The Central Coast Mariners’ Hyundai A-League 2008/09, Round 11 clash against AFC Champions League finalists Adelaide United has been re-scheduled from Saturday, 8 November to Saturday, 15 November, due to Adelaide’s playoff dates with Gamba Osaka for the biggest prize in Asian club football.
The Central Coast Mariners- Hyundai A-League 2008/09, Round 11 clash against AFC Champions League finalists Adelaide United has been re-scheduled from Saturday, 8 November to Saturday, 15 November, due to Adelaide-s playoff dates with Gamba Osaka for the biggest prize in Asian club football.
Following consultation between the Mariners, Adelaide United and Football Federation Australia, it was decided to be in the best interests of the Hyundai A-League that the aforementioned fixture be postponed by one week, so to allow Adelaide the best possible chance of AFC Champions League success.
Adelaide United are set to meet with J.League heavyweights Gamba Osaka in Japan on Wednesday, 5 November and again in the South Australian capital on Wednesday, 12 November, with the re-scheduled fixture now allowing Australia-s representatives an unfettered preparation for two of the most significant club fixtures in Australian football history.
The Mariners will now take on Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday, 15 November, with kick off at 7.30pm.
Furthermore, the Mariners- National Youth League (NYL) side will take on Adelaide United in Round 7 of the NYL as a curtain raiser to this fixture, with kick off at 4.45pm. Gates at Bluetongue Stadium will open at 4.30pm.
The Mariners- previously scheduled NYL fixture against the Queensland Roar, originally set for Saturday, 15 November at Perry Park, will be re-scheduled at a time and date to be confirmed.
“We must firstly congratulate Adelaide United for their outstanding achievement in reaching the final of the AFC Champions League, a feat that is on par with any that has been set throughout four seasons of the Hyundai A-League,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
“Along with the rest of the country, we at the Mariners hope to see Adelaide succeed at this final stage and after careful consideration, have decided in consultation with Adelaide and Football Federation Australia to postpone our Round 11 fixture by one week to give Aurelio Vidmar and his team the best possible chance of bringing the AFC Champions League trophy back to Australia.
“We thank each of our Members, supporters and corporate partners for their understanding of this unique situation and urge them to join us in wishing Adelaide United all the very best in Osaka and then at Hindmarsh Stadium in the coming weeks.
“We then look forward to welcoming Adelaide back home with a match at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday, 15 November that will surely be a blockbuster clash against, potentially and hopefully, the champions of Asia.”
All tickets purchased for the initial date of this fixture are still valid for the re-scheduled date of Saturday, 15 November.
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League campaign continues at the Sydney Football Stadium home of southern rivals Sydney FC on Saturday, 1 November. Kick off is at 7pm.
The Mariners will return to their Bluetongue Stadium home on Saturday, 15 November, when they host AFC Champions League finalists Adelaide United. Kick off is at 7.30pm.
Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
