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Australia’s Central Coast Mariners secured their place within the ultimate of the 2023/24 AFC Cup by delivering a commanding 3-0 victory over FK Abdysh-Ata Kant from Kyrgyzstan within the second leg of the Inter-Zone ultimate on Wednesday.
The match at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford noticed a goalless first half, with each groups vying for management. Nevertheless, it was 18-year previous youth prospect Miguel Di Pizio who broke the impasse for the hosts within the 78th minute, setting the stage for a flurry of objectives. Mikael Doka prolonged the lead earlier than Di Pizio struck once more, sealing a convincing 4-1 mixture win for the Mariners and securing their spot within the title conflict in opposition to Lebanon’s Al Ahed on Might 5.
Regardless of a dominant efficiency by Abdysh-Ata within the first leg, the Mariners showcased their prowess in possession in entrance of their dwelling crowd. Alou Kuol’s tempo posed a relentless menace, and though the Kyrgyz facet grew into the sport, they struggled to breach the Mariners’ protection.
Abdysh-Ata had their probabilities, notably with Atai Dzhumashev’s effort from the sting of the field, however Mariners’ goalkeeper Danny Vukovic remained stable. In the meantime, Central Coast created alternatives of their very own, with Doka testing Abdysh-Ata’s custodian Marsel Islamkulov.
The breakthrough got here when Doka arrange Di Pizio, whose preliminary try was thwarted by Islamkulov, just for Di Pizio to capitalize on the rebound and slot the ball into the web. Doka then added to the tally with a well-taken shot within the 86th minute, earlier than Di Pizio sealed the victory in stoppage time, capitalizing on a defensive error.
By profitable their Inter-Zone ultimate match, Central Coast Mariners turned solely the third Australian facet to have made it to a ultimate of an Asian membership competitors, following Adelaide United within the 2008 AFC Champions League and Western Sydney Wanderers within the 2014 AFC Champions League. And with the 2023/24 season marking 10 years for the reason that Wanderers lifted Australia’s first and to this point solely Asian membership competitors title, the Mariners will probably be greater than desperate to comply with of their New South Wales rivals’ footsteps in tasting continental glory.
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