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Central Coast Mariners celebrate after winning the second leg of the A-League Men's semi final against Adelaide United to qualify for the grand final.
Central Coast Mariners celebrate after winning the second leg of the A-League Men's semi final against Adelaide United to qualify for the grand final. Photograph: Izhar Khan/Getty Images
Central Coast Mariners celebrate after winning the second leg of the A-League Men's semi final against Adelaide United to qualify for the grand final. Photograph: Izhar Khan/Getty Images

Central Coast defeat Adelaide to surge into first A-League Men grand final in a decade

  • Central Coast 2-0 Adelaide United (4-1 aggregate) to vie for title
  • Mariners play defending champions Melbourne City on 3 June

Central Coast Mariners coach Nick Montgomery has warned naysayers to write his side off at their peril after his charges set up an A-League Men grand final clash with Melbourne City.

The Mariners surged into their first decider in a decade with a 2-0 triumph over Adelaide United in Gosford on Saturday evening, winning the two-legged semi-final 4-1 and setting up a date with the three-time defending ALM premiers at Commbank Stadium on 3 June.

“In two weeks time, there will be a bit of a David versus Goliath battle but we’re looking forward to it,” Montgomery told reporters. “We can’t wait to walk out and, whatever happens that night, we’ll give it a good crack. We know we can beat anybody, so we’ll go in full of confidence and go in and try to win the game against a very good Melbourne City team.”

Saturday was the third time in as many games the Mariners had defeated the Reds, preceded by a 2-1 win in the first leg and a 4-1 thumping in the final week of the regular season.

And Montgomery admitted that perceived attempts from their opponents to down-play that form guide had provided some added motivation for his side.

“They had to come here and win, they were desperate,” he said. “We wanted revenge because there’s been a lot of talk coming out of Adelaide for the last couple of weeks.

“There’s a couple of ways to lose. You can lose with dignity and accept that you got beat by the better team, or you can make excuses. And there were a lot of excuses over the last couple of weeks.

“I kept quiet, we kept quiet. I said to the boys, let your football do the talking. I think nobody can think any different: we deserved to get to the grand final.”

After finishing the regular season in second, Saturday’s progression continues a remarkable turnaround in the Mariners’ fortunes.

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Central Coast Mariners celebrate the team’s win with fans and their first grand final since 2013.
Central Coast Mariners celebrate the team’s win with fans and their first grand final since 2013. Photograph: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

In 2019-20, the same season in which City were beginning their run of four straight grand final appearances, the Mariners recorded their fourth wooden spoon in five seasons. But in the three campaigns since, the Mariners have more games than any ALM side other than City and played finals every year.

“Even going into tonight people still doubted us,” said Montgomery. “I find it actually a little bit strange - but that’s football. For everybody tonight, for the fans and the community, I told the boys before the game that they’ve not only galvanised a club but a community and a region.”

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