As the Mariners prepare to face Western United on Sunday afternoon in Geelong, Daniel DeSilva was reflective on the positivity shown against Melbourne Victory in Round 14.
Now a mainstay of Alen Stajcic’s side, DeSilva is thriving in an attack that remains formidable on paper but is still learning to click as the season approaches its half way point.
“I think we created a lot of chances in the game and I think if you keep on putting pressure on the defence then sometimes you get lucky,” he told media on Friday.
“We get two good penalties from forward runs and getting behind the defence so I think we deserved those penalties, which helped us win the game.”
With one goal and one assist so far this Hyundai A-League season DeSilva will be keen to add to that tally against Western United, who were defeated 1-0 by the Mariners in Round 7, with Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s long range effort separating the two sides back in November.
Take a look back at the highlights from round seven, as we took on tomorrow's opponents for the first time. #CCMFC #WUNvCCM pic.twitter.com/DpkcwnHFvr
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) January 18, 2020
The 22-year old is wary of the threat United pose, but believes that the Mariners have a good idea of what to expect from Mark Rudan’s men on Sunday at GMHBA Stadium.
“They have a great team and are a team in form so it’s going to be a tough game, there are no easy games in this league but we’ve played them already so we know what to expect.”
“There might be a few changes here and there but we will prepare as best as we can for the game and obviously playing away is a bit different than playing at home.”
“We go into the game with confidence, knowing we will do our best and hopefully get the job done.”
Some very welcome rain made for a wet session this morning. #CCMFC #WUNvCCM pic.twitter.com/2cVZgIiF10
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) January 17, 2020
Knowing that a win could take them into the top six, the attacker is cautiously optimistic that his Mariners side have the ability to make the finals for the first time since the 2013-14 season with the right application and effort.
“I think our biggest goal [this year] is to get into the finals.”
“This club hasn’t been in the finals for a few years now so it’s really important for us to do the best that we can to get that result.”
“We are playing well, we have good momentum, it’s just important now to win games back to back which is something we’ve unfortunately not been able to do that through the season, so it’s a really important game for us coming up.”
Still only young, DeSilva still has a long way to go in the game and is keen to perform to the best of his ability with his best years arguably still ahead of him.
At the back of his mind is the chance of a spot in the Olyroos 2020 Olympic team if they qualify, but DeSilva is resolute in his belief that hard work for the Mariners is priority number one.
“To go to the Olympics would be something special and not many people get to do that so it’s something in the back of my mind, but for the most I just try to focus on playing here and having good games week in week out and the rest will take care of itself.”
