He scored a double in a 4-nil thrashing the last time the two sides met, and now Central Coast Mariners striker Adam Kwasnik has called on Mariners Members and supporters to help repeat the dose in this weekend’s “real” Hyundai A-League derby against Sydney FC.
He scored a double in a 4-nil thrashing the last time the two sides met, and now Central Coast Mariners striker Adam Kwasnik has called on Mariners Members and supporters to help repeat the dose in this weekend-s “real” Hyundai A-League derby against Sydney FC.
The Mariners have the chance to close the gap at the top of the ladder to just four points, but Kwasnik says it will be no easy feat against a team which, despite being at long odds to make the Finals Series, has found some form in recent weeks.
“Sydney have hit a bit of form lately so they-re going alright and being a derby they will bring their fans up which is always a great spectacle,” said Kwasnik.
Six points already this week for the Mariners, including an F3 derby victory over Newcastle and a hard fought win in a six-and-a-half thousand kilometre trip to Perth, sees them in outright second spot, and Kwasnik is confident they can heap further pressure on league leader Brisbane this Sunday.
“The boys have played four games in the last ten days and have done really well so hopefully we can get over the line on Sunday.
“We-ve taken it one game at a time to date, we-ve done extremely well and we-re extremely proud of one another but this game against Sydney is just another game where we have to get three points to consolidate second spot,” Kwasnik said.
The foundation Mariner currently sits on eight goals for the campaign, a figure which would have been good enough to be named golden boot last season, but he finds himself in a dogged battle with Matt Simon, who has found the back of the net ten times, for this season-s honour.
“Simmo is a proven goalscorer and I-m chiming in as well, so is Daniel McBreen and hopefully (Michael) Baird can get on the scoresheet sometime soon so we-re all chiming in with goals and the most important thing is the team is getting the right results,” said Kwasnik.
While the two Melbourne teams meet in their third derby so far this season, the Mariners local rivalry with Sydney FC goes back six years, 18 matches, 56 goals, 68 yellow cards and five send offs, with memories to well and truly last a lifetime.
Kwasnik believes it-s these kind of memories which make Derbies truly memorable.
“The Melbourne derby will take some time to get used to but the Sydney derby we have against them and also the F3 derby against Newcastle they are true spectacles.
“Our fans have been great throughout the season and we have put on some great spectacles for them as well, and Sunday will be no different, it-s a derby so to get one over Sydney would be awesome,” Kwasnik said.
The Central Coast Mariners next match of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season will be against Sydney FC this Sunday, 23 January at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford. Tickets are available through www.ticketek.com.au or by phoning 132 849.
