Having returned to his favoured post in central defence, Central Coast Mariners hard man Pedj Bojic is relishing the challenge that will offered by Sydney FC at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night.
Having returned to his favoured post in central defence, Central Coast Mariners hard man Pedj Bojic is relishing the challenge that will offered by Sydney FC at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night.
One of the Mariners- season four success stories, Bojic has barely put a foot wrong since linking with the yellow and navy ahead of their Hyundai A-League Premiership defence.
With 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers looming on the horizon and Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek indicating that he is likely to take an entirely Australian based line up to Indonesia in late January, Bojic is perhaps in line for recognition in green and gold.
For the time being though, the former Australian youth international is focused on domestic duties and three Hyundai A-League points for the Mariners against their southern rivals on Saturday night.
“It-s always good to play against the glamour club and, being from Sydney as well, you always want to get one over them,” said Bojic.
“The fact that they beat us at Bluetongue Stadium before makes this a must win for us.
“Three points at the weekend will be massive, three points would have been massive against Queensland as well, but our next two games have to return six points for us to compete for the top four and even a top two spot.”
Having made a successful return from suspension against the Queensland Roar at Bluetongue Stadium last Saturday, Bojic will hoping to carry such form into this Saturday-s encounter against Sydney FC, his hometown club.
Bojic, 24, has been a permanent fixture in the Mariners- line up throughout season four, save for the yellow and navy-s clash in Perth a fortnight ago due to the aforementioned suspension and may well directly oppose former Sutherland Sharks team-mate Brendan Gan on Saturday night.
Gan marked his second appearance in Sydney colours with the match winning goal against the Mariners- northern rivals the Newcastle Jets last round and along with Bojic was a cornerstone of the Sharks- Premiership winning 2008 NSW Premier League season.
Bojic-s previous experience against Sydney FC is best remembered for his unlikely recovery from a sickening first half head clash with Sydney defender Beau Busch at the Sydney Football Stadium in November.
“It-s good for Brendan to have got on the score sheet and hopefully his career can now start with Sydney FC, but it-ll be great to play against him and make a few tackles on him as well,” said Bojic.
“I remember everything from the last game, I haven-t seen the head clash on video yet, apparently it-s pretty bad.
“Ideally I wouldn-t get another head gash, but, worst case scenario, if it has to happen to contribute to the job at hand – lets do it.”
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League season continues at their Bluetongue Stadium home on Saturday, 13 December against southern rivals Sydney FC. Kick off is at 7pm.
Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
