In the lead up to Sunday’s home match against Brisbane Roar, Josh Rose spoke about the chance to make his 150th Hyundai A-League appearance for the Central Coast Mariners.
Before arriving in the Central Coast and a stint in Romania, the 34-year-old managed 12 appearances for the now defunct New Zealand Knights during the 2005/06 Season but Sunday provides the opportunity for Rose to earn his 150th cap in the Hyundai A-League as a Mariner.
Rose’s name will be etched alongside John Hutchinson & Alex Wilkinson who also surpassed the 150 mark with the Central Coast Mariners.
One of the most versatile and energetic players in the competition, ‘Rosey’ is approaching this Sunday’s fixture at Central Coast Stadium like any other.
After Thursday’s training session, Rose reflected on his 149 Hyundai A-League appearances as a Mariner and spoke about the hurdles that lie ahead, as well as his confidence in overcoming them.
“It’s been a great journey, we’ve had many celebrations but I’ll just be going into my 150th game for the club like I did my first, give it all and get three points,” Rose said.
“I know that I was very lucky to come in when I did, it was a very good generation and we had a great period but as it happens in football good players retire and many of our young players are in the Socceroos fold now.
“We just need to keep working towards that final result and stick together.
“I still feel good; I think the coaching staff are happy with me. I think I’ve still got a lot to offer with the young boys coming through and if we keep working hard I’m sure we’ll get out of it.
“We try and keep things as positive as possible, it’s not too hard with this bunch of boys, everyone is pretty happy every day but when it comes down to business we need to get stuck in and work together as a team.
“We need to get the structure right in defence and attack and just get those crucial little moments back going our way instead of the other team.
“I didn’t mind playing centre back last weekend, it’s a bit easier on the legs but I thought I could help control and direct the boys in front of me a lot more from that position.
“Against Perth we didn’t concede too much ground in behind, and we didn’t feel all that threatened away from home.
“We’ve had some great battles with Brisbane in the six years I’ve been here.
“They’re a great team who are playing some top football, they have young Jamie Maclaren up front who’s very dangerous so we will have to be on our toes.
“It’s just those crucial moments in attack and defence that we need to fix up and I’m sure we will get the win,” Rose said.
Match details
Sunday December 20 2015
Match: Central Coast Mariners vs. Brisbane Roar
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Gates open: 1:45pm
Kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Tickets: CLICK HERE
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505
Radio Broadcast: 96.3 Coast FM
Twitter: Join the match conversation using #CCMvBRI & #CCMFC
