His Hyundai A-League form is said to have caught the eye of Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek, but Central Coast Mariners striker Dylan Macallister has set his sights on domestic success in yellow and navy for the time being.
His Hyundai A-League form is said to have caught the eye of Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek, but Central Coast Mariners striker Dylan Macallister has set his sights on domestic success in yellow and navy for the time being.
Macallister-s derby strike against Sydney FC at Bluetongue Stadium last Saturday was further evidence of the threat posed by the giant 26-year-old, who having returned to Australian shores after four seasons in Norway-s Tippeligaen has quickly restored a reputation that was sky high prior to his departure.
With significant experience with the Qantas Joeys (Under 17-s) and the Qantas Under 23-s, Macallister is no stranger to green and gold and would offer Verbeek-s 2010 FIFA World Cup charge a potent threat going forward.
Macallister-s Mariners strike partners, Nik Mrdja, Sasho Petrovski and Matt Simon, have each been involved with Socceroos squads in recent years and with several solid Hyundai A-League showings now under his belt, Macallister seems likely to be next in line when Australia commence their 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign in January.
“I-m really enjoying my football at the moment, I think I-m fitting in well with the team and Lawrie has shown a bit of faith in me by keeping me in there,” said Macallister.
“The last few games I-ve been a bit frustrated in front of goal, so it was nice to get one to fall to my feet only a few yards out against Sydney.
“My focus is totally on the Mariners – working on my game and enjoying playing regular football and if anything happens after that, it-s just going to be a bonus.”
Having scored his second derby match winner of the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season against Sydney FC last Saturday, Macallister will be hoping to continue his goal scoring form against the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on tomorrow.
Macallister has become a permanent fixture of the yellow and navy strike force since netting on his Hyundai A-League starting debut against the Newcastle Jets in Round 9 – his match opener against the Mariners- southern rivals last Saturday his fourth of the Hyundai A-League season and fifth in all competitive fixtures for the Mariners.
The country of New Zealand holds special memories for Macallister from an international perspective, as it was across the Tasman where Macallister contributed to Australia-s historic march to the final of the 1999 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
“You never know what you-re going to get in Wellington, we-re feeling pretty confident on the back of beating Sydney, while Wellington are really looking to get three points to get back towards that top four,” said Macallister.
“It-s a big trip over there, we-ve got to go over there with confidence, play an attacking style of football and really dominate the game.”
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League season continues across the Tasman on Friday, 19 December at Westpac Stadium against the Wellington Phoenix. Kick off is at 5.30pm AEDT.
The Mariners return to their Bluetongue Stadium home on Wednesday, 31 December – New Year-s Eve – for the showpiece of their annual summer holiday extravaganza, which will culminate with a Hyundai A-League fixture against the Perth Glory. Kick off is at 6pm.
Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
For more information regarding the Gosford waterfront New Year-s Eve festival, visit www.gosfordnye.com.au.
