Dynamic midfielder Daniel DeSilva is in line to make his 100th A-League appearance this week as the Mariners take on Western United at Central Coast Stadium.
Since making his debut at just 15 years of age, four days before his 16th birthday in 2013, DeSilva has struggled with consistent game time, never playing more than 21 games in a season and battling a myriad of injuries.
But now, the 23-year-old has started to find form and a consistent spot under Alen Stajcic and after a stunning winner against Melbourne City on Wednesday night says he is excited to go on with it this season.
Daniel DeSilva, take a bow!
The match winner from #CCMvMCY
See you on Sunday ?? https://t.co/8tAzJccrrB? @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/RwcaoSVYBr
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) February 4, 2021
“Something I’ve really focussed on is just making sure my body is right for the season,” DeSilva said on Saturday.
“[I want] to be available for every game to play as many game as possible as well, so that’s definitely something I’ll continue to do throughout the season to make sure I’m fit and ready to go.”
“I’m just really enjoying my football at the moment and enjoying the environment with teammates and everything like that.”
“It’s a cool milestone I guess, I’ve obviously been around the league for a while now.”
“Definitely pretty happy to have been able to achieve 100 games on Sunday and I’m looking forward to the occasion and hopefully we’ll be able to get three points as well.”
DeSilva’s 100th game comes as he enjoys a rich vein of form, with two goals and an assist to his name already through six games.
He will face a tough test on Sunday against an experienced and physical Western United side but said that the team is looking to keep positive momentum going from Wednesday’s win.
“I think everyone is buzzing, obviously it was a great comeback victory so it’s a nice way to win the game,” he said.
“Of course, for Matty Simon as well, a nice way to mark his accolade so everyone’s really still feeling great in the camp and everything like that.”
“So we’ve just got to go again on Sunday and no matter if we win or lose we just keep on going.”
With the Mariners away from home for a month after Sunday’s match, DeSilva said he and the team are hoping for a big crowd at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
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“I think the fans play a huge part in our team’s success,” DeSilva said.
“I think they’ve always been there through the hard times and it’s great to see them supporting us now through the good times.”
“We don’t play at home for a month after this game on Sunday so it would be a great feeling and great for us as players to see all the fans turn out and really give us their support, we are always so appreciative of them and sometimes it really gets us over the line.”
HOW TO GET YOUR ‘KIDS GO FREE’ TICKETS
- Click here to go to Ticketek
- Select ‘Find Tickets’
- Select the Yellow or Navy General Admission Seating Area
- Depending on how many kids are attending, select the ‘Adult plus 1/2/3/4 Junior’ option
- Proceed to the checkout to complete your purchase
- Enjoy the game!
