MARINERS midfield maestro Michael McGlinchey believes the Club’s enviable home record over the past few seasons ought to fill the team and their fans with confidence heading into Sunday’s Hyundai A-League sudden death Semi-Final against Melbourne Victory.
MARINERS midfield maestro Michael McGlinchey believes the Club-s enviable home record over the past few seasons ought to fill the team and their fans with confidence heading into Sunday-s Hyundai A-League sudden death Semi-Final against Melbourne Victory.
Graham Arnold-s outfit have lost just once at Gosford-s Bluetongue Stadium in all competitions this season, that being a narrow 1-0 defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers in Hyundai A-League round 23.
Even on that occasion, Central Coast dominated much of the possession, play and opportunities, however were left to rue their inability to fire past Wanderers custodian Ante Covic on the night, with Labinot Haliti netting a late winner for Tony Popovic-s team.
Ahead of the Mariners- final training session before Sunday-s Grand Final Qualifier, McGlinchey said the Club-s formidable record at its bayside base has Arnold-s men assured they can reach a fourth Hyundai A-League Championship match in eight seasons.
“I think our home form is a good confidence boost,” McGlinchey said. “I think we-ve won 12 out of 15 games. Any team that comes up here is going to have to work hard to get anything from us.”
McGlinchey added that the team-s preparation for Sunday-s penultimate match of the Hyundai A-League season had been strong despite the fact 15 of the squad travelled to China for AFC Champions League Matchday 4 this week.
The Mariners- participation in Asia-s top club competition left Arnold with only two full sessions to work with his entire squad this week.
“It-s been pretty relaxed,” he said. “Arnie (Arnold) gave seven of the boys a rest which was obviously good of him, and I think it has definitely freshened the boys up and we-re all feeling fit now for Sunday.”
“We-ve done enough over the season to know what Arnie-s looking for.”
Naturally, McGlinchey said claiming the Hyundai A-League Championship is a key goal for the team, and facing Western Sydney Wanderers – who booked their place in the decider via a 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar on Friday night – would provide the chance for Australia-s top team to shine at Allianz Stadium.
“This season the Premiership slipped by us, but we-ll definitely be going for the Grand Final this season for ourselves and for the fans,” the nimble New Zealand international said.
“The last few years we-ve been close but you have to keep going and we-ll be trying desperately to get it (the Championship).”
“The two teams (Mariners & Wanderers) were top in the Premiership and it would obviously be nice to meet them in the Grand Final.”
“Fair play to Western Sydney, they-ve been fantastic this season and hopefully we can get them in the Grand Final.”
Central Coast Mariners vs. Melbourne Victory – 2012/13 Hyundai A-League Semi-Final
Sunday 14 April, 2013
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match!
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter! The official match hash tag is #CCMvMV. Use #ALeagueFinals and #GoMariners throughout the Finals Series!
