A-League: Mariners tighten grip on second spot

GettyImagesCentral Coast Mariners boosted their Asian Champions League qualification hopes with victory over Western Sydney Wanderers.

The race for second place in the A-League swung the way of Central Coast Mariners on Saturday as they saw off Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1.

With Brisbane Roar safe in first spot ahead of the playoffs, it remains to be seen who will take second and qualify for the Asian Champions League.

The Mariners took a big step towards it being them, though, leapfrogging the Wanderers in front of just over 13,000 fans.

Full-back Joshua Rose put them one up in the 32nd minute after a strong run from his own half, before Nikolai Topor-Stanley turned in a 40th-minute equaliser after Tomi Juric's shot fell to him.

It appeared as though the game would end as a draw after that but, with seconds left, Bernie Ibini-Isei curled in a winner that prompted a firework display from the home club who knew the significance of the goal.

They head to bottom side Perth Glory next weekend.

Saturday's other game saw Melbourne Victory draw 1-1 with Sydney FC.

Joel Chianese put Sydney ahead three minutes after the break but James Troisi equalised midway through the second half.

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UEFA Europa League Preview: Basel v Valencia

Basel will be without the backing of their own fans for Thursday’s first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Valencia.

The Swiss champions were punished by UEFA last week after the behaviour of their fans caused the second leg of a 2-1 aggregate victory over Salzburg in the last round to be suspended for 13 minutes.

As a result, the Valencia game will be played behind closed doors.

The ruling will no doubt have come as a significant blow to Basel, who are looking to better their 2012-13 performance in this competition when they lost out to eventual champions Chelsea in the semi-finals.

Basel’s run of three European matches without conceding on home soil could prove daunting for Juan Antonio Pizzi’s visitors, but the Spanish outfit have won all five of their Europa League away matches this season, so there is a real sense that something has got to give.

Valencia have also kept clean sheets in their last four matches at home and away in the competition – one more would give them a tournament record.

The clubs have not met in continental competition since the 2002-03 UEFA Champions League group stages, when Valencia claimed a 6-2 victory at home, before battling to a 2-2 draw on the road.

Current Basel coach Murat Yakin played in both of those fixtures, but will have to contend with the threat of Pablo Alcacer this time round – the joint-top goalscorer still involved in the competition.

In addition to a lack of personnel in the stands, Basel also face something of a crisis on the pitch, with defenders Arlind Ajeti, Kay Voser and Behrang Safari (all thigh) doubtful, while Ivan Ivanov (knee), Marco Streller (Groin) and Endogan Adili (knee) are all set to miss out.

Marek Suchy and Giovanni Sio are both suspended.

Valencia have similar concerns at the back, with Diego Alves (hamstring), Victor Ruiz (thigh), Ricardo Costa (ankle) and Philippe Senderos (hamstring) all carrying injuries, and midfielder Javier Fuego serving a suspension.