A-League Round 6 kicks off with the second clash of the season between Central coast Mariners and Melbourne Heart. On the first occasion, in Round 1, the Mariners took the points with a 1-0 win thanks to an Alex Wilkinson header at AAMI Park but since then, both sides have mixed their form.
The Mariners drew two and lost one of their next three before breaking the rut with a win over the Heart's neighbours Melbourne Victory.
The Heart camp have had exactly the same kind of results since that loss, culminating in their first-ever win as a club over North Queensland Fury on the weekend.
The notable inclusion of key defender Micahekl Beauchamp is a big plus but has been offset by the loss of Rutger Worm and Alex Terra who have both succumbed to injury. This could give a start to ex-Mariner John Aloisi who will be hoping to thrive in front of his old fans.
With nothing of note to report in the Mariners camp, it suggests that things are fairly stable and I predict this one to be a fairly stable result for both clubs.
Verdict: 1-1 draw.
Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne HeartVenue: Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford Date: Friday, 10 September 2010 Local kick-off: 8.00pm Head-to-Head: Played 1: Central Coast Mariners 1 win, Melbourne Heart 0 wins 0 (0 draws) Referee: Peter Green
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & on Sky Sports 3. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Central Coast Mariners squad: 2 Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Brad PORTER, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 9. Nik MRDJA, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 23. Adam KWASNIK, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk) *two to be omitted* In: Matthew LEWIS, Chris DOIG (promoted) Out: Nil Unavailable: Patricio PEREZ (suspended - one week), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season), Trent SAINSBURY (knee - four weeks)
Melbourne Heart squad: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Michael MARRONE, 3. Brendan HAMILL, 4. Simon COLOSIMO (c), 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6. Matt THOMPSON, 9. Gerald SIBON, 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 11. Alex TERRA, 12. Peter ZOIS (gk), 15. John ALOISI, 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 18. Ante TOMIC, 19. Eli BABALJ, 21. Kliment TASESKI, 22. Nick KALMAR, 23. Dean HEFFERNAN, 24. Aziz BEHICH *three to be omitted* In: 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 18. Ante TOMIC Out: 7. Rutger WORM Unavailable: Kristian SARKIES (Leg - Indefinite), Josip SKOKO (Hamstring - 1-2 weeks), Rutger WORM (Hamstring 2-3 weeks), Kamal IBRAHIM (Calf - 1 week)
