Mariners V Pohang Steelers

[marinermick]

just acl at this stage but i think it will not be too long before he is signed on a deal

 

[elevated position]

I believe that was a good way to start the series. great for the players confidence.  Nice use of a defensive line up. Lack of "class" finishing of the chances both teams had kept the game nice and tight.
As I said overall a very good result for CCM

 

[Roy Law]

i am angry. Angry that when history was to be made on the Central Coast the negative tactics of the manager threw the opportunity away. According to the local paper the Mariners were going to attack and not be conservative yet McKinna played for a 0-0 draw at home - and he's happy with it! Two points dropped not one gained. Playing three defensive ballwinning holding midfielders makes for perspiration not inspiration. Caceres should have been on at half time not with twenty minutes to go and why take off Mrdja? was he injured? It was a home match, you are supposed to try to win. Now the Mariners are already playing catch up because of the two lost points and it's all the fault of McKinna's fear of the opposition who frankly laid the lie that Asian technique is superior to ours. Pohang were poor.

 

[Alicia]

Central Coast Mariners
Media Release
Wednesday, 11 March

Positive step for spirited Mariners

The Central Coast Mariners form renaissance it may not quite have been, but the yellow and navy have taken a major step in the right direction as a result of tonights tough 0-0 stalemate with Korean heavyweights Pohang Steelers in the clubs AFC Champions League debut at Central Coast Stadium.

Ninety tense minutes at the Mariners rain soaked bay side home could not separate the two sides, with both unable to land the knock out blow despite a scattering of half chances at either end.

Tonights result sees the Mariners emerge from their historic first taste of Asia with the knowledge that they have the ability to compete at the highest level on the continent, alongside their confidence boosting competition point and clean sheet.

The Mariners energies are now focused towards next Wednesdays unforgiving trip to Chinas east and the challenge of Tianjin Teda, where more points would be a welcome addition to tonights ultimately positive start.

"As we said before the game the first game is always the hardest, we didnt know a lot about Pohang, but once we got going we looked reasonably comfortable throughout the game," said Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna after the match.

"Overall, with the run that weve had lately, to not concede a goal is a big stat for us and I think that we can build on that as we go through now."

Measured and calculated, the Mariners set about their first Asian challenge in a diplomatic fashion largely controlling the opening stages without being able to manufacture chances on goal that reflected their dominance of possession.

Nik Mrdja and Matt Simon used in tandem as a front pairing for the first time in yellow and navy, provided the home side with a potent attacking outlet that was well serviced by fellow Qantas Socceroo Dean Heffernan, who excelled in his somewhat unfamiliar midfield role.

In defence, Nigel Boogaard and Alex Wilkinson were seldom tested behind the solid centre pair of John Hutchinson and new signing Shane Huke whose starting berth made him the 47th player to wear the Mariners crest in a competitive fixture.

While Simon tested Pohang keeper Shin Hwa-Yong in the first stanza, Huke applied the same pressure early in the second when forcing the visiting shot stopper to save his unwitting long-range effort that so nearly sneaked under the crossbar.

Not to be outdone, Mariners custodian Danny Vukovic pulled off a potentially game saving stop in the closing stages from Pohang midfielder Choi Hyo-Jin, who unleashed a stunning long-range effort that was goal bound if not for the intervention of the Mariners gloveman.

Such resilience exemplified the character of what was a Mariners performance of old, which while perhaps not as visually appealing as those past, was one that will give the players, coaching staff and club members and supporters great confidence ahead of the challenges that await at home and abroad.

"Were happy with the draw and probably think that we deserved a wee bit more, but comfortable with the result," said McKinna.

"There was some good football, some good following up, some good backing up and some good movement from both teams.

"After tonight, Id say that the end of the last Hyundai A-League season is behind us now, weve kept a clean sheet and we can build on that in Tianjin."

The Mariners AFC Champions League 2009 campaign continues on Wednesday, 18 March against Chinese Super League heavyweights Tianjin Teda at their Tianjin Teda Stadium home. Kick off is at 11pm AEDT.

The Mariners will next be at Central Coast Stadium for Match Day 3 of the AFC Champions League 2009, where they will take on Japans Kawasaki Frontale on Wednesday, 8 April. Kick off is at 8pm.

Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.

Match Details

Central Coast Mariners 20. Danny Vukovic (gk), 3. Shane Huke (21. Ahmad Elrich 84), 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Bradley Porter, 7. John Hutchinson, 8. Dean Heffernan, 9. Nik Mrdja (10. Adrian Caceres 72), 16. Nigel Boogaard, 17. Matthew Osman, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 19. Matt Simon

Unused Subs 13. Paul OGrady, 15. Andrew Clark, 22. Nick Rizzo, 23. Adam Kwasnik, 30. Andrew Redmayne (gk)

Yellow Cards Bojic 40, Simon 82
Red Cards None
Goals None

Pohang Steelers 1. Shin Hwa-Yong (gk), 2. Choi Hyo-Jin, 3. Kim Kwang-Suk, 5. Kim Tae-Su, 7. Kim Jae-Sung (6. Kim Gi-Dong 77), 9. Stevica Ristik (22. No Byung-Jun 80), 11. Brasilia (10. Denilson 51), 20. Shin Hyung-Min, 24. Hwang Jae-Won, 27. Kim Chang-Hoon, 32. Kim Hyung-Il

Unused Subs 8. Hwang Jin-Sung, 18. Namkung Do, 21. Song Dong-Jin (gk), 37. Kang Dae-Ho

Yellow Cards Shin Hyung-Min 78
Red Cards None
Goals None

Referee Khalil Ibrahim Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
Crowd 6,870

 

[Roy Law]

Liked the new strip; Huke was just average, he'll be a capable replacement for Osman but not for Jedinak. Forget playing Heff as a midfielder he can't receive the ball with his back to play and can't beat anyone in front of him, should go back to fullback where he can face the play and attack with space. Bojic never has been able to pass the ball. Wilko and Boogard both played well enough; Porter was solid but, sorry, he isn't a midfield player either for those who want him to be. Elrich looked dreadfully unfit which doesn't say a lot for Kwasnik or Rizzo. Thank goodness for Vukovic.

 

[bulldogmariner]

i am angry. Angry that when history was to be made on the Central Coast the negative tactics of the manager threw the opportunity away. According to the local paper the Mariners were going to attack and not be conservative yet McKinna played for a 0-0 draw at home - and he's happy with it! Two points dropped not one gained. Playing three defensive ballwinning holding midfielders makes for perspiration not inspiration. Caceres should have been on at half time not with twenty minutes to go and why take off Mrdja? was he injured? It was a home match, you are supposed to try to win. Now the Mariners are already playing catch up because of the two lost points and it's all the fault of McKinna's fear of the opposition who frankly laid the lie that Asian technique is superior to ours. Pohang were poor.

Answer to your questions.
Adrian was sick and could only last 20 to 30 minutes.
Nik can not play 90 minutes
Did you not notice Bojic and Heff overlapping each other through the match. Pretty attacking on the left. Porter more defensive than usual but still got forward.
With the current squad McKinna needs to play to the wings and get balls into the box for the strikers to attack but the Pohang captain and South Korean international was outstanding last night especially when he won a lot in the air.
1 Point from the first game is par. With Kawasaki winning last night it means that either Tianjin, Pohang or ourselves will be fighting for that 2nd spot. We do have the advantage of now heading to China where Tianjin are still in their off season and trying to get a point away from home at least but 3 would be nice. DMAC will come straight in if fit for Nik and we can use our width to attack Tianjin and get balls into the box.

 

[elevated position]

Caseras is never going to be our deliverer for an attacking midfied. 1. wont pass the ball forcing the stikers to stand flat footed while he dances.2. gets caught in posesssion too often .3. can't shoot (even during warm up can't hit the back of an empty net)
Elrich was taped to support a dodgy knee and should never have been put on that swamp. one wrong twist and another player out for next season.

 

[kevrenor]

Caseras is never going to be our deliverer for an attacking midfied. 1. wont pass the ball forcing the stikers to stand flat footed while he dances.2. gets caught in posesssion too often .3. can't shoot (even during warm up can't hit the back of an empty net)
Elrich was taped to support a dodgy knee and should never have been put on that swamp. one wrong twist and another player out for next season.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Agreed, if Elrich is "fit and raring to go" I would have hated to see him a month ago.