The Western Sydney Wanderers head to the Central Coast on Saturday afternoon to face a strong Mariners side at Polytec Stadium, looking to continue building on the positives from last week’s 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar at Wanderers Football Park.
The point secured against Brisbane came after a demanding week, with the Wanderers showing resilience and belief throughout the contest.
After a stop-start first half, the team lifted their intensity in the second period, and Ella Buchanan’s 83rd-minute strike ensured the hard-earned draw. Goalkeeper Sham Khamis was outstanding, producing a string of crucial saves to keep the Wanderers in the match and allow the side to push late.
Head Coach Geoff Abrahams reflected on the performance, praising the team’s determination and tactical improvement.
“I was really proud of the performance. The girls showed so much grit, determination and character. I thought our football was a big improvement in possession. Defensively, we were very, very good, and our game plan worked well,” he said.
The Mariners represent a significant challenge. Sitting firmly in the top three, Central Coast boast one of the league’s most consistent attacks, led by Golden Boot leader Annalise Rasmussen.
Midfielder Peta Trimis continues to create moments of ingenuity, while the team’s defensive organisation allows them to maintain pressure for extended periods.
“They’re a very consistent team,” Abrahams said.
“They’ve got Annalise Rasmussen playing out of skin at the moment and scoring lots of goals, and they’ve got a few dangerous players. If we can nullify those threats, that will go a long way. We’ve trained really, really well this week, and the girls have a lot of belief. We’re feeling pretty good going into this game.”
Western Sydney will look to carry the momentum from their late push against Brisbane, maintaining defensive composure while converting promising passages into goals.
Players such as Danika Matos, Amy Harrison, and Olivia Price provide energy and creativity in midfield and wide areas, offering multiple attacking options to challenge the Mariners’ defence.
Saturday’s encounter also carries added motivation, with the Wanderers eager to respond after a narrow 2-1 defeat to the Mariners in December.
That match saw Talia Younis score a stunning late goal to excite the home crowd, highlighting the team’s ability to lift intensity in crucial moments.
As the Wanderers prepare for the clash at Polytec Stadium, Abrahams remains confident in his squad’s progression.
With belief returning, cohesion improving, and a clear game plan in place, Western Sydney are determined to translate their work on the training ground into another strong performance on the road.
