Central Coast Mariners striker Adam Kwasnik is in line for a return to the starting lineup this Sunday, just in time to face his former club the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium.
Central Coast Mariners striker Adam Kwasnik is in line for a return to the starting lineup this Sunday, just in time to face his former club the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium.
After being named in the Mariners- National Youth League side to play Gold Coast united last week, Kwasnik responded in the perfect fashion, with a goal, and a standout 90 minutes in the 3-all win, to put himself back in the frame for a Hyundai A-League recall.
“It was good to get 90 minutes under my belt,” said Kwasnik.
“Obviously it was disappointing not to be in the first team but that-s the way football is. The squad is really competitive at the moment, and I have got to force my way back into the first team squad somehow.
“The boys are doing well at the moment with a great result on Saturday night against the Gold Coast, so it will be interesting to see what happens this week.”
Kwasnik spent a frustrating season in the New Zealand capital during last season-s campaign, failing to score in 12 appearances for Ricki Herbert-s side, and despite enjoying life in Wellington, is thankful to be back on familiar soil.
“I made some good mates over there, but I-m more than happy to be back on the Coast. It-s going to be interesting, but the most important thing is winning, that-s the way I want to go about it.
“I-ve also got my Mrs going over there for a bit of a holiday to see her girlfriends, so hopefully I have a good week on the training paddock and be in the squad on the plane to Wellington, and hopefully we can get a result over there as well,” Kwasnik said.
Kwasnik isn-t the only one with connections to this Sunday-s opponent, Ahmad Elrich also spent time at Westpac Stadium upon his return from the English Premier League, Michael McGlinchey returns to the city of his birth for the first time, while former Mariner Adrian Caceres now calls Wellington home.
Kwasnik though could be the best placed to provide an insight into how the Phoenix will line up on Sunday afternoon.
“Going over there has always been tough, even back in the New Zealand Knights days when you traveled to Auckland. They have a decent set of fans there, they-ve got a good solid squad, and they can do a job on any team in the league on their day.
“We-ve just got to go over there and worry about ourselves, and I-m quietly confident we can go over there and get three points.
“They-ve strung some pretty good performances together over the last few weeks but as I said we just have to worry about ourselves,” said Kwasnik.
The Mariners last week celebrated their 100th Hyundai A-League match with a 3-nil thrashing of league leader Gold Coast United, Wellington will be marking its milestone 50th fixture in the competition having replaced the New Zealand Knights for the start of the 2007/08 season, and the Central Coast will be heading across the Tasman keen to spoil the party.
“For the best part of the game against the Gold Coast we were switched on and were very, very good. If we can do the same thing again on Sunday over there in Wellington, I have no doubt we will get the three points over there,” Kwasnik said.
The Mariners next home match of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season will be against North Queensland Fury on Sunday, 11 October. Kick-off is at 3:00pm. Tickets for this match are available online here or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now available online by clicking here or by phoning 1300 767 442.
