Soccer: Mariners keen to dampen Brisbane's Roar

Roar fans show their colours during an A-League major at Suncorp Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

Not too long ago Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium was underwater after terrible flooding in the region, now their football side is being swamped by unprecedented pressure.

The Roar go into today's A-League final against the Central Coast Mariners as overwhelming favourites. It's hard to argue, considering they are on a 27-game unbeaten run and have lost only one of 33 games all season.

They scored the most goals (58) conceded the least (26) and accumulated a staggering 65 points from 30 regular season games.

They also contributed six players to the All Stars side, voted for by fans, including striker Kosta Barbarouses who has had a breakthrough season with 12 goals.

It's a familiar situation for the Mariners. Today's final is their third in six years - a record shared only by the Melbourne Victory - yet they are still largely dismissed across the Tasman. Even at the start of each season, they rarely feature in pre-season predictions.

"Maybe we are seen as a small club and there aren't many expectations when we start each year," says Mariners midfielder Michael McGlinchey. "[Even if we win], the Sydneys and Melbournes will be tipped again next season.

"We don't honestly mind ... and I wouldn't want it any other way. All of the pressure will be on Brisbane. They are hosting the grand final, the majority of fans will be on their side and there would be massive disappointment if they didn't win."

It would be wrong to suggest the Mariners have no chance. They have lost only once this year - a 2-0 home defeat to Brisbane in the first leg of the major semifinal four weeks ago - and are brimming with confidence. They have a nothing-to-lose attitude, which makes them dangerous.

McGlinchey has played a big role in getting Central Coast to this stage. The diminutive All White with the Scottish accent was nominated for the competition's best XI and has played every minute of all 33 games this season. It's completely different to what he faced at Celtic in Scotland but was one of the reasons he ventured to Australia in the first place.

"When I came over here a year-and-a-half ago, I wasn't getting much game time at Celtic," he says. "I set a goal to play in every game which is what I have managed to do. That's just what I needed at this stage of my career, that consistency and playing every game.

"[Moving to the A-League] was the best thing I could have done. When I was at Celtic, I was floating around the [Scottish] First Division. I came over hoping to kickstart my career and obviously things with the national team was a blessing for me. It's really kicked off for me in the last year-and-a-half."

The challenge now is to kick on. The 24-year-old midfielder was singled out by All Whites coach Ricki Herbert last week as one who will have a big role in the next World Cup qualifying campaign. He came in late for the last one, playing both matches against Bahrain, but surprisingly missed out on game time in South Africa.

He offers flair and creativity and has proven he can cope physically with the rigours of a demanding league.

McGlinchey spoke with Herbert when the All Whites met for last year's friendlies.

"I understand the role I could potentially be playing in the next campaign, which I am obviously delighted about," he says. "I will be doing everything I can because, after having a little taste at the World Cup last year, I want to get back to another one."

It would also help his career. McGlinchey famously made his Celtic debut as a 17-year-old but it was his only Scottish Premier League appearance. He went out on loan to First Division clubs before being released by Celtic in 2009. He went on trial with the Mariners before picking up an initial two-year deal.

McGlinchey signed an extension which will keep him at Central Coast for another two seasons but his future is uncertain beyond that.

"I want to play as many games as I can and get my CV up. After that I will have a look elsewhere. I am open to anything. I just want to play.

"It's a burning desire to go back [to Europe] and test myself at the highest level but, at the moment, I am really happy playing in the A-League. If the timing was right in the future, I would look to go back."

Melbourne Victory, who have signed Marco Rojas, yesterday sacked coach Ernie Merrick who had been the only foundation coach left in the A-League.