Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Phil Moss says his team is looking forward to their second 2014 AFC Champions League Group F clash against Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Central Coast Stadium on Tuesday.
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Phil Moss says his team is looking forward to their second 2014 AFC Champions League Group F clash against Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Central Coast Stadium on Tuesday.
The back-to-back J.League Champions head to Gosford following two wins in their first two games of their domestic season against Cerezo Osaka and Kawasaki Frontale, but Moss insists his players are prepared for the encounter.
“It-s a privilege to play against a side of their standing in Asian football and we-re very much looking forward to the challenge,” Moss said.
“For them to go back-to-back is certainly no easy feat and they-ll certainly get the respect they deserve from us. It-s a challenge that we-re relishing that we know we-re up to and we-re ready for whatever they throw at us tomorrow night.”
Moss says he was pleased with his team-s performance in their Hyundai A-League round 22 match against Melbourne Victory last Friday and insists the yellow and navy are on the right track.
“Our performance was very encouraging, we are moving the ball a lot better and our defensive structure has been very strong, despite losing on the weekend. We-re happy with where we are at and tomorrow is a chance to prove to the Australian public that we are a quality outfit,” he said.
“This is a big game for us in the scheme of our ACL campaign. The boys love being back home, so expect a good performance from us tomorrow night.”
Moss hinted Mariners fans could see a few changes in the starting line-up with Central Coast returning to Hyundai A-League action on Saturday against Newcastle Jets.
“There are some rotations that will probably take place. I-ve got to keep everyone fresh and make sure we rotate match minutes, so everyone has got the match fitness needed to perform at top level,” he explained.
Moss added that he-s excited to test himself against Sanfrecce Head Coach Hajime Moriyasu, a former teammate of ex-Mariners boss, Graham Arnold, who is now plying his trade with J-League side Vegalta Sendai.
“He-s a Club legend at Sanfrecce. I-ve spoken with ‘Arnie- during the week and he has fond memories of playing with him. He-s certainly done a fantastic job since taking over in a managerial role and he-s had a lot of success.”
“The players are looking forward to testing themselves at this top level and I-m looking forward to testing myself in a coaching capacity against a coach who has won the J.League,” he said.
2014 AFC Champions League Matchday 2 (Group F) – Central Coast Mariners FC vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Tuesday 11 March 2014
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 7:30pm
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter! We-ll be using #CCMvSH
Tickets: www.Ticketek.com.au or buy a 3 match pass for just $30 HERE.
