Roar power decimates Mariners

Brisbane Roar produced football so fluid it should have come with a straw to destroy
Central Coast Mariners 5-1 and underline their A-League title favouritism on Sunday.
The ladder-leading Roar unleashed the best 45 minutes played in the A-League this
season in the first half to make the fourth-placed Mariners look like pub
footballers.
While they hit cruise control at times in the second after leading 3-0 at halftime,
the Roar added two late goals to show the points gulf between them and the rest of
the league is as accurate as their short, slick passing game.
It leaves the Roar unbeaten in their past 14 games - a competition record - and
almost certainly ensures them a top two berth and the double chance in the finals.
The Mariners' demise also helps second-placed Adelaide United's hopes of securing
the double chance, keeping the seven-point gap between the Reds and third-placed
Gold Coast United.
Roar coach Ange Postecoglou admitted he was amazed by his team's ability to
consistently back up top-quality performances, and reiterated there was still room
for improvement from a side now six points clear of nearest rivals Adelaide.
Shellshocked Mariners coach Graham Arnold believes the Roar cannot be reined in at
the top of the table if they maintain their red-hot run.
"If they stay injury-free and the stay in that type of form I dont think anyone can
catch them," Arnold said.
"I think they're easily the best team in the league - the way they move the ball
around and their mobility in midfield.
"They seem really confident at the moment - Ange has got them playing great football."
The top four teams in the league are at least five points clear of the fifth-placed
Melbourne Heart, who drew 0-0 with Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Saturday night to
tighten a logjam of teams at the fringe of the top six.
The Heart had the better chances in a lively wet weather match but couldn't capitalise.
After a horror start to the season, Sydney FC's point now lifts them into contention
to make the finals.
Both sides were helped by sixth-placed Melbourne Victory's late-match slackness,
with Wellington Phoenix striker Paul Ifill striking with six minutes to go to secure
a 2-2 draw at Westpac Stadium.
The Victory dominated most of the match and held a 2-1 lead through Archie
Thompson's 50th A-League goal - the first player to reach the milestone - and
another to Robbie Kruse.
But Ifill, who scored twice midweek in a win over the Heart, bobbed up again to
embarrass the Victory's defence and leave last season's grand finalists vulnerable
to the chasing pack.