He was on the scoresheet as the Central Coast Mariners turned a 2-nil deficit around to beat Newcastle 3-nil and qualify first for the Hyundai A-League 2008 Grand Final, and striker Adam Kwasnik insists the side can do it again.
He was on the scoresheet as the Central Coast Mariners turned a 2-nil deficit around to beat Newcastle 3-nil and qualify first for the Hyundai A-League 2008 Grand Final, and striker Adam Kwasnik insists the side can do it again.
After going down to Brisbane 2-nil in the first leg of their Major Semi Final on Saturday, the Mariners head to the Queensland capital needing to score three goals to advance to be the first side into this season-s decider, and while much of Australia may be willing to bet against the Yellow and Navy, Kwasnik says there-s a belief in the squad that anything is possible.
“They were great days back in season three and I definitely think we have the squad to do it again. We-re going to go up there full of confidence and give it a shake.
The pressure is really on them, they are in front of 25-30-thousand people and they will want to produce, but we just have to go about our own game and if we get one early then I-m sure the panic stations will start to creep into their game,” said Kwasnik.
Kwasnik, Alex Wilkinson and John Hutchinson are the only surviving members from the side which famously secured a 3-nil win over the Jets at Bluetongue Stadium in the return leg of their Major Semi Final three seasons ago, and he says while it-s important experience to take into Saturday-s tie in Brisbane, it-s all about keeping a familiar pattern in the build up.
“The boys that have been there from the very beginning know what is at stake and know these things can be achieved, but as a playing squad the boys are going about their week as usual, and as I said we are quietly confident going up there to give it a real go,” said Kwasnik.
The Mariners have little to lose as they throw caution to the wind this Saturday night, if they fail to score three goals, or force extra time with a 2-nil victory inside 90 minutes, they would host a Preliminary Final against either Gold Coast United or Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium next weekend, two teams the Mariners have already dispatched during the regular campaign.
“At the moment they are the top team in the league but we are just going to worry about ourselves and we know what we have to do. It is a big task and we-re just worrying about ourselves, we-ll prepare right and leave nothing in the tank at the end of 90 minutes,” Kwasnik said.
The Yellow and Navy-s attacking triumvirate of Kwasnik, Daniel McBreen and Matt Simon has produced 24 goals so far this campaign and Attacking Midfield dynamo Patricio Perez has chipped in with six from just 13 starts, but Kwasnik knows that three this Saturday night could prove the most crucial of the season so far.
“Don-t forget, it-s a team game and there are 11 players out there plus subs, so we are very confident that as a team in general (we) can do a job, it doesn-t matter who scores the goals – of course strikers love to score goals – but the most important thing is the result and we-re going to go up there and give it a real shake,” said Kwasnik.
A strong travelling contingent of Mariners Members and supporters is expected at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, and the Mariners are desperately hoping to give them a happy trip home.
The Central Coast Mariners next match of the Hyundai A-League 2011 Finals Series is against Brisbane Roar This Saturday, 26 February at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Kick-off is at 7:00pm QST (8:00pm AEDT) and tickets are available online at www.ticketek.com.au or by phoning 132 849.
