It’s almost time for our annual New Year’s Eve fixture at Central Coast Stadium and we caught up with Head Coach Mike Mulvey. Kick-off against Perth Glory is 7pm.
After falling narrowly to the Newcastle Jets, we turn to our New Year’s Eve fixture for our first three points of the campaign. It will be a tough battle as we host Tony Popovic’s table-topping Glory.
For those looking for a positive omen Perth have won just two of their last 20 visits to Central Coast Stadium whilst only one of the last 10 New Year’s Eve games have been won by the away team on the day.
After Sunday’s training session, Ben Kennedy has been cleared from his quad injury and is eligible for selection against Perth.
Mulvey in the media
CLICK HERE to watch Mike Mulvey’s full press conference
“It’s New Year’s Eve, it’s about time we gave the fans something to cheer for. We came so close in our last game but close enough is not good enough and we need to win games. We look forward to our next opportunity to do that on New Year’s Eve.
“I look at the way we’re training and the way we need to perform against a team that’s very well drilled. They are playing with a lot of confidence and you could say we’re lacking a bit of confidence. We need to get that. The lads are putting in a shift every game and the tide will turn soon.
“Confidence comes from many things, it comes from the crowd. The crowd were fantastic in the first half against Newcastle, we played some very good football and deserved to be 1-0 in front at half time. But we hit a wall in the second half, we had an opportunity to go 2-0 up and we didn’t take that, then Newcastle go and score up the other end.
? FREE Race Day
? FREE finger food [Members]
⚽ #CCMvPER
? Fireworks
? Adults , kids or bring the family for !Here’s your guide to the Coast’s biggest New Year’s Eve party: https://t.co/SOg3QBNqpg #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/u94LsE23Ec
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) December 30, 2018
“It sapped the energy out of the stadium. In that moment, we need to refocus and be awake in those key moments.
“This team for so long has not won games. We understand that situation and we’re trying to change that. When we were in front against Newcastle we should have been thinking we can win this game 1-0, or let’s go and get that second goal.
“For that first goal, we switched off for a second and that’s how quickly a game can turn. It’s really important that we are awake in those moments.
“In that moment, the players need to understand that the most important thing in your life, right now is to defend that corner. And then go onto the next one.
“We need to give the fans something to cheer about. At times they are right to have a go at us, but the lads are giving everything they’ve got – it’s just in those key moments we really need to switch on,” Mulvey said.
Opta Stat Attack
- The results are split at three wins apiece in the last six encounters between the Mariners and Glory, however Glory have won the last two on the bounce
- Perth have recorded just two wins in 20 visits to Central Coast Stadium, failing to score a goal in their last three game at this venue
- Tony Popovic has lost just twice in his 11 meetings with the Mariners
- Perth Glory remain winless in A-League fixtures on New Year’s Eve, while only one of the last 10 New Year’s Eve games have been won by the away team on the day
- The Mariners are winless in their past 15 league games, their longest winless streak in the A-League
- Only Sydney FC have earned more points in away games than Perth Glory, though Perth have played two games fewer
- Matt Simon is committing 3.25 fouls per 90 minutes this season, more than anyone to have amassed 500+ minutes of action this campaign
- Perth Glory have scored 10 goals via Australian players this season, more than any other team
⚽ + ? + ? = NYE pic.twitter.com/CogT0KP6hS
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) December 28, 2018
Squad lists
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 3.Jack CLISBY, 4.Jake McGING, 5.Antony GOLEC, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Michael McGLINCHEY, 10.Tommy OAR, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Adam PEARCE (gk), 13.Aiden O’NEILL, 15.Kye ROWLES, 16.Josh MACDONALD,18.Matt MILLAR, 19.Matt SIMON (c), 20.Kalifa CISSE, 22.Jacob MELLING, 23.Mario SHABOW, 25.Jordan MURRAY.
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 10.Tommy OAR (return from injury), 20.Kalifa CISSE (promoted)
Outs: 24.Joe GAUCI (gk)
Unavailable: 21.Corey GAMEIRO (calf), 44.Ross McCORMACK (knee) & 6.Tom HIARIEJ (calf injury)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2. Alex GRANT, 3.Jason DAVIDSON, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 9.Andy KEOGH, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Tomislav MRCELA, 17.Diego CASTRO, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 27.JUANDE, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 88.Neil KILKENNY. **two to be omitted**
Ins: 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC (returns from injury), 17.Diego CASTRO (returns from injury), 2. Alex Grant (returns from injury), 22.Fabio FERREIRA (promoted)
Outs: 4.Shane LOWRY (suspended) Chris IKONOMIDIS (International Duty)
Unavailable: Nil
Match Details
Monday, 31 December 2018
Hyundai A-League Round 10
Match: Central Coast Mariners vs. Perth Glory
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 7:00pm (AEDT)
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA
Hash-tag: Join the match conversation using #CCMvPER & #CCMFC
