While we were not able to secure a point or more last night in Japan against the defending J1 League Champions Vissel Kobe, Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Mark Jackson spoke following the match about how proud he was of the team and their performance.
Kicking off under four days after our F3 Derby win on Friday night over 7,000km away from home, we found ourselves two goals behind just after the break. Against the odds the team fought back, drawing the scores level late on before an unfortunate goal saw us fall 3-2.
“We are immensely proud of the performance last night,” Jackson said following the game.
“It was a very good and very disciplined display against very good opposition. We were so close to getting a result, and I thought that we deserved one as well.”
In front of a very vocal Vissel Kobe crowd, our never say die attitude was on full display, with this being the second consecutive Champions League game where we have fought back from two-nil down to level the scores.
“To come back from two-nil down to draw the game level shows the mentality of the team. It displays where we are, their belief in what they’re doing and their belief in what we are trying to achieve as a group,” Jackson said.
“Going two-nil down, we showed that we were able to come back in our last Champions League game against Shanghai Shenhua, the boys displayed resilience and courage to keep playing the way that we want to play and to push back into the match.
“They showed it in abundance last night, their heads could have dropped in front of a big and loud Vissel Kobe crowd. To keep our focus and then push back into the game against a top Japanese team, we are really proud of the boys and how they did that.
“The boys have that mindset of even after going behind, they have the courage, quality and discipline to get back into games if it does happen.”
Jackson ensured that he made particular mention of the incredible group of Mariners fans who made the trip to Kobe to support the team.
Up against an extremely vocal home crowd, our Mariners fans did us proud, being heard clearly and loudly on both the broadcast and at the match.
“Our fans last night were incredible. As players, they give everything on the pitch for our fans. The boys showed their appreciation at the game because despite the home crowd, you could still hear our fans cheering for us throughout the game,” Jackson said.
“It was great to have that support even though we were so far away from home, and we are so thankful for them travelling, but also all of our fans who watched the game late in the evening in Australia and supported us. In the end we were disappointed not to get the result, but we hope that everybody sees the level of the performance and the commitment from the players.”
With a bye this weekend in the Isuzu UTE A-League, our next assignment is to play host to Japanese Giants Yokohama F. Marinos on Tuesday night.
Our last Champions League game of 2024, it will also be a special homecoming for Mariners Legend John Hutchinson who is their interim coach.
Despite it being under 24 hours since the full time whistle was blown, preparation is already underway, as outlined by our Head Coach.
“Now that the game is finished, we focus on recovery and our preparation to take on Yokohama,” Jackson said.
“We know that we are going to have to attack that game as well, back at home, and we are looking forward to the next challenge.”
Watch your Central Coast Mariners take on Japanese Giants Yokohama F. Marinos in the AFC Champions League Elite competition on Tuesday night by purchasing your tickets HERE!
