Australian aces Central Coast Mariners are well on their way to securing a spot in the next phase of the 2023/24 AFC Cup following their dominant 4-0 victory over India's Odisha FC in the initial leg of the Inter-Zone semifinal on Thursday at the Central Coast Stadium in Gosford.
Taking control early on, Mikael Doka broke the deadlock for the home team in the 36th minute, while Storm Roux extended their lead shortly after the halftime break. Doka added a second goal from the penalty spot with less than 15 minutes remaining, before assisting Ronald Barcellos for the team's fourth goal in the 89th minute, providing the Mariners with a significant advantage heading into the upcoming second leg.
The Mariners asserted their dominance from the onset, with Jing Reec nearly opening the scoring only to be denied by Odisha's goalkeeper Amrinder Singh. Angel Torres also came close with a shot narrowly missing the target. Meanwhile, Odisha struggled to advance beyond their own half as the Mariners continued to apply pressure. Roux's powerful strike hit the crossbar in the 12th minute, while his cross almost found the net after a deflection in the 20th minute.
However, it was a left-wing play that finally resulted in the Mariners' breakthrough, as Jacob Farrell set up Joshua Nisbet for an assist to Doka, who calmly put the ball into the back of the net in the 36th minute. Odisha managed their first shot on target shortly after, but Mariners' goalkeeper Danny Vukovic thwarted Diego Mauricio's attempt.
The Mariners further solidified their lead with a well-worked team goal early in the second half, with Roux combining with Doka and Ryan Edmondson before finding the net. Maintaining their momentum, the Mariners earned a penalty after Farrell was fouled by former A-League Men hero Roy Krishna, allowing Doka to complete his brace from the spot in the 77th minute. Doka then turned provider, setting up Barcellos for the fourth goal in the dying minutes, leaving Odisha with a daunting task in the return leg at Kalinga Stadium next Thursday.
