Central Coast Mariners attacking lynchpin Adrian Caceres has targeted Sunday’s Hyundai A-League match up across the Tasman to make his comeback from a minor back strain that sidelined the new recruit for the Mariners’ breakthrough win of season four.
Central Coast Mariners attacking lynchpin Adrian Caceres has targeted Sunday-s Hyundai A-League match up across the Tasman to make his comeback from a minor back strain that sidelined the new recruit for the Mariners- breakthrough win of season four.
Caceres was a late withdrawal from the Mariners- 4-2 triumph over the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium after suffering an unlikely back injury in the closing stages of the Mariners- final training session before departing for Brisbane.
Although the Mariners were victorious, Caceres- absence on the left hand side of the Mariners- attacking advances was noteworthy, with the Buenos Aires-born midfielder resuming light training this week in a bid to return in Wellington.
With fellow wide player Ahmad Elrich confirmed to watch from the grandstands for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season, Caceres- inclusion against a Phoenix side anxious to register their first win of season four would be a major boost to the Mariners- chances of back-to-back away triumphs.
“It-s been a bit difficult in terms of breaking through the pain barrier from last week, but the pain is going away so hopefully this week I can get back on the training ground and get going,” said Caceres.
“I was devastated that I couldn-t be in Queensland, but really happy for the boys that they got the three points, that-s what really mattered and hopefully I can be part of the team in Wellington and contribute to another three points.”
Caceres will potentially return to the venue where he made history with former club the Melbourne Victory on Sunday.
Caceres came off the bench for the Victory in the first ever Hyundai A-League match to feature the Wellington Phoenix, which took place on Sunday, 25 August at Westpac Stadium, with the match ending 2-2.
Caceres would face the Phoenix on two more occasions throughout the season, with the Victory recording another draw and a 3-0 win at the Telstra Dome.
Furthermore, Caceres made his competitive debut for the Mariners at Westpac Stadium in the opening round of the 2008 Pre-Season Cup and is in line for his sixth official appearance in yellow and navy should he be selected for Sunday-s match up in the New Zealand capital.
“We-ve always been confident and we-ve always been buzzing, it-s just disappointing that we couldn-t get the wins earlier on,” said Caceres.
“Nothing has really changed following the Queensland win because the boys are still buzzing and doing really well.
“It-s always tough going to Wellington, it-s always a hard trip and they-re going to want to bounce back from a loss so it-s going to be tricky, but as long as we stay professional and do our jobs, hopefully we take three points and come away winners.”
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League 2008/09 campaign continues against the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on Sunday, 14 September. Kick off is at 3pm AEST.
The Mariners are next at their Bluetongue Stadium home on Saturday, 20 September, when they host season two Champions and Premiers the Melbourne Victory in Round 5. Kick off is at 7pm.
Tickets for this match are now on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season are now on sale at www.ccmariners.com.au.
