The Central Coast Mariners will farewell one of their foundation players and club greats at Central Coast Stadium on Tuesday when Matthew Osman plays his final match in yellow and navy before linking with new Hyundai A-League challengers Gold Coast United.
The Central Coast Mariners will farewell one of their foundation players and club greats at Central Coast Stadium on Tuesday when Matthew Osman plays his final match in yellow and navy before linking with new Hyundai A-League challengers Gold Coast United.
Osman inked a deal with the Hyundai A-League newcomers midway through the Mariners- season four campaign, where the 25-year-old utility contributed 19 appearances and one goal to perhaps his strongest season on the Central Coast.
Capable in defence or attack, Osman has been a cornerstone of the Mariners- past successes and will leave the club as its equal seventh most capped player in all competitive fixtures, having made 60 starting appearances and 18 off the bench over four seasons that also delivered four goals.
“I-m definitely looking forward to the game, it-s been four and a half years at the club, they-ve been good times and hopefully we can finish the AFC Champions League with a good result and I can go out having played a good game,” said Osman.
“It-s important for the team to get some form and put on a good show and to get some confidence for the team and for the club.
“The boys have put in a lot of effort but we haven-t really got the results that we-ve wanted, so hopefully we can put on a good show and take some confidence into next season.”
In season four, Osman was one of ten foundation players still on the Central Coast, a list that numbers far beyond any of the Mariners- Hyundai A-League rivals.
Osman-s highlights in yellow and navy include his match winning goal in the Minor Semi Final – 1st Leg of the 2006 Hyundai A-League Finals Series at Newcastle-s EnergyAustralia Stadium and his successful comeback from a serious knee injury that he suffered early in the Mariners- Premiership winning third season.
Osman also netted a memorable long-range thunderbolt against Sydney FC in the 2007 Pre-Season Cup and is best remembered at Central Coast Stadium for his strikes against the Queensland Roar in season one and the Perth Glory in season four.
“There are too many positive memories to list, the staff, the players and everyone at the club have been fantastic and there have been memories that I-ll cherish forever,” said Osman.
“I-d like to thank the Mariners- members and supporters for their attendance at our games and supporting the playing group at different promotions around the Central Coast and for their well wishes ahead of all of our games.
“They-ve been fantastic and they are the life of the club, so thank you to all of them for their support.”
The Mariners will return to their Central Coast Stadium home for Match Day 6 of the AFC Champions League to face the challenge of Chinese Super League heavyweights Tianjin Teda on Tuesday, 19 May. Kick off is at 8pm.
Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
