E-League is back for 2023, with the competition bigger and better than ever before. 11 match days of action kick off tomorrow, with Central Coast Mariners Pro-players Brady Carr and Lachlan Neal ready to face off against some of the best FIFA 23 players in the country.
Making his debut for the Mariners last year after winning the club’s 2022 E-League qualifier event, Brady had a positive first experience in the E-League.
Finishing with one win and one draw out of his five matches, the youngster is prepared to do even better this season.
“I’m very excited to get the competition underway. I’m looking forward to seeing how the competition goes,” he said.
“We are the underdogs but that is what the Central Coast is all about. Competing against some of the best and showing that we can match it with them.”
His promising performances last season saw his contract renewed, becoming player one in the Mariners E-League team. Carr ready to use his experience in the competition to his advantage, without getting too ahead of himself.
“I am a little bit nervous, however I did play last year so I know that I can compete with the best of them,” he said.
“I have played many of my competitors a lot so far this FIFA, so I am kind of used to their play style. My experience last year will help a bit, but it is a new game, so everyone is back to scratch.”
The youngster just excited to be back in the competition again, determined to do his very best and represent the club with pride.
“We can only play who is in front of us, so we will treat every match the same,” he said.
“We will try our best every single game and whatever happens happens.”
Carr is joined by an E-League newcomer this season, with Lachlan Neal putting pen to paper on his first E-League contract.
A Central Coast local who has taken part in our previous qualifying events, a penalty shoot-out win in the final of our 2023 E-League qualifying event sealed his spot on our roster.
Neal nervous at the prospect of facing some of the best FIFA players in the country, but equally as excited for the challenge.
“I am super excited; I can’t wait to get going. I just want it to be time to get started already,” he said.
“Of course there are nerves there, to see some of the players that we are coming up against is slightly intimidating. I’m not going to let that affect me but, I will just go out there and do my best.”
While Neal may not be the most experienced player, he feels that his unpredictability will work to his advantage.
Having not played against many of the other competitors, Neal may very well become the surprise packet of the competition.
“I don’t fully know what to expect, I haven’t played a lot of professional tournaments before. It will be a good test that I know I am ready for,” he said.
“People will underestimate me, thinking it may be an easy game. I know I will put up a good fight and do my best.”
As a part of the E-League official rules both Carr and Neal will need to have two Central Coast Mariners players in their E-league squads.
The duo unanimous in the best three options for the tournament, keeping the exact pairing a secret heading into the initial stages of the competition.
“Two of Jason Cummings, Beni Nkololo and James McGarry will work well I think,” Neal said.
“They will offer us the best return from any of the Mariners FIFA cards.”
Drawn in Group A, Neal will get his tournament underway against MVC BilzaGumus at 6:45pm. He will then take on WEL Airbrn at 9pm.
Brady will play his first match at 6:45pm on Wednesday, taking on ADL Jaz, before a 9pm matchup with MCY Naylor.
All games will be streamed live on the E-League twitch channel, which can be accessed HERE!
The Mariners would like to thank all of our incredible E-League sponsors, Harvey Norman Computers Erina, Lake Haven and West Gosford, MATE, inStyle, Signarama Tuggerah and Anytime Fitness.
