An AFC Cup classic was served out at the Industree Group Stadium in Gosford on Thursday, as hosts Central Coast Mariners of Australia beat Indonesia’s Bali United 6-3 in an absolute epic that saw not only potent attacking but also shambolic defending.
Heavy underdogs for the match, Bali United took a shock lead in the 17th minute after a Jean Befolo Mbarga cross trickled through the legs of Mariners’ goalkeeper Jack Warshawsky, giving Stefano Cugurra Teco’s men the unlikely advantage.
However, A-League Men reigning champions Central Coast were not to be undone and seven minutes later the Australians drew level. Excellent teamwork between Angel Torres and Josh Nisbet allowed Jacob Farrell to fire home past Adilson Maringa in the Bali United goal.
In the 34th minute, the Mariners took the lead. Marco Tulio successfully converted a penalty into the bottom corner after Nisbet was fouled by Novri Setiawan.
Just three minutes later, Central Coast extended their lead with another penalty. This time, Tulio placed his spot kick into the top right corner of Maringa’s goal after Elias Dolah fouled Farrell.
Nisbet came close to scoring a fourth, hitting a shot from 20 yards that bounced off both posts before Maringa collected it.
Mbarga narrowed Bali’s deficit early in the second half, curling a shot into the bottom corner of Warshawsky’s goal after an assist from Yabes Roni.
However, Central Coast quickly regained their two-goal lead three minutes later, as Christian Theoharous tapped in a close-range shot. In the 54th minute, Torres’ shot deflected off Kadek Arel and past Maringa, putting Central Coast even further ahead.
Daniel Hall struck the post, but Farrell secured his second goal in the 67th minute with a side-foot volley from close range, courtesy of Torres’ precise cross from the right.
Jefferson Assis scored Bali United’s third goal seven minutes before the end, speeding past the Mariners’ defense to slot the ball past Warshawsky. Thailand international Dolah then denied the hosts a seventh goal with a determined effort to clear Dylan Wenel-Halls’ goal-bound shot off the line.