He could scarcely have imagined a greater Hyundai A-League debut, but Central Coast Mariners striker Dylan Macallister has set his sights on more game time, more goals and more glory with the yellow and navy, starting in the New Zealand capital on Sunday.
He could scarcely have imagined a greater Hyundai A-League debut, but Central Coast Mariners striker Dylan Macallister has set his sights on more game time, more goals and more glory with the yellow and navy, starting in the New Zealand capital on Sunday.
One of the Mariners- major off-season purchases from Norwegian Tippeligaen outfit FC Lyn Oslo, Macallister wasted no time in underlining his value to the Mariners- season four tilt upon replacing Matt Simon with 35 minutes remaining at Suncorp Stadium last Sunday.
Nine minutes after taking to the pitch, Macallister slotted the first of his two goals after outwitting Roar ‘keeper Liam Reddy and defender Luke Devere to blast a solid left foot effort into an empty net from the edge of the penalty area.
Seven minutes later, Macallister doubled his Hyundai A-League tally with an exceptional right-footed blast from a difficult angle that would ultimately seal the Mariners- first three points of the new season.
Having sat out rounds one and two due to an unfortunate rib injury, Macallister is now fully fit and determined to expand upon his outstanding first impression when the Mariners- Hyundai A-League campaign travels to Wellington on Sunday.
“I got half an hour against Queensland and I was disappointed that we had last weekend off, I would have really liked to have played another game,” said Macallister.
“But we-ve taken the time off and we-ll work hard this week and I-m looking forward to getting some minutes on Sunday and coming back to the Central Coast with three more points.”
Macallister will be aiming to build upon his stunning Hyundai A-League debut across the Tasman on Sunday – a nation where Macallister has enjoyed some noteworthy success previously.
Before Macallister-s brace against the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium in Round 3, the giant marksman-s last goal in Australia-s top-flight football competition was against Auckland-s Football Kingz in November 2003 – a match won 2-0 by Macallister-s Northern Spirit.
New Zealand was also the venue for Macallister-s greatest international success – the 1999 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, where Macallister played a significant role in Australia-s historic march to the final of the tournament.
After coming off the bench and scoring Australia-s goal against Brazil in a 2-1 defeat in Christchurch, Macallister went on to start in each of the Qantas Joeys- five remaining matches and netted penalty goals in shootouts against the United States and Brazil.
“For any striker, scoring goals is high up on the agenda and to get that first goal off my back at my first club in the Hyundai A-League – I couldn-t be more happy,” said Macallister.
“I-m here to be a target man and to work hard and we have a lot of other good strikers and can score goals in midfield as well, so hopefully the goals keep coming for the team and I-d like to catch a couple of them myself.”
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.
