The Central Coast Mariners today depart for the New Zealand capital in a bid to notch their second win of season four – with impressive Hyundai A-League rookie Pedj Bojic in tow and again expected to play a pivotal role.
The Central Coast Mariners today depart for the New Zealand capital in a bid to notch their second win of season four – with impressive Hyundai A-League rookie Pedj Bojic in tow and again expected to play a pivotal role.
The former Australian youth international defender has exploded onto the Hyundai A-League stage with three consecutive starts for the yellow and navy, after debuting against Sydney FC in the second round of the 2008 Pre-Season Cup at Bluetongue Stadium.
Bojic-s youth international history included a start for the Qantas Joeys against New Zealand in Auckland in 2001, where Australia recorded a resounding 6-0 triumph.
Bojic lined up alongside Mariners captain Alex Wilkinson on that day and went on to do so for much of the Qantas Joeys- 2001 FIFA Under-17 World Cup qualification campaign and tournament proper and has assumed the post beside his former youth international team-mate seamlessly since linking with the Mariners for season four.
“I-m quite enjoying it and I was quite confident in making the step up to the Hyundai A-League and so far it-s paying off,” said Bojic.
“Before I came to the Mariners I noted that they were one of the better Hyundai A-League teams in terms of team morale and the family atmosphere about the club.
“All the boys have welcomed me and it-ll be all good from here.”
Bojic-s adjustment to the Hyundai A-League has indeed been impressive, but is hardly surprising when glancing at the 24-year-old-s playing history.
Aside from the aforementioned appearances for Australia at the 2001 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, Bojic was introduced to the elite level of domestic football in Australia as a 16-year-old when first appearing for the Parramatta Power in the National Soccer League (NSL).
Further seasons in Australia, culminating in a solid 13-match contribution to Sydney Olympic-s last ever NSL season in 2003/04 paved the way for Bojic-s noteworthy three-year stay at Northampton Town in England-s lower leagues.
Initially a cornerstone member of Northampton-s Football League 2 charge, Bojic helped inspire the Cobblers to a promotion to the Football League 1 – a position that the club still maintains.
Such battle hardened experience from over 100 appearances throughout the United Kingdom has added to Bojic-s value to the Mariners- season four charge, which has seen the versatile defender deployed in almost every position across the yellow and navy backline.
“When I played overseas I played a bit on the left side but obviously more recently I-ve been in the centre, but I-m enjoying it at left back and I-m sure I-ll keep enjoying it,” said Bojic.
“Wellington haven-t won a game this season, so they-ll be buzzing to get a win at home, especially coming off the loss that they did last round, they-ll be up for it, but at the same time we-re coming off a win so our morale is quite high – I guess we-ve got nothing to fear going into the game.”
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League 2008/09 campaign continues against the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on Sunday, 14 September. Kick off is at 3pm AEST.
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.
