United recorded wins over Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United to get this far, both of which were largely surprising victories.

Meanwhile, a first leg 2-0 home loss to Brisbane cost the Mariners despite a brilliant comeback at Suncorp Stadium.

The teams have shared the spoils this season with each winning once and the other meeting ending in a draw.

United share no fears about visiting Bluetongue Stadium, particularly after their 3-2 win courtesy of a 74th-minute winner from Andrew Barisic in late November.

With striking duo Shane Smeltz and Bruce Djite in good form, Miron Bleiberg will be confident his team can beat most others on their day.

Smeltz scored a brace and Djite put away the other in Adelaide last week but will find it more difficult against one of the league’s best defensive pairings in Patrick Zwaanswijk and captain Alex Wilkinson.

But it’s a Mariners outfit full of confidence after claiming a “psychological win” against Brisbane, clawing back a two-goal deficit by half time.

The home side will be without defender Pedj Bojic who received a controversial second yellow card late in the clash with Roar.

Striker Matt Simon could be a big inclusion after a freak foot injury kept him out last week.

While the performance of each defence could decide the game, Central Coast’s front trio of Simon, Daniel McBreen and Patricio Perez need to play their parts in the attacking third.

The work of Oliver Bozanic and Michael McGlinchey on either side of the diamond is just as important going forward for the Mariners.

The defensive lines at either end, including two of this season’s best shot stoppers in Glen Moss and Mathew Ryan, need to ensure mistakes are avoided as both teams are capable of pouncing on errors.

 

Hyundai A-League 2011 Preliminary Final
Central Coast Mariners vs. Gold Coast United
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Local kick-off: 7.00pm
Referee: Strebre Delovski
Assistant referees:Paul Cetrangolo and Ashley Beecham
Fourth official:Gerard Parsons

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD and Sky Sports 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League partner is 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au

Central Coast Mariners: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel McBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 18. Alex WILKINSON, 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 24. Bernie IBINI ISEI, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk). *one to be omitted*
In:Matthew LEWIS (promoted), Trent SAINSBURY (promoted), Matt SIMON (return from injury)
Out:Chris DOIG (released), Pedj BOJIC (suspended - 1 week)
Unavailable:Michael BAIRD (knee - 1 week), Brad PORTER (knee - 4 weeks), Nik MRDJA (knee - season), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season)

Gold Coast United: 1.Glen MOSS [gk], 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE (c), 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.ANDERSON, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 19.Andrew BARISIC, 20.Scott HIGGINS [gk], 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 24.John CURTIS, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Chris HAROLD, 33.Peter PERCHTOLD *four to be omitted*
In: Adama TRAORE (return from quad injury), Steve FITZSIMMONS (promoted), Ben HALLORAN (promoted), Chris HAROLD (promoted)
Out: Nil.
Unavailable:Jason CULINA (knee injury – season), ROBSON (hamstring injury – 2 weeks), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – indefinite), Matt OSMAN (knee injury – season).

Head-to-Head:All matches (played 6): Central Coast Mariners wins 2, Gold Coast United wins 2 (2 draws)

  • In aiming to reach a record-equalling third Hyundai A-League Grand Final appearance, the Central Coast Mariners will need to break a five-match winless streak in finals series matches this weekend. After reaching the 2008 Grand Final with a 3-0 win over Newcastle Jets in the 2008 Major Semi Final second leg (3-2 on aggregate), the Mariners were winless in their next five finals series matches, including the 2008 Grand Final (v Newcastle), 2009 Elimination Semi (two legs v Brisbane Roar) and 2010 Major Semi (two legs v Brisbane Roar).
  • After scoring two goals last weekend, Gold Coast United striker SHANE SMELTZ has reached 49 career goals in the Hyundai A-League, putting him in line to become just the second player (after Archie Thompson) to score 50 Hyundai A-League goals.