Minor Semi Final; Preview
Posted by Jasper Reed in A-League, Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle United | 9 February 2006
Newcastle United v Central Coast Mariners (Energy Australia Stadium Newcastle, Friday)
The Minor semi pits the league's closest geographical teams against each other, and on paper, it looks like no contest. The form team of the competition, the Mariners have not lost since falling to a last minute Adelaide strike 9 games (and 3 months) ago. The minnows of the league have exceeded expectations by making it this far, and with plenty of top level experience can be considered real contenders if the big 2 slip up. Up against them is a Newcastle team low on confidence, having been beaten 5-0 and 3-1 in thier last 2 games by teams with nothing to play for but pride. Defence has been the Jet's problem all year, having the only deficient goal difference in the league other than New Zealand, but this seems to have worsened at the wrong time.
The Jets will be hoping that the finals bring a change of fortune. They will argue that the league is in the past and it's now a cup competition, but winning form is good form. Having won 4-1 at this stadium less than a month ago, it's hard to look past the Mariners
Tip; Central Coast 3-1
