The Central Coast Mariners are today bound for the Western Australian capital armed with a giant squad that is determined to force its way back into the Hyundai A-League winners circle against the Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium on Saturday.
The Central Coast Mariners are today bound for the Western Australian capital armed with a giant squad that is determined to force its way back into the Hyundai A-League winners circle against the Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium on Saturday.
Twenty of the Mariners- Hyundai A-League talents will make the lengthy sojourn across the Nullarbor, including, for the first time in season four, Qantas Socceroo prospect Dean Heffernan, who will potentially contribute to the Mariners- National Youth League (NYL) curtain raiser.
Joining Heffernan is fellow long-term injury sufferer Greg Owens and Australian youth international Chris Tadrosse, who is in line to make his first Hyundai A-League appearance for the Mariners having impressed in a pair of NYL fixtures.
Andrew Clark and Paul O-Grady have also recovered from their respective injury concerns and have been included in the Mariners- travelling party, which is unchanged from the one that suffered a 2-1 defeat at the Telstra Dome last Friday, save for suspended defender Pedj Bojic.
“It is a short week, which is good after a defeat sometimes,” said Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna.
“We-ve dropped six points behind Melbourne now and we have a lot to catch up on, but we believe that we can do that, it won-t be easy in Perth on Saturday night but the boys are looking forward to the trip and getting back on the winning trail.
“If we can put a few wins together over the next few weeks, we-ll be back up there.”
The Mariners- clash against the Glory at Members Equity Stadium on Saturday marks the thirteenth competitive fixture between the two clubs.
Past clashes between the Mariners and the Glory have been among the most significant in the short history of the Mariners.
Firstly, the Mariners claimed their first ever Hyundai A-League silverware when defeating the Glory 1-0 in the inaugural Pre-Season Cup final at Bluetongue Stadium, before notching their first ever Hyundai A-League win against the Glory at Members Equity Stadium less than one week later.
The Mariners then recorded their first ever Hyundai A-League home win in Round 8 of the Hyundai A-League 2005/06 season against the Glory – the 4-0 score line recorded that evening is also the Mariners- all-time greatest winning margin in the Hyundai A-League.
The Mariners- history at Members Equity Stadium has been somewhat indifferent, highlighted by the aforementioned 1-0 triumph on the opening day of the new era of Australian football and last season-s 1-0 win courtesy of an Owens speculator.
Conversely, the Mariners drew with the Glory after leading by two goals in Round 15 of the Hyundai A-League 2005/06 season and suffered a flat 2-0 loss in the second round of season two.
In total, the Mariners have claimed nine wins against the Glory, suffered two losses and drawn twice.
“It-s never easy going to Perth, it doesn-t matter how bad Perth are doing, it-s going to be hard – they-re a big, physical team,” said McKinna.
“They got beat 4-1 by Queensland last week, but they should have been up a goal or two by half time.
“They-ve got a few skilful players there as well and a bit of pace, they-re a good team and taking everything into account with travel and the time difference, it-s a hard trip.”
Perth Glory vs. Central Coast Mariners
Members Equity Stadium – Saturday, 29 November 2008, Kick off 8pm AEDT
Position Midfielder
DOB 26 Nov, 1974
Height 175cm
Weight 77kg
Position Midfielder
DOB 19 Feb, 1987
Height 179cm
Weight 74kg
Position Defender
DOB 5 Sep, 1988
Height 180cm
Weight 77kg
Position Midfielder
DOB 29 Dec, 1979
Height 179cm
Weight 78kg
Position Defender
DOB 19 May, 1980
Height 186cm
Weight 81kg
Position Striker
DOB 30 Nov, 1978
Height 186cm
Weight 87kg
Position Midfielder
DOB 10 Jan, 1982
Height 178cm
Weight 84kg
Position Striker
DOB 17 May, 1982
Height 191cm
Weight 92kg
Position Midfielder
DOB 27 Jan, 1981
Height 182cm
Weight 82kg
Position Defender
DOB 6 Nov, 1978
Height 193cm
Weight 92kg
Position Defender
DOB 24 Aug, 1974
Height 180cm
Weight 74kg
Position Defender
DOB 14 Aug, 1986
Height 188cm
Weight 88kg
Position Midfielder
DOB 29 Jul, 1983
Height 183cm
Weight 75kg
Position Defender
DOB 13 Aug, 1984
Height 187cm
Weight 85kg
Position Striker
DOB 22 Jan, 1986
Height 188cm
Weight 79kg
Position Goalkeeper
DOB 27 Mar, 1985
Height 187cm
Weight 96kg
Position Striker
DOB 5 Mar, 1975
Height 180cm
Weight 80kg
Position Midfielder
DOB 3 Aug, 1984
Height 189cm
Weight 88kg
Position Midfielder
DOB 10 Sep, 1985
Height 172cm
Weight 73kg
Position Goalkeeper
DOB 13 Jan, 1989
Height 194cm
Weight 84kg
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League campaign continues on Saturday, 29 November when they travel to Members Equity Stadium to face the Perth Glory. Kick off is at 8pm AEDT.
The Mariners are next at their Bluetongue Stadium home on Saturday, 6 December when they host the Queensland Roar in Round 14. 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.
