Close, but no cigar: David Williams reacts after missing a goal. Photo: Getty
Melbourne City paid the price for its wasteful finishing giving up two late goals to draw with Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on Sunday.
City were headed for a comfortable win after going 2-0 up early in the second half via goals from Mate Dugandzic and Erik Paartalu.
But a free kick from Mariners substitute Glen Trifiro gave the City crowd of 9402 a nervous finale. Then Mariners captain John Hutchinson made their worst fears a reality, cracking home a low strike just before the final whistle to make it 2-2 and give his struggling side a share of the points.
City’s defence and midfield controlled much of the match, but once again they lacked poise in the box, something they hope will be rectified when marquee signing Robert Koren returns from injury in early December and Socceroos striker Josh Kennedy takes the field in February.
City coach John Van’t Schip said his side had dropped too deep after the first goal thus allowing the Mariners chances to score.
“You never have it in the bag,” Van’t Schip said “We put on the board in our prematch talk that its 90 minutes plus that we need to concentrate for.
“That showed today again that in the last second of injury time we conceded the goal for the draw.
“We were not taking it for granted that we had the win, we dropped too deep at the end.
“It’s a shame because if you look at the whole game we played better.”
Van’t Schip also questioned why referee Adam Fielding moved Trifiro’s goal-scoring free kick closer to goal for his repeat attempt after City player Jacob Melling had run out of the wall too early during Trifiro’s first shot.
“First it was correct that Melling came out and got a yellow card,” Van’t Schip said.
“But then to put it 10-metres more up front, I think that was a strange decision – normally you give the player a yellow card and the free kick is at the same spot.
“In the other situations the referee did very well, we all make mistakes but I think that was a crucial one.”
Mariners coach Phil Moss said Hutchinson’s goal was much deserved and he hadn’t lost faith his side could find an equaliser.
“Hutchy is in there at the moment getting drug tested because he scored with his right foot from outside the box,” Moss said with a beaming smile.
“Great to see the boys have such enjoyment on their faces at full time.
“Overall I thought we were good value for the point.”
On nine minutes, Iain Ramsey stormed down the left flank and put in a perfect cross to the near post that found forward Mate Dugandzic. His header perfectly went across the goal and into the far bottom corner to make it 1-0.
It was the lively attacker’s second goal in two games following his pivotal goal against Brisbane Roar last start.
On 53 minutes the weight on City’s possession finally bore a second goal with Duff’s corner from the right side curving onto the head of midfielder Erik Paartalu who thundered home a header into the far left corner of the goal to make it 2-0.
The Mariners contested the corner believing the ball had come off a City player but they couldn’t blame anyone but themselves for a player of Paartalu’s size and athleticism being able to leap for the cross.
Williams had a clear-cut chance to kill off the contest soon after as he was put on goal, but his shot drilled into Reddy’s body.
City looked primed for a third goal when Williams sent Duff down the right side of the box but his dangerous low cross went untouched on 62 minutes.
The Mariners looked shaky on their feet and the introduction of young striker Marc Marino gave the home side a focal point in the box with the AIS product almost connecting with two Duff crosses just minutes after he replaced Williams.
Melling deserved a goal in the 75th minute when he drilled a rolling pass towards the top right corner only for Reddy to save.
Melling then earned a yellow card minutes later for moving too close to a Mariners’ free kick just to add salt to his wound.
Former Northcote City midfielder Glen Trifiro gave the Mariners’ late hope with a curving free kick on the 79th minute with the substitute’s strike looping over Redmayne’s driving hand into the left corner. Hutchinson’s strike at the death set off wild celebrations from the visitors as the City faithful were left to slam their seats shut and trudge home.
Melbourne City host Sydney FC at AAMI Park this Saturday night at 7.30pm.
Melbourne City 2 (M Dugandzic 9th minute, E Paartalu 53rd) drew Central Coast Mariners 2 (G Trifiro 79th, J Hutchinson 93rd) at AAMI Park on Sunday. Crowd: 9402.
source: smh.com.au
Ο Βλαντιμίρ Πούτιν ήταν ο πρώτος που έφυγε από τη Σύνοδο Κορυφής της G20 
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 
