A-League leader Central Coast Mariners started their Asian Champions League football campaign with a battling performance in a 0-0 draw with Tianjin Teda in China.
The Mariners, who have yet to win an ACL game after seven attempts, defended stoutly and had some late chances to win the game.
Clear-cut opportunities were at a premium, with both teams only testing the opposing goalkeeper a couple of times.
While Tianjin pushed forward at every opportunity they were generally well contained by a determined Central Coast side, who occasionally threatened on the counter attack, but didn’t capitalise on their set piece opportunities.
It was an encouraging start for the Mariners, who have won just one of their last six A-league games.
Central Coast coach Graham Arnold made three changes to the team which drew 1-1 with Sydney last Saturday, bringing in Daniel McBreen Pedj Bojic and Mustafa Amini for John Sutton, Trent Sainsbury and Tom Rogic.
Young substitutes Rogic and Bernie Ibini added some pep to the Mariners in the second half and each had a chance to win the game.
Rogic had a firm shot saved by Tianjin’s goalkeeper, while Ibini had a stoppage time effort blocked by the home team’s Australian defender Milan Susak.
The Mariners survived a nervous moment near the end.
The referee waved away a penalty appeal despite replays suggesting Mariners’ defender Patrick Zwaanswijk caught the man not the ball.
Central Coast goalkeeper Mat Ryan made an important save in each half.
He blocked a 31st minute shot from Chen Tao, who was right through, and caught a chip from Veliche Shumulikoski on the hour.
Central Coast left back Josh Rose had a close range shot from a tight angle blocked by the legs of the home goalkeeper in the 48th minute.
The referee had to briefly hold the game up near halftime after a laser was pointed into the eyes of Ryan.
The result completed a mixed opening ACL round for the three Australian sides, with Adelaide winning 2-1 away to Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor and Brisbane losing 2-0 at home to Japan’s FC Tokyo.
