Giant-killing Central Coast Mariners coach reveals team used ‘unworthy’ speech from sore loser Adelaide Reds as fuel to win their way to grand final
- Sailors have become their first decision maker in a decade
- Coach Nick Montgomery says the team can beat anyone
- Sailors will face Melbourne City in the Grand Final
Central Coast manager Nick Montgomery has warned naysayers to cancel his side at their own risk after the Mariners staged an A-League Men’s Grand Final clash with Melbourne City.
The Mariners entered their first decisive game in a decade with a 2-0 triumph over Adelaide United at Gosford on Saturday night, winning the two-legged semi-final 4-1 and securing a date with the three ALM premierships in title at Commbank Stadium on June 3.
“In two weeks there will be a bit of a David vs. Goliath battle, but we’re looking forward to it,” Montgomery told reporters.
“We can’t wait to get out there and whatever happens that night, we’ll give it a good shot.
“We know we can beat anyone, so we’ll go full confidence and try to win the game against a really good Melbourne City side.”
The Mariners progressed to their first decider in a decade with a 2-0 triumph over Adelaide United at Gosford on Saturday night
Central Coast manager Nick Montgomery (pictured) says his side used the Adelaide Reds speech as fuel to mark the huge upset
Saturday was the third time in as many games the Mariners had beaten the Reds, preceded by a 2-1 first leg win and a 4-1 in the final week of the regular season.
And Montgomery admitted that their opponents’ perceived attempts to play down that form guide provided further motivation for his team.
“They had to come here and win, they were desperate,” he said.
“We wanted revenge because there has been a lot of talk coming out of Adelaide over the past few weeks.
“There are many ways to lose. You can lose with dignity and accept being beaten by the best team, or you can make excuses.
“And there were a lot of excuses over the last two weeks.
“I am silent, we are silent.
“I said to the boys, let your football do the talking.
It was the third time in as many games the Mariners had beaten the Reds
The Mariners’ run to the Grand Finals was a David and Goliath effort that proves the team is light years away from the outfit that collected four wooden spoons in five seasons in 2019-20.
“I don’t think anyone can think any differently than what we deserved to get to the grand final.”
After finishing the regular season in second place, Saturday’s progression continues a remarkable turnaround in the Mariners’ fortunes.
In 2019-20, the same season in which City began their run of four straight Grand Final appearances, the Mariners recorded their fourth wooden spoon in five seasons.
But in an unprecedented turn of fortune in the three campaigns since, the Mariners have won more games than any ALM team other than City and have made finals every year.
“Even walking in tonight, people were still doubting us,” Montgomery said.
“I find it a bit strange, but that’s football.
“For everyone tonight, for the fans and the community, I told the boys before the game that they had not only galvanized a club, but also a community and a region.”
