
“(Melbourne Victory) have had a good run of form as well but we’ll go there full of confidence and enjoy the game and try and win like we do every week.”
CCN