“We need to play with a lot of passion and pride for our supporters and out of respect to them.”
Graham Arnold
CENTRAL Coast Mariners Head Coach Graham Arnold is expecting a tough contest with the Newcastle Jets in the F3 Derby at Hunter Stadium on Saturday evening.
The ladder leaders head north on the back of an impressive six-match unbeaten streak and Arnold believes the yellow and navy will need to be at their best if they are to snatch a victory over their foes.
“Newcastle is a very good football side and it will be a tough game,” Arnold said. “We-re in good form at the moment and we-re healthy, even with Tom Rogic and Mat Ryan away, but it-s important we put in our best performance on Saturday night.”
The Mariners tactician spoke of the strong rivalry shared between the two sides but insists the F3 Derby is just another game for his men.
“For us it-s another game and it-s a game we need to play with a lot of passion and pride for our supporters and out of respect to them,” he said.
“It-s a game that has a lot of rivalry and a lot of history, both teams are in form so it will be a good evening.”
Arnold also praised tough defensive midfielder Nick Montgomery-s impressive start to the campaign.
“He-s been fantastic,” Arnold said of the former Sheffield United player.
“One thing that has surprised me is that he-s adapted to the heat so easily and so quickly – the last two games we-ve played in extreme conditions and it hasn-t bothered Monty at all.
“His work rate has been extremely high along with John Hutchinson. He-s adapted very quickly to the style of football he was playing in Britain. I-m delighted.”
Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan became the latest Central Coast Mariner to represent the Qantas Socceroos overnight, making his debut appearance for the senior men-s national team in a 1-1 draw with DPR Korea.
And, Arnold expressed his delight at the young shot stopper-s inclusion in Holger Osieck-s starting eleven.
“I think it-s a just reward for the two seasons he-s put in at the club and in the A-League. He won Goalkeeper of the Year last year and the NAB Young Footballer of the Year two seasons in a row.
“He-s probably been the best goalkeeper in Australia for the last couple of years,” he said.
Arnold will put his charges through their paces for the final time ahead of Saturday-s F3 Derby on Friday morning at the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence in Tuggerah.
The former Qantas Socceroos boss has named a 19-man squad for his side-s second trip to the Hunter this season.
Mile Sterjovski and Adam Kwasnik are once again in contention for selection in Arnold-s final match day squad. Meanwhile, youngsters Anthony Caceres and Brad McDonald continue to press their claims for inclusion in the Mariners- senior side with strong showings in the National Youth League competition.
Central Coast Mariners Squad: 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Joshua Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Zachary Anderson, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7. John Hutchinson (c), 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 9. Bernie Ibini, 11. Oliver Bozanic, 14. Michael McGlinchey, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Anthony Caceres, 18. Nick Montgomery, 19. Mitchell Duke, 20. Justin Pasfield (Gk), 21. Mile Sterjovski, 23. Adam Kwasnik 30. David Bradasevic (Gk) *Four to be omitted
In: 15. Brad McDonald, 17. Anthony Caceres, 21. Mile Sterjovski, 23. Adam Kwasnik (all promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 1. Mathew Ryan (Gk), 10. Tomas Rogic (both Qantas Socceroos duty), 13. Brent Griffiths (suspended), 22. James Oates (ankle – 2 months)
Newcastle Jets Squad: 2. Scott Neville, 5. Dominik Ritter, 7. James Brown, 8. Ruben Zadkovich, 9. Emile Heskey, 10. Bernardo Ribeiro, 11. Connor Chapman, 12. Josh Brillante, 14. Taylor Regan, 15. Craig Goodwin, 17. James Virgili, 18. Jacob Pepper, 19. Michael Bridges, 21. Marko Jesic, 24. Mitch Oxborrow, 25. Mitch Cooper, 30. Jack Duncan (Gk), 33. Matt Nash (Gk) *Three to be omitted
In: Taylor Regan, Jacob Pepper, Michael Bridges, Marko Jesic, Mitch Oxborrow, Mitch Cooper (all promoted)
Out: Ryan Griffiths, Josh Mitchell, Jobe Wheelhouse
Unavailable: Ben Kennedy (knee), Tiago Calvano (heel), Josh Mitchell (suspended), Ben Kantarovski (knee), Jobe Wheelhouse (knee) Mark Birighitti (cheekbone), Adam Taggart (Qantas Socceroos duty), Ryan Griffiths (suspended)
F3 Derby Stats: Please CLICK HERE to download the F3 Derby Stats Pack.
Newcastle Jets vs. Central Coast Mariners – 2012/13 Hyundai A-League Round 10
Saturday 8 December, 2012
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off: 7:45pm (local)
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match
Transport: Travel from the Central Coast to Hunter Stadium in style on the Mariners’ Official Supporter Buses (Coastal Liner Coaches). Please CLICK HERE for more information.
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter! The official match hash-tag for Sunday-s game is #F3Derby
National Youth League: Please note the NYL round 8 game between Jets and Mariners will be played as curtain-raiser for the Hyundai A-League contest. NYL kick-off is 5:00pm.
