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Sarah Langman in action for the Central Coast Mariners against Perth Glory in Round 19 of the 2024/25 A-League Women season. Photo Credit: Texi Smith

This time two years ago, the Central Coast Mariners didn’t have a women’s side. Now, they prepare to feature in back-to-back finals campaigns when they take on a resurgent Canberra United in the first of two A-League Women elimination finals.

The defensive stability of the Mariners has been their main strength under coach Emily Husband since the club re-entered the competition 18 months ago, having conceded the second-fewest goals (24) in 2023/24 and the third-fewest (25) this season.

But the real test will come against an unpredictable Canberra outfit who love to play at a high-tempo, implement the high-press and make it as frantic as possible for any opposition.

The fourth-placed Mariners and fifth-placed Canberra have met on two occasions this season, with the Gosford-based side grabbing a 2-1 win at home before sharing the spoils in the reverse fixture at the start of February.

Key players

Michelle Heyman

This is an obvious selection for many reasons, but Michelle Heyman really is the focal point in unlocking a stubborn and disciplined Mariners back-line.

Although eight goals for the season may be low for her lofty standards, the 36-year-old veteran has to be ready to pick up the scraps and finish at least one of the very few chances she might receive, as Canberra will more than likely opt to hit on the counter-attack away from home and utilise their attacking weapons in wide areas.

Sarah Langman

When the Mariners sent Melbourne Victory packing in last season’s elimination final, goalkeeper Casey Dumont stole the show in the penalty shoot-out.

Having not skipped a minute of the current campaign, Sarah Langman could prove crucial between the sticks.

The 29-year-old has kept six clean sheets leading into finals, which included a 0-0 draw against undefeated premiers Melbourne City in what was arguably one of Langman’s best games of the season after a terrific penalty stop.

Mary Stanic-Floody

Still only a teenager, Canberra midfielder Mary Stanic-Floody has flown under the radar this season.

Putting aside her seven-goal contributions this season for one moment, she is an important dynamic player. She can cause problems on either end, whether it be passing ability, vision, or keeping her shape in front of the back four, part of the reason they have witnessed a tremendous improvement on the defensive side of the ball.

Isabel Gomez

A goal-scoring and box-to-box midfielder, Isabel Gomez is exactly the type of player that fits Emily Husband’s tactical game style, because she is more than capable of opening a game up in transition after the Mariners do the dirty work defensively, which is also part of Gomez’s role in the middle of the park.

When Canberra attempts to seize its opportunities by pushing numbers forward, expect Gomez to make life difficult for Canberra’s transition game.

How the Mariners win

Being at home, the pressure will be on the Mariners to dictate possession and control large portions of the encounter.

In saying that, Emily Husband isn’t afraid to play low-possession, counter-attacking football due to the strengths in defence and being able to absorb tremendous pressure.

Much like the same as the past two seasons, if the Mariners avoid making errors playing the ball out from the back and stay resolute defensively, Canberra are a side who can get flustered quite quickly.

How Canberra win

It’s simple. Canberra must play boldly and go for the kill. They should approach the do-or-die clash with a nothing-to-lose mentality.

This means splitting the lines and taking risks when perhaps the safer option is available. That doesn’t mean go all-guns blazing and lose their cool, but if this team opts to sit back in a timid fashion, then it will only end in disappointment.

Prediction

In a one-off tie, the temptation to tip Canberra for an upset victory is sky-high.

This is a match that will ultimately be decided in the second-half as legs begin to tire and spaces slowly widen in both attacking thirds.

Given all that’s happened off-field with the ownership and licensing, Canberra’s brilliant run will continue for at least another week.

Central Coast Mariners 1-2 Canberra United

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