01-11-2007, 09:39 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007 My Local Time: 08:57 AM Location: Australia
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Mariners need a miracle
Friday, 12 January, 2007 - 11:26AM
Mark Hughes, Sportal
Andre Gumprecht fires a shot at goal
Andre Gumprecht fires a shot at goal
Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna has admitted his side needs a miracle to qualify for the finals after being held to a 0-0 draw against the New Zealand Knights on Thursday night at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium.
The Mariners dominated the match from the outset and created a plethora of chances, but as has been their story for most of this season, they were unable to convert and the Knights were able to hold on for the draw, their third unbeaten game on the trot.
"We played New Zealand off the park, apart from a short period after half-time when we weren't going forward, but in general we attacked," said a frustrated Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna after the match.
"We knew it was going to be hard to break them down and we created chances and the keeper would save them, we would miss them or the cross wasn't right or no bodies in the box, it was frustrating."
"We still had plenty of chances in the second half - headers were getting cleared off the line, the ball came off the woodwork, but that is what happens when you are not scoring goals; things just don't go in - when you are flying everything goes in."
"Last season we were scoring goals from outside the box, this year it is the bad option. And that is a mind thing where the boys go 'Oh we need a goal, I have to have a shot, I have to score, we need a goal' and the thing about having to get that goal is people do take the wrong options and that happened early to us."
The draw leaves the Mariners on 24 points, two behind the fourth-placed Newcastle Jets and McKinna said it was generous to consider his side now on 'life support' for the finals race.
"We needed to win tonight," said McKinna bluntly.
"A win tonight would have put other teams under pressure, obviously miracles do happen but honestly I can't see Newcastle and Queensland getting beat in both games - I can't see them losing two games each."
| Credit - A-League.com.au |
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