Luis Garcia and Tony Walmsley are committed to delivering a performance that could bring a halt to the red-hot form of Adelaide United FC this Sunday where the Spaniard is set to make his starting debut at Central Coast Stadium.
The Yellow & Navy will miss Harry Ascroft who serves a one-match suspension but this should bear no impact on Walmsley’s starting back four.
Exciting winger, Mitch Austin was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s loss against Brisbane Roar but will be back to full fitness this weekend to work in tandem with Fabio Ferreira on both flanks. Garcia’s service will serve as a huge asset to the attacking forays of our wide men, which is much to the pleasure of Mariners supporters.
Tony Walmsley
“Luis is training really well, we’ve obviously managed him carefully, there’s always a difference starting a game to coming on but the role we’re going to give him is one that suits him and he’s clever enough to cause problems,” Walmsley said.
“With Mitch Austin back in the team and Ferreira on the other side, our two flying machines, we’re hoping to get enough possession to Luis for him to unlock the door against Adelaide.
“He’ll make a good hour and use his intelligence in the front third so hopefully he can get us on the scoresheet.
“We need to produce our best performance of the season because the performance in Brisbane was so far away from where we are and who we are.
“There needs to be an instant bounce back, nothing less than our best performance of the season is going to be acceptable.
“That performance was unacceptable and not expected as we were on such an upward trajectory.
“If we’re preparing for Adelaide to be fatigued, we’re preparing for failure, they gave us a touch up away from home so if we’re anything less than prepared for a team that’s at the top of their game then we will come unstuck,” Walmsley said.
Luis Garcia
“We are looking forward to this game, hopefully we can have the support of a big crowd and help us win a big game at home,” Garcia said.
“To have team spirit and to have confidence in ourselves and try to do it all together.
“I am excited, it’s very important to start from the beginning, I feel comfortable and have been looking forward to this moment so hopefully I can have a good game and help the team.
“The most important thing is that the team needs to stick together, I’ve spoken to the young players about my experiences and having confidence in ourselves. We need to keep going and keep fighting for what we want,” Garcia said”
Key stats
- No team has hit the woodwork on more occasions than Adelaide in the A-League this season (11), while they are one of just two teams to have done at least 10 times.
- Adelaide United have scored a league-high four of the 14 goals netted in injury time (second half only) this season.
- Central Coast Mariners have conceded a league-high six goals in second half injury time this season.
- Adelaide United have won five of their last six regular season matches against Central Coast Mariners, including each of their last two.
- Prior to those matches, Central Coast had won nine matches in a row against the Adelaide side.
FORM LINES
Central Coast: DLLWL
Adelaide United WWWWD
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1.Paul IZZO (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Josh ROSE, 4.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 6.Mitch AUSTIN, 7.Fabio FERREIRA, 8.Nick MONTGOMERY (c) 10.Luis GARCIA, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 13.Alastair BRAY (gk) 15.Brad McDONALD, 16.Liam ROSE, 17.Francesco STELLA, 19.Josh BINGHAM, 21.Michael NEILL, 22.Jake McGING, 23.Tomislav USKOK, 28.Matthew FLETCHER
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 6.Mitch AUSTIN (return from injury), 12.Trent BUHAGIAR (promoted), 17.Francesco STELLA (promoted),
Outs: 5.Harry ASCROFT (suspended – 1 week),
Unavailable: 9.Roy O’DONOVAN (suspended – 3 weeks)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk) (c), 2.Michael MARRONE, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 6.Stefan MAUK, 7.PABLO SANCHEZ, 8.ISAIAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 11.Bruce DJITE, 14.George MELLS, 15.Ben Warland, 16.Craig GOODWIN, 17.Mate DUGANDZIC, 20.John HALL (gk), 23.Jordan ELSEY, 24.Bruce KAMAU
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 15.Ben Warland (promoted), 24.Bruce KAMAU (promoted), 25.Ruon TONGYIK (promoted)
Outs: 3.Iacopo LA ROCCA (suspension – 3 matches), 21.Tarek ELRICH (suspension – 1 match)
Unavailable: 19.Eli BABALJ (knee – season)
Luis Garcia’s starting debut
Sunday February 14
Match: Central Coast Mariners vs. Adelaide United
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 3:00pm (AEDT)
TICKETS: CLICK HERE
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505
Radio Broadcast: 96.3 Coast FM
Twitter: Join the match conversation using #CCMvADL, #CCMFC & #GarciaIN
