Mariner prove grit to make Grand Final

The Central Coast Mariners have set up a blockbuster re-match with Brisbane Roar for Hyundai A-League supremacy after beating Gold Coast United 1-0 in the Preliminary Final at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night.

A 76th minute goal from Adam Kwasnik was enough to send his Mariners’ side into the Hyundai A-League Grand Final against the Roar next Sunday and seal the clubs’ place in next year’s AFC Champions League.

As expected, the match was a cagey affair with good chances few and far between.

It was no surprise then, when the home crowd of 7,500 erupted as Kwasnik slotted a first time shot off a Michael Thwaite rebound past Moss and into Gold Coast’s net, giving his side the winning goal.

Matt Ryan was outstanding in goal for the Mariners and made two magic saves minutes after Kwasnik’s goal to keep his side in the lead.

First was a block from a venomous Joel Porter strike, before quickly rising to save a goal bound shot from Adama Traore with a strong palm.

The Mariners took it to Gold Coast from the kick off and should have gone ahead after two minutes of play.

Daniel McBreen had a golden chance to give the Mariners’ the perfect start with a goal, but missed the ball from six yards out.

Some slick one touch play and a marauding run from Kwasnick opened Gold Coast’s defence up before he cut the ball back for McBreen who failed to capitalise on the chance.

It was a see-saw first half with both sides struggling to take a strangle hold on the match for extended periods of time.

Bruce Djite missed Gold Coast’s best chance of the half after Tahj Minniecon played a nice wall pass before rolling the ball for Djite.

Minniecon put Djite one on one with Mariners’ custodian, Ryan, but could do no more than hit his shot straight at the young shot stopper in the 13th minute.

The Mariners finished the half strongly and will feel unlucky not to have gone into the break with a lead after Patricio Perez and Pedj Bojic replacement, Trent Sainsbury, both spurned guild-edge chances.

Ryan again proved his mettle, this time pulling off a strong one on one save with Djite after the Gold Coast frontman tried to round him in the 57th minute.

Injury forced Perez off in the 65th minute with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. It could be a cruel blow to the Argentinian and the Mariner’s club if he fails to take place in the decider.

The next 10 minutes was a golden patch for the Mariners in which they created a number of good chances, going close with headers from Zwaanswijk and Bozanic, a Steve Pantelidis clearance and Mustafa Amini shot.

Though moments later Kwasnik sent the crowd into euphoria.

The Mariners continued their stellar season and deserved to win the tightly fought match, and their place along side the Roar for the decider next Sunday.