Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Mark Jackson and Sporting Director Matt Simon were keen to heap praise on Lucas Vilela and the Academy squad after their season came to a positive conclusion on Friday evening.
Vilela’s side confirmed their place in the top division of NPL NSW, winning 5-2 on aggregate against Bulls FC Academy thanks to a thrilling 4-0 second leg victory in front of a strong crowd at Pluim Park, including a full turnout of first team players and staff.
Early goals from Nicolas Duarte and star man on the night, Donatien Niyonkuru, saw the Mariners overturn the 2-1 deficit from the first leg inside the first 20 minutes.
A piece of individual brilliance from Bailey Brandtman made it 3-0 before half time, before Duarte rounded off the scoring in the second half to seal an emphatic win and the club’s place in the NPL top tier for the 2025 season.
Vilela said the outcome made him ‘the happiest person in the world‘ and Jackson was quick to heap praise on the Brazilian, his staff and the squad.
READ MORE: Vilela ‘happiest person in the world’ as Mariners retain NPL status in style
🗣 Jacko: “There has been a massive amount of growth in this team”
“First and foremost, congratulations to Lucas and the team for a fantastic achievement, securing our status in the NPL.” Jacko said.
“Of course, we want a team who are not challenging at the bottom of the league but we understand this team is a development team and there has been a massive amount of growth within that team this season.
“Week in, week out, these young players are challenging themselves against senior players in the NPL and that is a real tough task. Credit has to go to those players and staff for how they’ve taken on board the information we’ve given them and how we want to play.
“We want to play The Mariners Way and Lucas and his staff have really taken that on board. We haven’t always got it right with performances but the courage, dedication and determination from the players to see it through right until the end showed on Friday.
“It was a two-legged game and there was a lot of pressure on the team after the first leg. We were all clear that we didn’t perform how we wanted in the first leg. It’s important to us, that no matter what happens we want to play our way.”
“I think everybody who watched the game, live or on the TV, would have seen the players played the way we call The Mariners Way, they took the game to Macarthur and dominated the game which was fantastic to see.
“Credit has to go to the players and to Lucas for opening his mind and buying into what we want at the club. I can’t praise all the people involved enough.
“It was great to see so many members of staff and the first team players out to support the young boys. How we support each other is a really important part of our club and the young players are really important to this club moving forward.
“We want to expose them to opportunities and give them as much support as possible so they can be future A-League players. We want to continue that pathway and give opportunities to young players at this club.
“Once again, huge congratulations to Lucas, the players and staff for a season of growing and developing, and also in the last game, dealing with pressure, bring composed and being determined to play the way we want to play with a fantastic performance in front of our home fans.” Jacko added.
🗣 Simmo: “It’s a huge achievement”
“A massive congratulations to the players and staff for the achievement of staying in NPL1.” Our Sporting Director Matt Simon said.
“The growth we’ve seen in the players this season has been amazing, particularly towards the back end of the year. To be able to produce their best performance of the season in a high pressure game, in a play-off, is a huge achievement.
“We are a club that gives young players and opportunity and for those players to be able to compete with the states best footballers in the NPL is crucial to their development.
“Everybody at the club is so proud of Lucas, his staff and the squad’s effort to achieve their goal.” Simon added.
