ADELAIDE vs. MARINERS • SUNDAY 24 MARCH, 2013 • HINDMARSH STADIUM
CENTRAL Coast Mariners Head Coach Graham Arnold insists his side is keen to put a tough week off the park behind them when they tackle Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League Round 26 clash at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday evening.
The majority owners of the Central Coast Mariners FC confirmed on Thursday that an agreement had been reached on a recapitalisation of the club. The agreement sees Mike Charlesworth, an existing major investor, make a substantial fresh investment into the Mariners.
“It-s been a tough week for everybody and no doubt it has been a very tough week for our Chairman, Peter Turnbull,” Arnold said prior to training on Friday. “It-s great that we-ve got new investment and Mike Charlesworth has been generous enough to put his hand up.”
“There is now stability after a tough couple of years since I-ve been here but we just have to move on, we have a big game this Sunday against Adelaide and we are preparing for that.”
Central Coast will be without midfielder Michael McGlinchey and shot stopper Mathew Ryan for Sunday-s encounter with both players away on international duty. Gloveman Justin Pasfield will be promoted to the starting eleven in Ryan-s absence.
“Justin Pasfield gets his chance. He-s had a couple of chances this season when Mat has been away with the (Qantas) Socceroos and he has done a fantastic job for us. Pasfield brings a lot of experience, two years ago he was the number one ‘keeper at North Queensland Fury. He has sat patiently behind Mat for his chance and I-m sure he will do a good job,” he said.
The yellow and navy hold a dominant record over Adelaide United in Australia-s city of churches, having secured four wins and four draws from 11 appearances at the ground and have not tasted defeat against the Reds in a competitive match in over three years.
Arnold expects a tough contest against the Reds, who will be looking to snatch all three points as they chase third spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
“They are a totally different team now under Michael Valkanis” Arnold said. “We played them twice under John Kosmina and they are a completely different side. They are showing a lot of passion like their coach shows. They are still chasing third spot, third spot gets to play against sixth (in the finals), so there is still a lot of interest in the game.”
Arnold praised his team for their effort against Brisbane Roar last Sunday and says he will not be making many changes to the line-up.
“We won-t change too much, obviously Pasfield will come in for Mat Ryan. Mitchell Duke will probably start up front with Daniel McBreen dropping back to number 10. Other than that we will probably have the same side that did very well last Sunday. They showed great character after the mid-week game in Japan,” he said.
Diminutive Adelaide midfielder Marcelo Carrusca will miss the match for the hosts after succumbing to a groin injury, but Arnold believes Valkanis has enough depth in his squad to cover for the loss of the creative Argentine.
“Carrusca is a wonderful talent,” Arnold explained. “I think they will just move Dario Vidosic inside as a number 10 and bring on (Fabio) Ferreira on the right side or (Evan) Kostopoulos. Adelaide has the best squad in the league in terms of their depth. They have got an extremely strong side.”
The last time Central Coast Mariners played Adelaide United was at Gosford-s Bluetongue Stadium in late January. On that day, youngster Mitchell Duke netted a brace off the bench to help the Mariners secure a 3-1 victory over the Reds.
Central Coast Mariners Squad vs. Adelaide United: 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Joshua Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Zachary Anderson, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7. John Hutchinson (c), 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 9. Bernie Ibini, 11. Oliver Bozanic, 13. Brent Griffiths, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Anthony Caceres, 18. Nick Montgomery, 19. Mitchell Duke, 20. Justin Pasfield (Gk), 21. Mile Sterjovski, 29. Nick Fitzgerald, 30. David Bradasevic (Gk) *Four to be omitted
In: 4. Pedj Bojic, 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 15. Brad McDonald, 17. Anthony Caceres, 21. Mile Sterjovski, 30. David Bradasevic (Gk) (all promoted)
Out: 1. Mathew Ryan (Gk) (international duty – Qantas Socceroos), 14. Michael McGlinchey (international duty – New Zealand All Whites)
Unavailable: 23. Adam Kwasnik (knee – season)
Adelaide United vs. Central Coast Mariners – 2012/13 Hyundai A-League Round 26
Sunday 24 March, 2013
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-off: 6:30pm (local); 7:00pm (AEST)
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter! The official match hashtag is #REDSvCCM
