“We know that as a local derby, this game is massive for our fans and that itself makes it massive for the players.”
Alen Stajcic had no doubts about what game his side was preparing for during the week, as the #F3Derby approaches. The Mariners will travel up the Motorway on Sunday to take on the Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium in what shapes as a must-win clash for both teams.
Staj's first game in charge? The #F3Derby away last season. #CCMFC
The result? ?? pic.twitter.com/6Manx4Zcho— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) February 7, 2020
Despite a strong performance the Mariners fell to Western Sydney last weekend, while the Jets huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the house down in a one-sided encounter against Western United.
Stajcic and his squad welcomed new signing Chris Harold to the fold this week and the former Glory wide man could feature, although Stajcic was tight-lipped as to what degree that role may be at media on Friday.
“He’s only been here a short time, so we’ve got to dampen our expectations of how much he can play,” Stajcic said.
“He is a fantastic player, has a lot of A-League experience and has been in a winning culture the last couple of years so he certainly brings a lot to the table and we’re hoping he can have a productive time here.
For Stajcic himself this game is a standout fixture, as he took charge of Mariners for this fixture in round 22 last season, his first as interim coach.
The Mariners came out on top 3-2 in a frenetic encounter but much has changed for both teams since then and spoils were shared the last time they met, 1-1 back in round two at Central Coast Stadium.
Sunday morning’s pitch inspection confirmed that the game WILL go ahead, and travelling fans are reminded to drive safely and heed warnings regarding conditions on the trip.
Squads |
Newcastle Jets squad: 2.Bobby BURNS, 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (c), 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 7.Roy O’DONOVAN, 9.Abdiel ARROYO, 10.Dimi PETRATOS, 11.Nick FITZGERALD, 14.Kaine SHEPPARD, 16.Matt MILLAR, 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 19.Kosta PETRATOS, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 23.Matt RIDENTON, 28.Pat LANGLOIS, 29.Connor O’TOOLE, 30.Keegan HUGHES (gk), 32.Angus THURGATE, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY
**2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 7.Roy O’DONOVAN (new signing), 23.Matt RIDENTON (promoted), 29.Connor O’TOOLE (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 1.Glen MOSS (calf – 1-3 weeks), 22.Lachlan JACKSON (knee – indefinite), 40.Noah JAMES (hand – 3 months)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 2.Ian Zygmunt GORDON, 3.Jack CLISBY, 4.Eunsun KIM, 7.Milan ÐURIĆ, 8.Michael MCGLINCHEY, 10.Tommy OAR, 11.Daniel DESILVA, 12.Adam PEARCE (gk), 14.Abraham MAJOK, 15.Kye ROWLES, 17.Sam SILVERA, 18.Gianni STENSNESS, 19.Matthew SIMON, 21.Ruon TONGYIK, 24.Chris HAROLD, 26.Joshua NISBET, 27.Lewis MILLER, 29.Jair BRITTO, 30 Dylan RUIZ-DIAZ
**2-4 to be omitted**
INS: 17.Sam SILVERA (Promoted), 21.Ryon TONGYIK (Promoted), 24.Chris HAROLD (New Signing)
OUTS: 9.Jordan MURRAY (Foot – 1 week)
Match Details |
Sunday, 9th February
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 4pm (AEDT)
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Gallagher
Assistant Referee 2: Andrej Giev
Fourth Official: Tim Danaskos
VAR: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Stream: Kayo Sports & MyFootball Live App
Radio: MyFootballNation (Coast FM), ABC Newcastle
