Central Coast Mariners punched their ticket through to the AFC Cup knockout stage thanks to a 3-0 victory over Stallion Laguna in the Philippines on Wednesday.
The Mariners advanced as Group G winners after Marco Tulio bagged a brace and Christian Theoharous also scored in the matchday-six fixture at Binan Football Stadium, where the visitors qualified for the ASEAN Zonal Semi-Finals.
Reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions Central Coast, who crushed Laguna 9-0 in the reverse fixture, knew a win would guarantee their passage from the group phase and the AFC Cup’s leading goalscorer Tulio set the tone with a beautiful chip in the 23rd minute.
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Theoharous then came off the bench to make it 2-0 just past the hour mark before Tulio netted his second 10 minutes from the end – his eighth of the campaign.
There was a false start at the start of the game as players stood around while officials scrambled to fix a hole in one of the nets.
When play did get underway in warm conditions, the Mariners – who made three changes to their defence after last week’s win over Western United and started the day one point clear of Terengganu FC – controlled possession and dictated play.
Chances, though, were few and far between on the artificial pitch but that was until some smart thinking and a sublime finish unlocked Stallion Laguna in the 23rd minute.
A long throw-in exposed the home side as Tulio received the ball inside the penalty area, turned and produced a wonderful chip from an acute angle. Laguna players appealed that the ball did not cross the line, however, it did and Central Coast celebrated.
Josh Nisbet had a chance to double the lead five minutes later when he tried his luck from just inside the penalty area while a great first-time ball from Harrison Steele almost picked out Jing Reec in the 31st minute.
Danny Vukovic, who break the A-League Men’s all-time clean sheets record last week, was called into action two minutes later and his brilliant save kept Laguna at pay.
The hosts unlocked the Mariners’ defence as Junior Sam was played through on goal but Vukovic stood tall to thwart the Cameroonian attacker.
Gaps started to appear in Central Coast’s backline as Laguna searched for an equaliser prior to the break.
Within a minute of each other five minutes into the second half, substitute Alou Kuol had a shot saved and Nisbet’s lofted effort sailed just over the crossbar.
The Mariners got their second goal in the 64th minute – half-time substitute Theoharous’ attempt on goal took a wicked deflection as it found the back of the net.
There was an interesting moment for Laguna during the final 15 minutes as they made a goalkeeping change, handing Vicente Valdez his debt in the continental competition.
Laguna came within a whisker of reducing the deficit in the 77th minute when a free-kick made it through the wall and hit the post but hopes of a comeback were dashed when Tulio struck again two minutes later.
Tulio played a neat one-two with Nisbet before beating the substitute goalkeeper at his near post.
The Talking Point
The equation facing Central Coast was simple pre-game: Win and a spot in the knockout round awaits.
It was mission accomplished midweek as Mark Jackson’s Mariners proved too strong for a team they humbled 9-0 in the reverse fixture in Gosford.
The conditions were challenging – warm weather and an artificial pitch. But the Mariners navigated the challenge to extend their unbeaten streak to five matches across all competitions.
And they were able to get the job done without having to turn to Brian Kaltak, who was able to watch from the bench ahead of Sunday’s trip to Melbourne City in their Grand Final rematch.
The Star
Who else but Marco Tulio?
The Brazilian has well and truly made the competition his own this season.
Before Wednesday, he had six goals and two assists to his name in the AFC Cup.
By the end of the 90 minutes, he scored another two goals to extend his competition-leading tally to eight goals while Central Coast have found the back of the net 21 times in the group phase.
What it means
Another game and another match undefeated for Central Coast.
The Mariners haven’t lost since November 12 – against Brisbane Roar in the A-League Men. It is their best unbeaten run since going eight games without defeat en route to winning the Championship last season.
Next up is Sunday’s showdown with three-time reigning premiers Melbourne City.
