Central Coast Mariners striker Adam Kwasnik could arguably be enjoying the form of his career thus far at the moment, having scored seven goals in his past eight appearances in Yellow and Navy. Now, the 27-year-old from Sydney’s Western Suburbs is about to notch his 100th Hyundai A-League appearance for his beloved Mariners, but individual honours
Central Coast Mariners striker Adam Kwasnik could arguably be enjoying the form of his career thus far at the moment, having scored seven goals in his past eight appearances in Yellow and Navy. Now, the 27-year-old from Sydney-s Western Suburbs is about to notch his 100th Hyundai A-League appearance for his beloved Mariners, but individual honours don-t rank high on his agenda.
“It-s always nice to notch up those sorts of milestones, hopefully we can do it with a win and come back with a smile on our faces,” Kwasnik said.
After making his name as somewhat of a “super-sub” in recent weeks, Kwasnik was handed a start against Sydney FC last Saturday night, and with a double inside 25-minutes, it-s fair to say he took the chance with both hands.
“I-m definitely enjoying it. It-s been good, I-ve been coming off the bench doing a job and I finally got a start last weekend and did a job there. We still have a lot of work to do and we have to keep working hard to get the results and (achieving) those goals.
“I was very relieved. All my mates were sort of pumping me up but I just enjoyed it. I went out there to have a lot of fun and Simmo (Matt Simon) put two on a plate for me so I was happy to take those two,” said Kwasnik.
One of those goals came after just 28 seconds of play at Bluetongue Stadium, and while many were still finding their seats, Kwasnik fell 14 seconds short of the record for the fastest goal by a Mariner, to the man partnering him up front on that occasion.
“Simmo did it last season against North Queensland and I was on the pitch for that which was quite quick but to actually score and to go on with the game and play some good football was the main thing,” Kwasnik said.
The Mariners head across the Nullarbor to face a Perth side which has tasted success just once in its last 14 outings, but Kwasnik knows only too well the fight that former Mariners Assistant coach and now Glory boss Ian Ferguson will instil in his men.
“Fergie will have them fired up, he always does. They have had a bad season obviously but the squad they have on paper can produce anything at any time so we just have to worry about ourselves. We-ll go over there full of confidence to get the three points.
The most exciting thing for Mariners fans is that their side, already sitting fourth on the Hyundai A-League ladder and within striking distance of the summit, is that there is still room for improvement in a squad already brimming with talent.
“I think we-ve still got a bit to improve on as well so once we hit our straps heading into the finals it will be all systems go.
“Sydney-s defence wasn-t great on the weekend but we have proved it against the best of defences and we-ll be looking to prove it again against Perth,” Kwasnik said.
Head-to-head: All matches (played 16): Perth Glory wins 2, Central Coast Mariners wins 10 (4 draws)
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports, FS1 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League partners are 6PR 882AM (Perth) and 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com.au .
Perth Glory squad: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2. Josh MITCHELL 3. Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 7.Jacob BURNS (C), 9.Robbie FOWLER, 10.Michael BAIRD, 11. Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Tommy AMPHLETT, 14.Steven McGARRY, 15.Howard FONDYKE, 16. Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 20. Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 22.Anthony SKORICH, 24. Josh RISDON
*three to be omitted*
In: 2. Josh MITCHELL, 12.Scott NEVILLE (return from suspension), 4.Andy TODD, 5.Jamie HARNWELL (return from injury), 22.Anthony SKORICH (promoted).
Out: 18.Brent GRIFFTHS (suspended), 19 Naum SEKULOVSKI (suspended), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI (suspended).
Unavailable: 6.Chris COYNE (on loan – January), 8.Victor SIKORA (Hip – season), 18. Brent GRIFFITHS, 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI (suspended), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI (suspended).
Central Coast Mariners squad: 2. Daniel McBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk).
*one to be omitted*
?
In: Daniel McBREEN (returns from suspension)?
Out: Nil
?Unavailable: Brad PORTER (knee – 8 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee – season).
Referee: Gerard Parsons
