Ronald Barcellos emerged from the bench to clinch victory with a last-gasp goal in the dying moments of extra time, propelling Central Coast Mariners to a thrilling 3-2 win over Macarthur FC in a pulsating ASEAN Zonal final of the 2023/24 AFC Cup at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Thursday.
The Mariners took the lead in the 81st minute through Angel Torres, only for Macarthur's captain Ulises Davila to level the score with a header just two minutes before the end of regular time, forcing the match into extra time.
Lachlan Rose's goal for Macarthur was answered by a long-range screamer from Mikael Doka, setting the stage for Mariners' dramatic winner in the 120th minute, securing their place in the Inter-Zone semifinal showdown against India's Odisha FC in March.
In a fast-paced all-Australian, all-New South Wales encounter, both teams came out aggressively, with former AS Monaco ace Valerie Germain testing Mariners' goalkeeper Danny Vukovic within the opening minute and Christian Theoharous challenging Macarthur's Filip Kurto with a shot early on.
Central Coast Mariners dominated the first half, creating numerous chances, but were repeatedly thwarted by resilient defending from Macarthur, particularly by Matthew Jurman.
Despite the Mariners' dominance, Germain remained a threat for Macarthur, forcing Vukovic into a save in the 38th minute. The first half ended without a breakthrough for either side.
Macarthur showed renewed vigor after the break, with Germain and former Chelsea youngster Davila leading the charge. Mariners' defense, led by captain Torres, had to stay alert to keep the Bulls at bay.
The match intensified in the second half, with both teams pressing for a breakthrough. Torres finally broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, capitalizing on a brilliant pass from Joshua Nisbet.
However, Macarthur fought back valiantly, equalizing in the 88th minute through Davila's well-placed header, sending the game into extra time.
The Bulls struck early in extra time with Rose's goal in the 92nd minute, but Doka's stunning left-footed strike leveled the score again just before the break.
With penalties looming, Barcellos, on loan at Central Coast from Portuguese top-flight side Portimonense, delivered the decisive blow, slotting in the winning goal from close range in the final minute of extra time, securing Mariners' progression to the Inter-Zone semifinals where they will be joining the aforementioned Odisha (South Asian zonal champions), Kyrgyzstan's Abdysh-Ata Kant (Central Asian zonal champions), and Taiwan's Taichung Futuro (East Asian zonal champions).
