Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper and guest player Mark Bosnich is looking forward to his keenly anticipated Hyundai A-League debut as much as anyone, but admits that he is as humbled as a goalkeeper once regarded as the best in the world can be.
Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper and guest player Mark Bosnich is looking forward to his keenly anticipated Hyundai A-League debut as much as anyone, but admits that he is as humbled as a goalkeeper once regarded as the best in the world can be.
With incumbent custodian Danny Vukovic commencing his five-match suspension, Bosnich is expected to take the gloves when the Mariners search for their breakthrough win of season four away to the Queensland Roar on Sunday.
Having trained strongly since arriving on the Central Coast in mid-July and having also turned in a pair of impressive performances as a triallist in the Pre-Season Cup – including a 30 minute cameo against Sunday-s opponents, Bosnich is primed and ready for his first shot at the Hyundai A-League.
“I-m humbly anticipating the game this week,” said Bosnich.
“I-ve found the standard of the Hyundai A-League to be excellent, but I-ve only been watching as a bystander, I haven-t been playing.
“I thought that last week was really entertaining, there were 19 goals and the standard has been really good.”
Bosnich has not played a top-flight domestic football match in Australia since December 1991, when he started for Sydney United in their National Soccer League match against the Wollongong Wolves.
Before Bosnich-s 80-minute appearance for the Mariners against Sydney FC as a triallist in last months Pre-Season Cup, Bosnich-s last appearance in Australia was at Sydney-s ANZ Stadium against a Brazilian selection in November 1999 – a match that also featured Queensland Roar captain Craig Moore, midfield ace Danny Tiatto and coach Frank Farina at the helm of the Socceroos.
Bosnich-s last match in a top-tier football competition anywhere in the world was for English Premier League heavyweights Chelsea against Everton at Goodison Park on 18 November 2001.
“I-m very fortunate that the Mariners are a fantastic bunch of lads and the people at the club are fantastic as well, which has made the transition a little bit easier,” said Bosnich.
“I-m very much looking forward to playing against Craig Moore and Danny Tiatto, both of them were exceptional players and they still are very experienced internationals that did the business in the toughest leagues in the world.
“I-m really looking forward to playing and playing against them this week, touch wood.”
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League 2008/09 campaign continues at Brisbane-s Suncorp Stadium this Sunday, 31 August, when the Mariners face the Queensland Roar. Kick off is at 5pm.
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.
