The Central Coast Mariners will continue their strong relationship with Capital Football this season, after announcing they will play two Pre-Season Trial matches against defending League Champion and Grand Final winner Canberra FC, and last season’s runner-up Belconnen United next week.
The Central Coast Mariners will continue their strong relationship with Capital Football this season, after announcing they will play two Pre-Season Trial matches against defending League Champion and Grand Final winner Canberra FC, and last season-s runner-up Belconnen United next week.
The two games will be part of a week-long training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, where the side will be put through its paces by new Mariners Head Coach Graham Arnold, in his first official duties with the club, since finishing his commitments with the Qantas Socceroos at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“We needed to organise a trip with top class training facilities and quality opponents, and we-re grateful to Capital Football, the AIS and the two clubs for helping us out,” said Arnold.
“This trip is a vital component of our entire Pre-Season plan so I want to get high quality sessions out of the boys, and I need to see that they are switched on and fully focussed on the first game of the season (against Melbourne Heart on August 5).
“We have a lot of new boys in the squad too, and they have all gelled really well, but Canberra will also be good to bring the boys closer together, and make sure we are all on the same page with where we want this club heading.
“(Argentine import) Patricio Perez will be joining us and I-m really excited by the prospect of him slotting in to the group, it-ll be fantastic to see him training with the boys and becoming part of the squad,” said Arnold.
The Mariners will arrive in Canberra on Sunday before taking on Canberra FC at Deakin on Monday night, and backing up against Belconnen United at McKellar on Wednesday, before returning to the Coast on Friday.
Match Details
Canberra FC vs. Central Coast Mariners
Deakin Stadium, Grose St, Deakin
Monday, 5 July
Kick-off: 6:30pm
Belconnen United vs. Central Coast Mariners
Belconnen Soccer Centre, Walkley Cl, McKellar
Wednesday, 7 July
Kick-off: 6:00pm
