Central Coast Mariners Progress to Inter-Zonal Final in AFC Cup: Highlights and Next Steps

Central Coast Mariners secure their spot in the Inter-Zonal Final of the AFC Cup following a 0-0 draw against Odisha FC, sealing a 4-0 aggregate victory over the Indian Super League outfit.

The Mariners, after a convincing 4-0 win in the first leg, maintained their dominance with a goalless draw at Kalinga Stadium, paving their way to the next phase of the tournament.

Mark Jackson’s squad will now lock horns with Kyrgyzstan’s FC Abdysh-Ata Kant in the Inter-Zonal Final, a two-legged affair with a ticket to the AFC Cup Final on the line come May 5.

A penalty miss from Mikael Doka kept the scoreline untouched in the first half, while contentious moments on both ends added to the drama, including an altercation between the two coaches raising the stakes.

Despite both teams’ efforts, the second leg failed to produce any goals, confirming the Mariners’ progression with an aggregate score of 4-0 over Odisha.

Looking ahead, the Mariners aim to continue their journey towards AFC Cup glory by facing FC Abdysh-Ata Kant in the upcoming Inter-Zonal Final across two legs.

In another two-legged semi-final, FC Abdysh-Ata Kant secured their spot by outclassing Taichung Futuro 8-1 on aggregate, setting up an exciting clash against the Mariners.

The Mariners will embark on their journey away to Abdysh-Ata Kant on April 17 before returning home for the second leg on April 24, eyeing a coveted spot in the AFC Cup Final.

The much-anticipated final will feature the Inter-Zonal Final winner facing off against the victor of the Western Zonal Semi-Final, scheduled between Al-Nahda and Al Ahed.

The AFC Cup climax on May 5 promises a hefty cash prize, with the champions set to pocket USD $1.5 million while the runners-up will earn USD $750,000.

For football enthusiasts, mark your calendars for the upcoming fixtures as the road to the AFC Cup Final unfolds:

– Wednesday, April 17: Abdysh-Ata Kant v Central Coast Mariners
– Wednesday, April 24: Central Coast Mariners v Abdysh-Ata Kant
– Sunday, May 5: AFC Cup Final

Stay tuned to witness the Mariners’ quest for AFC Cup glory as they battle it out on the continental stage.