Goals to Andrew Hoole and Jake McGing across both halves garnished an impressive performance against the Sky Blues, who didn’t have any answers on the night. The result sparked raucous celebrations at full-time, especially from Mariners' coach Paul Okon.

Through certain blocks of the game the Mariners held up to 80% possession, and Tom Hiariej was the cornerstone of the team in the middle, the Dutchman staking his claim to be the best central midfielder in the A-League this season.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

Ben Kennedy (GK) – 6

The goalkeeper had a simple game and did what he needed to do. Kennedy wasn’t tested in a big way, but survived the late barrage of balls into the box.

Jake McGing – 8

Had a blinder at right-back and is looking more comfortable each week. The young defender showed some dash down the flanks and had an eye for a pass. He got his goal intelligently, reading the corner well and shaking off his marker.

Alan Baro – 8

The Spaniard kept the Mariners level-headed at the back. His defensive organisation was superb and thanks to him, the link between his line and the midfield was fluent. He received a late red card and his upcoming suspension will be felt across the Central Coast team.

Antony Golec – 7

Golec did his job at the back. A no-fuss defender, he cleared when the ball needed to be cleared, he kept in line with the rest of the back four and showed great ability against a difficult Sydney front four.

Josh Rose – 6

Had a serviceable game at left back. His passes forward could sometimes go awry but he found Conor Pain enough to be useful in attack. Had to keep an eye on David Carney for most of the night.

Tom Hiariej – 9

His work with Wout Brama in the middle of the park was outstanding. They interchanged roles all night and barely missed a beat. His passes were accurate, he was cool under pressure and he cut Sydney open, but more impressive was his defensive work.

Sydney struggled to get the ball forward effectively due to the amount of times Hiariej broke up the play.

Wout Brama – 8

Brama is in the same boat as Hiariej. He’s a great box-to-box player and fulfils multiple duties. The two Dutch midfielders have a great sense for each other in their push and pull partnership.

Andrew Hoole – 7

Hoole was persistent all night in bringing the heat to the Sydney defence, he showed endeavour and was rewarded with an early goal.

His finish past Redmayne looked easy but was anything but; running out on an angle with a defender on his inside, he still slotted it across the face of the keeper – that’s impressive.

Danny De Silva – 7

Young Danny played a solid game. His ability to carry the ball forward is up there with the best in the A-League and seems to have an idea of what he’s doing wherever he’s positioned, be it wide or central.

He just needs to work on his passing efficiency, but when he eventually gets that right he’ll be a constant menace.

Conor Pain – 6

Pain was heavily involved throughout the game. His runs gave Sydney plenty to think about, and he's growing into the role with every match.

Asdrúbal – 7

It's a shame he only played a half due to a heel injury he sustained before the break.

Asdrúbal is one of the most versatile forwards in the competition, with his ability to drop in and become another attacking midfielder to create play, he brings those around him into the game and can ignite attacks.

Kwabena Appiah – 6

Came on in the second half for Asdrúbal. It took him a little while to have an impact, but he took over from where the Spaniard left off once he found his rhythm.

He drifted backwards to provide an extra number on counter attacks and then used his speed to run at the defence and force them peddling backwards.

Trent Buhagiar – 5

Played the last ten minutes in place of Danny De Silva. Had a nice moment towards the end where he stripped Matt Simon of the ball and went for a dash into the box.

Liam Rose – N/A

Came on late for Hoole. Didn’t do enough for a rating.

 

 

SYDNEY FC

Andrew Redmayne (GK) – 5

Was beaten fairly and squarely on the two goals he conceded. He didn’t do much else in the match aside from picking the ball out of the net.

Luke Wilkshire – 5

Had an average game by his standards, especially after the previous week against Melbourne City where he scored a blinder.

Alex Wilkinson – 5

The Socceroos centre-back was left frustrated throughout the night and was way out of position for the first goal.

The Mariners stretched the Sydney defence to the sideline, which opened the middle for Hoole to run into – the exact space Wilkinson should’ve been occupying.

Jordy Buijs – 5

It’s always going to look poor when you’re constantly running backwards against a swarming Mariners team, but he threw his body around in the final third late in the game to try and find a goal.

Michael Zullo – 5

Zullo had his moments trying to get up the flank to create a chance, but he was part of a poor defensive unit and he was generally scrambling

Brandon O’Neill – 5

Tried hard and scurried around midfield in his very Brandon-O’Neill-kind-of-way, but ultimately was outclassed by the Dutch midfielders opposing him.

Joshua Brillante – 4

Had a poor game. His passing radar was off, and that was the error source that gave the Mariners both their goals.

De Silva stripped Brillante of the ball to start the attack for the first strike, and then Brillante let McGing loose for the second goal. He and O’Neill struggled to get the game motoring from the centre.

Alex Brosque – 4

Sydney's captain was very quiet. He had little impact in the first half and after the Mariners scored their second goal he was nowhere to be seen.

Milos Ninkovic – 6

Ninkovic tried his best to create something from the left side, drifting in but failing to link up with Bobo in any meaningful way. Carried a lot of the attacking workload with Carney.

David Carney – 6

Was probably Sydney’s best player for the hour he was on. He exposed Josh Rose down the right channel several times and cut onto his left boot for a few efforts on goal.

Bobô – 5

Like Brosque, he was shut down through the middle by the combination of central defenders and midfielders. The Brazilian had a few slashes at goal in the second period, but it just wasn’t his night.

Matt Simon – 6

Substituted on after the hour, he held up a few defenders, threw a few elbows, got physical – the regular Matt Simon performance. It took him a few attempts to be effective, but he certainly made the Mariners defence work harder towards the end.

Paulo Retre – 5

Came on for Luke Wilkshire in the 73rd minute. His first touch was a ballooned cross over the byline.

Anthony Kalik – 6

Played the final few minutes and had an immediate impact, whipping in multiple crosses and bringing a new energy to the Sydney team for the final moments.