ALTHOUGH it would have to be considered 2 points lost, rather than a point won, yet again the Mariners have delivered an encouraging performance in the ACL. Playing away in China is no easy task, for any team.

An away point in what is a very close group will be extremely valuable, but oh...what could have been! Any impartial observer would have to agree the Mariners dominated this game, particularly in the second half.

Although McKinna fielded an unchanged line-up from game day one against Pohang, tactically the Mariners played a far superior style of football, and were assisted by the Tianjin side dropping back to defend on their 18 yard line. There were occasions where the Mariners managed to string in excess of 20 passes together, and to be honest I wondered what team I was watching.

Porter provided some good width on the right on this occasion, and outplayed Mark Bridge easily. Bridge was again disappointing, much like his performance all season for Sydney. He simply does not inject himself into the game. The technical skills he possesses are wasted if the commitment level isn't there.

Likewise the other Tianjin players that showed they know how to control the ball and move with it quite prettily, were not able to sustain any pressure, nor maintain sufficient general possession to seriously suggest they will be a genuine threat in this competition.

Even Damiano Tomassi, a quality former Roma, and Azzuri player, was unable to dominate his much less heralded opponents, in the form of John Hutchinson and Shane Huke. He may be 34, but this is far from past it at this level. Certainly North Queensland are hoping this is the case with Robbie Fowler. Dare I say he played like he was there for a holiday.

The greatest threat in the Tianjin side was presented by the Brazilian forward Eber Luis, and this was not because he played like a prototype Brazilian forward.

Scorer of the first Tianjin goal, Eber was a threat because he ‘put himself about' and was all arms and legs. The best way to describe him is probably that he plays like a Brazilian Ian Dowie (I know I'm testing some memories here).

Matt Simon was equally as threatening, and really looked very composed and confident on the ball. His touch was very soft, and apart from the touch that led to his well taken goal, he showed that his overall control and passing is continuing to improve. As usual, he worked very hard, and crucially did all the basic things with real quality. Unfortunately, we tend to not give enough credit when players just do their job really well.

Although Simon has no real detractors in the informed football press, there are many ill informed observers who seem to have a pathological hatred of the guy for some obscure reason.

It's possibly envy, arising out of the fact that he has succeeded in playing for Australia so quickly after playing at a local league level, whereas his critics have never managed to progress past playing reserve grade for Mt Druitt? I don't really know.

One thing is certain. If he continues to develop, and display the enthusiasm and commitment he has been showing, he will make a successful professional career for himself in the game.

Don't be surprised to seem him in a few years time, banging in goals week in week out in the Scottish Premier League, or the Championship, and making a very tidy $10-$15 grand a week, possibly more. The way Newcastle Utd are playing, he could be replacing Michael Owen in what will be the biggest club in the Championship in 2010.

The Mariners are now reasonably well placed in this group, going into the next game against arguably the strongest team in the group, Kawasaki Frontale. Frontale managed a draw away to Pohang, and at this early stage the group is now delicately poised (am I sounding like Andy Harper?... perhaps I could said ‘the group is looking particularly tasty').

With their form improving, and the goal drought broken, McKinna has good reason to go into this game with a lot of confidence despite missing both Bojic and Simon for this game through suspension.

Coaching to defend corners is not the most difficult thing to do, so I'm sure we will not see the same fundamental mistakes in guarding the far post again in this campaign. It was embarrassing for both Porter and Huke, who otherwise played quite well.

For those predicting the Mariners would be an embarrassment for the A-League in this competition, it's time they considered eating some humble pie.

I am certainly prepared to admit that McKinna may yet prove my past criticisms to be unjustified.