EXPERT Mariners goalkeeping coach John Crawley has backed 27-year-old shot stopper Justin Pasfield to make an “easy transition” into the Central Coast first eleven when he takes to the field against Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium this Saturday.
Justin Pasfield saves in training. Image: John Dewberry
EXPERT Mariners goalkeeping coach John Crawley has backed 27-year-old shot stopper Justin Pasfield to make an “easy transition” into the Central Coast first eleven when he takes to the field against Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium this Saturday.
The highly regarded Pasfield has made six Hyundai A-League appearances for the yellow and navy since joining the Club from North Queensland Fury in 2011.
With young, gun goalkeeper Mathew Ryan set to travel with the Qantas Socceroos to Hong Kong for the forthcoming East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) East Asian Cup qualifying tournament, Pasfield is all but certain to chalk up another match in the yellow and navy this weekend.
“He-s going well, he-s going good,” Crawley said of Pasfield-s training form.
“It-s not as if he-s being thrown in due to injury or suspension, we-ve known this for quite a while and we-ve been gearing up slowly, so he-s ready to go.”
“Justin knows his role, he knows the role of the team, and he-s ready to slot in,” he said.
Widely considered to be one of the sharpest goalkeeping minds in Australia, Crawley is well placed to judge Pasfield-s current form.
The former Colo-Colo custodian said Pasfield possesses all the attributes to assist the Mariners to another structured display against John Kosmina-s team on Saturday.
“He can play out well from the back, he-s got a good range of passing that suits our style of football, he-s a good shot stopper, and he-s very good under high balls,” Crawley said.
“He hasn-t played (Hyundai A-League) for a little bit but we-re sure he-ll do a great job.”
With Pasfield starting for the Mariners against the Reds, an opportunity has opened for the club-s National Youth League (NYL) ‘keeper David Bradasevic to gain an insight into life as a Hyundai A-League professional.
While Bradasevic trains regularly with the Central Coast Mariners first team squad, on Saturday he will take his place on the bench for the first time in Australia-s top flight.
As with all substitutes, Bradasevic will need to be ready for action should he be required.
“David played a trial game with us down at Bankstown and he seemed to slot in straight away quite well,” Crawley said.
“It-s good for our youth league boys to get a bit of a sniff of first team football, albeit on the bench.”
“He-s the next one in line, and it-s a good opportunity for the young boys to take their place in the first team environment and experience matchday conditions.”
Adelaide United are likely to be missing their first choice gloveman Eugene Galekovic for the top-of-the-table round 9 contest.
Like Ryan, Galekovic is due to travel to Hong Kong as Holger Osieck-s Qantas Socceroos aim to qualify for their first ever EAFF East
Asian Cup finals competition.
Kosmina will select his starting goalkeeper from either 17-year-old Australian youth international Paul Izzo, or 18-year-old custodian John Hall.
Crawley has seen Izzo play for the Qantas Young Socceroos in the past, and described him as an emerging talent in his position.
The Mariners coaching staff are alert to the fact that for either Izzo or Hall, Saturday will mark their Hyundai A-League debut.
“It will be a challenge for them, he said. “Playing first team football is a pressure situation, so we are mindful that one of them will be going in goals and we-ll be doing our best to put them under pressure.”
Central Coast Mariners vs. Adelaide United – 2012/13 Hyundai A-League Round 9
Saturday 1 December, 2012
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 5:30pm (local)
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter! The official match hash-tag for Sunday-s game is #CCMvREDS
