Although the Central Coast Mariners are five points away from the summit of the Hyundai A-League with eight rounds to play, lynchpin midfielder Mile Jedinak believes that the yellow and navy are capable of duplicating their season three Premiership success.
Although the Central Coast Mariners are five points away from the summit of the Hyundai A-League with eight rounds to play, lynchpin midfielder Mile Jedinak believes that the yellow and navy are capable of duplicating their season three Premiership success.
Jedinak was a crucial contributor to the Mariners- greatest domestic success to date – the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Premiers Plate – and has set his sights on a repeat feat in season four.
However, in order to emulate their triumph of yesteryear, the Mariners will need to showcase season best form throughout the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2008/09, which continues in earnest at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday against expert travellers the Queensland Roar.
With six points separating the top six teams in the Hyundai A-League, there is almost certainly plenty of drama to come from a campaign where the Mariners have not yet replicated their scintillating season three showings.
“Teams are going to beat other teams, it-s just the way this competition is, we saw it last round and it-s happened before, so if we can get a roll going and a few wins in a row, we-ll be well in the race,” said Jedinak.
“Let-s hope that we can start that off this week and build from there.
“The Roar will be one of our toughest games this year, they-re a good team, well organised and their away record speaks for itself, they haven-t lost away yet and that-s something to take notice of.
“Then again, we-re not too bad ourselves at home and the boys will be up for it this week.”
Jedinak continued his rich vein of goal scoring form against the Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium last Sunday – the 24-year-old-s fifth strike of the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season.
After finding the back of the net twice throughout his rookie campaign on the Central Coast, Jedinak has expanded his dominant midfield game to pose a lethal threat going forward and also a potent option from set pieces.
Of the five goals Jedinak has slotted so far this season, four have been from dead ball situations – one being against Saturday-s opponents, the Queensland Roar, at Suncorp Stadium in Round 3.
Since arriving at the Mariners on a short-term basis towards the end of their Hyundai A-League 2006/07 season, Jedinak has become a cornerstone contributor in yellow and navy and is currently four appearances short of his half-century of caps in competitive matches.
“I-ll take any goal that I can get, I don-t really get many opportunities but whatever goals I can contribute to the team, if it helps us get the result – fantastic,” said Jedinak.
“This month will shape our season and shape the final four and it-s important for not just us, but for all teams to get points.
“No game is going to be easy and we expect teams to come to Bluetongue Stadium and try to get results and we-ll always need to be on our best game to get three points.”
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League campaign continues 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.
