WHAT a week of football coming up on the coast!
WHAT a week of football coming up on the coast!
Two top-of-the-table A-League games at Fortress Bluetongue coupled with our opening Asian Champions League group game against South Korea-s Suwon Bluewings sandwiched between (also at home).
You wouldn-t want to be anywhere else and I know there is a dressing room choc-full of players champing at the bit to meet the challenge head on.
After a disappointing performance by our standards in last weekend-s 2-1 loss to Perth over in the west now behind us, we will be looking for a reaction against Melbourne Victory tomorrow night.
Victory themselves are coming off the back of a loss at home to Western Sydney last start so there will be two teams with so much to play for taking to the pitch.
It-s just the way we like at the Mariners – no favors asked, none given!
No one needs motivating for games like these.
Victory, Western Sydney and ourselves have all proven we are worthy title contenders this season and the fact we all play each other over a massive fortnight that started last weekend with the Victory-Wanderers clash is fantastic for the league and kicks off in earnest the business end of the season with a bang.
The next two months is what every footballer and coach works their backsides off all year for – to be involved in the big games.
After starting so brightly and then going ahead 1-0 last weekend against Perth in a game that saw Alistair Edwards mark his debut as coach of Glory, it was disappointing to take our foot off the pedal and concede two goals to lose the match.
It-s a point Graham Arnold made no secret of this week and has also focused on the need to punish teams when we have the opportunity.
That killer instinct – which is definitely there with this group of players as evidenced by our goal difference – is what will be the difference between a good season and a great season.
It-s a big week for the club of that there is no doubt but the focus of the players and the coaching staff is squarely on the Melbourne Victory game.
It-s a blockbuster and one we have prepared superbly for. The players returned from Perth, shook themselves off and applied themselves brilliantly at training this week.
While we are where we are there is no need to look in the rear vision mirror when there is a windscreen directly in front of us.
Physically and tactically the players are 100% ready for this game and I have to say that mentally there has been a real steely resolve this week – something no doubt hardened by last weekend-s showing in Perth.
The successful teams in world football seize their opportunities and don-t let go for life nor money and we fully intend setting the tempo of the game tomorrow night.
It-s our place, our supporters and our region and no one comes here and walks away with points!
Kick-off at Bluetongue is 7.45pm and make sure you get there early to watch the Mariners National Youth League side fight it out with Melbourne Victory for the NYL title from 4.45pm.
Central Coast Mariners vs. Melbourne Victory – Hyundai A-League Round 22
Saturday 23 February, 2013
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 7:45pm (local)
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match.
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter! The official match hash-tag is #CCMvMV
Television: LIVE on Fox Sports 1 & 1HD
Radio: LIVE on Coast FM (96.3FM locally or streamed online at www.coastfm.org.au). LIVE on selected ABC frequencies and online.
2013 AFC Champions League Matchday 1 – Central Coast Mariners (AUS) vs. Suwon Bluewings (KOR)
Wednesday 27 February, 2013
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 7:00pm
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match!
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter. The official hash-tag is #CCMvSB
