Central Coast Mariners defender cum midfielder Pedj Bojic is set to rack up an important milestone this Saturday night, as he hones in on his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance in Yellow and Navy.
Central Coast Mariners defender cum midfielder Pedj Bojic is set to rack up an important milestone this Saturday night, as he hones in on his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance in Yellow and Navy.
After plying his trade in England-s second and third tier with Northampton Town, Bojic arrived at the Mariners via his local NSW Premier League club Sutherland Sharks at the beginning of the 2008/09 season, and went on to establish himself as one of the mainstays of the club-s defence and midfield.
“I didn-t realise it was 50 coming up. There have been a lot of good memories, a few bad ones but mostly it has been very good.
“I got an extension on my contract so obviously that was a bonus, but I didn-t set a sight on how many games to play, but I-m more than happy to have played fifty, and hopefully there will be more for the rest of the season,” said Bojic.
After being tested in a few different positions early in the campaign, Bojic found his way into his preferred Right Back position against Wellington last Sunday.
Despite the side going down 2-nil in the Kiwi capital, Bojic says he enjoyed playing in his favoured spot, a place he is likely to hold on to with Brad Porter succumbing to an ongoing foot injury, which will see him miss Saturday-s clash.
“Right back preferably. Left back is similar to right back obviously but it is different again. I want to be there (at right back) but obviously it-s not up to me, it-s up to the coach.
“Wellington is one of those tricky places to go. I don-t know what it is about it, look at their record it speaks for itself. But that is in the past now, Sydney is the new one this Saturday and we-re all looking forward to that,” Bojic said.
The attacking livewire could reach the milestone against his hometown club should he win selection in Graham Arnold-s side to tackle Sydney FC this Saturday night at the Sydney Football Stadium, and Bojic knows it will be a tough test against a Sydney side which has been hit by injury, although it-s expected Mark Bridge could return from a week on the sidelines.
“Especially being the reigning champions all the expectation is on them to do well, but regardless of that we have to bounce back from our (loss). We started promisingly and we have to keep building on that,” Bojic said.
The Central Coast Mariners take on Sydney FC at the Sydney Football Stadium this Saturday, 28 August. Kick-off is at 7:30pm, and tickets are available from www.ticketek.com.au or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season are still available at www.ccmariners.com.au or by phoning 1300 767 442.
In: Mark BRIDGE (returns from injury), Terry ANTONIS (promoted), Dimitri PETRATOS (promoted)
Out: Terry MCFLYNN (Hamstring – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: Alex BROSQUE (Ankle – 1 week)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Jess VANSTRATTAN (gk), 2 Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 9. Nik MRDJA, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 23. Adam KWASNIK.
*two to be omitted*
In: 12. Matthew LEWIS (promoted)
Out: 5. Brad PORTER (foot – 1 week)
Unavailable: 5. Brad PORTER (foot – 1 week)
Referee: Matthew BREEZE
