Alen Stajcic and the Mariners are back in action at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday afternoon, welcoming Western Sydney Wanderers as both teams look for a return to winning ways.
The Mariners went down to Brisbane last weekend, dominating for large swathes of the match before falling to a deflected cross late in the game, and Stajcic rued his team’s luck in the post-match press conference.
NOTE: The Central Coast Mariners will work with the Hyundai A-League and FFA in the lead-up to this game, to continually monitor forecast weather conditions on Sunday afternoon. Any decisions regarding drinks breaks, seating arrangements or amendments to the fixture will be clearly communicated when appropriate.
This week though spirits were high again in camp, and with the game coming a week before the #F3Derby against the Jets, building momentum with a win will be important.
Josh Nisbet impressed in his second Hyundai A-League start last week and could be a chance to feature again, while it could be a new look Wanderers side with Jean Paul de-Marigny taking charge of the side for the first time and new signing Simon Cox coming into the fray.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Stajcic said he expects a motivated Western Sydney side, but the focus is on his own troops after two consecutive losses.
“They’ve got a new coach, so a new motivation and that always changes the dynamics in the team and the club,” he said.
“Someone like JP who has been around for a long time is very experienced and I’m sure he’ll know how to get the best out of his team for this game and it’s an important game for both teams considering our positions on the ladder.”
“From our perspective I know that over the last five or six weeks we’ve been in most matches, dominated most matches but only won a couple so we’ve got a lot to work on to improve those important qualities and ensure that we get the points on the day.”
“It’s not enough to just dominate territory and possession, we really need to make sure we execute our critical parts of the match.
It's a big occasion for @MarkBirraz this weekend, as he gets set for his 100th @ALeague appearance. #CCMFC #CCMvWSW
Tickets ?https://t.co/wFyMurgp6f pic.twitter.com/cMrKjFHMBX— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) January 31, 2020
The match is also the 100th Hyundai A-League outing for Mark Birighitti, and Stajcic praised the shot-stopper for his work this season since arriving at the club.
“It’s a great achievement for him on a personal level,” Stajcic said.
“He’s been a great signing, provided a real strong presence at the back and been a wall, and he is hard for teams to get by.”
“His experience and bringing him to the club has added a lot of value to not just him but the backline and to young Adam Pearce as well.”
Tickets are still available to purchase for Sunday’s match!
Squads |
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 2.Ian Zygmunt GORDON, 3.Jack CLISBY, 4. Eunsun KIM, 7. Milan ÐURIĆ, 8. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 9. Jordan MURRAY, 10. Tommy OAR, 11. Daniel DESILVA, 12. Adam PEARCE (gk), 14. Abraham MAJOK, 15. Kye ROWLES, 17. Samuel SILVERA, 18. Gianni STENSNESS, 19. Matthew SIMON, 26. Joshua NISBET, 27. Lewis MILLER, 29. Jair BRITTO, 30. Dylan RUIZ-DIAZ
**2-4 to be omitted**
INS: 14. Abraham MAJOK (Promoted), 30. Dylan RUIZ-DIAZ (Promoted)
OUTS: 6. Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO (Left Club)
Unavailable: 16. Dylan FOX (Foot)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Daniel LOPAR (GK), 4.Dylan MCGOWAN, 5.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 6.Matthew JURMAN, 7.Mitchell DUKE (c), 8.Jordan O’DOHERTY, 9.Nicolai MULLER, 10.Simon COX, 11.Bruce KAMAU, 13.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 17.Keanu BACCUS, 19.Pirmin SCHWEGLER, 22.Nicholas SULLIVAN, 23.Kosta GROZOS, 27.Kwame YEBOAH, 31.Noah PAGDEN, 33.Tate RUSSELL, 34.Patrick ZIEGLER, 35.Mohamed ADAM, 40.Nicholas SUMAN (GK)
**2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 8.Jordan O’DOHERTY (promoted), 10.Simon COX (new signing), 13.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS (returns from international duty), 17.Keanu BACCUS (returns from international duty)
Outs: 21.Tarek ELRICH (departed), 59.Dean PELEKANOS (not selected)
Unavailable: 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (shoulder), 29.Daniel WILMERING (knee)
Match Details |
Sunday, 2nd February
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 4pm (AEDT)
Referee: Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1: Ashley Beecham
Assistant Referee 2: James Cleal
Fourth Official: Tim Danaskos
VAR: Kurt Ams
Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Stream: Kayo Sports, MyFootball Live App
Radio: SWR, Coast FM
