GOSFORD, Australia (Interstat) — The Central Coast Mariners opened their A-League season with a 3-2 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday at Industree Group Stadium.

Substitute Angus Thurgate put the visitors ahead in the eighth minute, but the Mariners responded with two second-half goals. Ali Auglah leveled the score in the 55th, and James Donachie headed in the 89th-minute winner after Hiroshi Ibusuki and Nathanael Blair traded goals. The result defied a national statistical projection of a draw.

The Mariners began their title defense with a win, while Western Sydney starts the campaign with a loss. Five yellow cards were issued in the match.