Central Coast Mariners boss Graham Arnold has taken a 16 player squad to the Gold Coast as the Yellow and Navy aim for 16 games without defeat when they take on Miron Bleiberg’s charges tonight.
Central Coast Mariners boss Graham Arnold has taken a 16 player squad to the Gold Coast as the Yellow and Navy aim for 16 games without defeat when they take on Miron Bleiberg-s charges tonight.
With experienced midfielder John Hutchinson missing through suspension, Arnold has opted to add Mustafa Amini, Adriano Pellegrino and Trent Sainsbury to the squad that came from behind to defeat Adelaide United 3-2 at Bluetongue Stadium last Saturday.
Despite sitting 26 points above Gold Coast United on the Hyundai A-League ladder, Arnold knows the match will provide yet another stern test for his side.
“I think it-s a false position for the way Gold Coast play,” Arnold said. “Miron has shown a lot of belief in kids, and they-re a strong side and it-s going to be a real tough game up there.”
“It-s about consistency and performing week-to-week, and the focus is on a good performance.”
Having scored two crucial goals off the bench in the last two matches, striker Adam Kwasnik is one player pushing for a starting berth at Skilled Park.
Following his stint with Chengdu Blades in the Chinese Super League, Kwasnik has returned to full fitness having completed a program designed to prepare him for the second half of the Hyundai A-League campaign.
“Kwas (Adam Kwasnik) went away to China in the off-season, and he-s a player who needs to be fresh to perform the way he has been and the way we know he can,” Arnold said.
“The goal for Kwas always was to try and get him right for January.”
“The two finishes that Kwas got against Melbourne Heart and Adelaide on the weekend were world-
class finishes.”
Match Details
Gold Coast United vs. Central Coast Mariners
Skilled Park, Robina
Kick-off: 7pm (local); 8pm (AEDT)
Twitter: Join the conversation on Twitter. The official hashtag for Friday-s fixture between Gold Coast United and Central Coast Mariners is #HALgcuccm
Line-Ups: Please CLICK HERE to download your complimentary starting list.
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Mathew Ryan (Gk), 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Joshua Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 8. Rostyn Griffiths, 9. Bernie Ibini, 10. Adriano Pellegrino, 11. Oliver Bozanic, 12. Troy Hearfield, 14. Michael McGlinchey, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 18. Alex Wilkinson (C), 20. Justin Pasfield, 22. Mustafa Amini, 23. Adam Kwasnik *one to be omitted*
Gold Coast United squad: 20. Jerrad Tyson (Gk), 3. Michael Thwaite (C), 5. Kristian Rees, 13. Ante Rozic, 14. Ben Halloran, 15. Adama Traore, 16. Maceo Rigters, 17. Chris Harold, 18. James Brown, 21. Daniel Severino, 22. Peter Jungschlager, 23. Dylan McGowan, 24. Jonas Salley, 28. Daniel Bowles, 29. Mitch Bevan, 32. Chris Lucas, 40. Chris O-Connor (Gk) *two to be omitted*
