The Central Coast Mariners will head into Saturday night’s week 9 Hyundai A-League match against the North Queensland Fury at Bluetongue Stadium full of confidence, with Argentine import Patricio Perez finally available to make his home debut.
The Central Coast Mariners will head into Saturday night-s week 9 Hyundai A-League match against the North Queensland Fury at Bluetongue Stadium full of confidence, with Argentine import Patricio Perez finally available to make his home debut.
After suspension and injury Mariners Members and supporters will be relishing the prospect of seeing the import in action, after the playmaker put a solid performance at the Gold Coast.
“It-s been a long time coming and the supporters have been patient waiting for him to get on the field to make his home debut,” Arnold said.
“He put in a good shift against the Gold Coast and I think he was a bit short of a gallop.
“He has a totally different style of play to the Australian way of playing. When we first win the ball in transition we play him directly in so he can make the difference
“I know he is looking extremely forward to the game, we-ve worked a lot in fitting him into our style of play and hopefully it all comes together on Saturday night.”
Arnold will also welcome back midfielder Oliver Bozanic from international duty. The former Reading man represented the Qantas Olyroos during their Four Nations campaign in Vietnam and will be an important component for Saturday-s night match.
“We missed him against the Gold Coast on the left hand side so hopefully we will be at full strength on Saturday,” Arnold said.
The Mariners will be looking to continue their undefeated record at “fortress Bluetongue Stadium” this weekend in front of the Yellow Army with three points against the Fury.
The game will be the Mariners last appearance at home for seven weeks as Gosford City Council prepares a complete returfing of the pitch. With a bye and FIFA international break looming as well, Arnold knows how important Saturday night-s home clash will before an extended period on the road.
“It-s what we have spoken about before the competition started that we have to win our home games.
“If we can get three points on Saturday it will keep us up the ladder after we have our next bye, we then have a tough road with five games away from home before we come back and get onto the new pitch at Bluetongue.
“Hopefully a few people will turn up and see the new Mariners style of play, the supporters will be our 12th man,” said Arnold.
North Queensland itself is currently enduring a tough period on the road with three away games in a row. Franz Straka-s men will be lining up without Captain Ufuk Talay, the experienced midfielder is currently serving a two match suspension and his absence will be blow to the Fury chances.
“Ufuk is a good player, he adds a lot of experience to a young side, he-s a ball player plus he takes all their set-pieces so he will be a loss for them,” Arnold said.
The Central Coast Mariners will be in action against North Queensland Fury this Saturday, 2 October at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford. Kick-off is at 5:15pm and tickets are available online at www.ticketek.com.au or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season are still available at www.ccmariners.com.au or by phoning 1300 767 442.
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & delayed on Sky Sports 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford) and Zinc 100.7 (Townsville).
Head-to-Head: All matches (played 3): Central Coast Mariners wins 1, North Queensland Fury wins 0 (2 draws)
In: Oliver BOZANIC (returns from national team duty)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Trent SAINSBURY (knee – 2 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee – season), Mustafa AMINI, Sam GALLAGHER, Marc WARREN (national team duty)
North Queensland Fury squad: 1. Justin PASFIELD (gk), 2. Jack HINGERT, 3. Brad McDONALD, 4. Eric AKOTO, 5. Mark HUGHES, 7. Gareth EDDS (c), 9. Eugene SSEPPUYA, 10. Dyron DAAL, 11. David WILLIAMS, 12. Panagiotis NIKAS, 13. Andre KILIAN, 14. Chris GROSSMAN, 15. Chris PAYNE, 16. Simon STOREY, 17. Osama MALIK, 18. Brett STUDMAN, 19. Isaka CERNAK, 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO, 28. Sebastian USAI (gk)
*four to be omitted*
In: 10. Dyron DAAL (returns from hamstring injury), 18. Brett STUDMAN (promoted), 12. Panagio NIKAS (promoted), 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 6. Ufuk Talay (suspended – 1 match), 8. Adam CASEY (calf – 1 week), 20. Matthew HAM (knee – 3 weeks)
Referee: Kurt Ams
