Young Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan will come face to face with arguably his most formidable opponent to date tomorrow night against Perth Glory at the Sydney Football Stadium, but the teenage shot stopper insists he’ll be ready.
Young Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan will come face to face with arguably his most formidable opponent to date tomorrow night against Perth Glory at the Sydney Football Stadium, but the teenage shot stopper insists he-ll be ready.
Perth talisman Robbie Fowler boasts a record of 162 goals in 378 matches in the English Premier League, and is known as God to Liverpool fans, but this Saturday night, 18-year-old Ryan, in just his seventh Hyundai A-League appearance, is hopeful of keeping the iconic striker scoreless for another week.
“I was having a joke with my mates during the week that I would be stopping shots from Robbie Fowler but hopefully I will be stopping more than he will be scoring.
“I am really enjoying every game with the boys. I think I-m coming along alright. I started off a bit shaky but every game I seem to be getting better and better,” said Ryan.
Perth has lost its last six matches and will be keen to take all three points against the Central Coast at the SFS.
“They-re obviously going through a bit of a rough patch but I am sure they will come out firing and they will give us everything they have got,” Ryan said.
Former Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich threw Ryan-s name into the mix as a potential future national team goalkeeper this week on the football television show Fox Sports FC, and Ryan feels very privileged just to be mentioned by the former Central Coast Mariners ‘keeper, who suggested he might be a possible longer term replacement for Australian number one Mark Schwarzer.
“Obviously being thrown into the category of ‘keeper is an achievement in itself. It-s one of my ultimate dreams to play for the Socceroos but to be mentioned so young, I am just privileged that Bozza would give me that kind of wrap,” Ryan said.
The Mariners shot-stopper rates last week-s match against the second placed Roar as the biggest game he has ever taken part in.
“It was probably the biggest game of my career so far. I was tested the most and I think I got the money over Reinaldo, he had a couple of one-on-ones and I happened to keep him out, but saying that we lost, and unfortunately for the team to go there and lose isn-t the best result,” said Ryan.
After a disappointing performance in Brisbane last week against an in-form Roar side the Central Coast squad are itching to steal all three points against the Glory on Saturday.
“We need to be picking up as many points as we can to be there at the end of the season, and it-s starting again against Perth in Sydney. Hopefully we can get some Mariners fans to support us so hopefully we can get the three points,” Ryan said.
Ryan hopes that Mariners Members and supporters will make their way to the relocated Mariners- home game at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday evening for the first ever Hyundai A-League double header, to support the boys onto victory with plenty of yellow and navy in the crowd.
“It is only about an hour to an hour and a half drive down to Sydney. Hopefully the fans don-t have too much on their schedule and they can make their way down to support us,” said Ryan.
Head-to-Head: All matches (played 15): Central Coast Mariners wins 9, Perth Glory wins 2 (4 draws)
Tickets for the first ever Hyundai A-League double header this Saturday, 30 October are available by clicking here or by phoning 132 849.
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford) and 6PR (Perth). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
In: Patricio PEREZ (returns from injury), Adam KWASNIK (returns from illness)
Out: John HUTCHINSON (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: Trent SAINSBURY (knee – 1 week), Nik MRDJA (back – 2 weeks), Brad PORTER (knee – 12 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee – season)
Perth Glory squad: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3. Jamie COYNE, 4. Andy TODD, 5. Jamie HARNWELL, 9.Robbie FOWLER, 10. Michael BAIRD, 11. Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 14. Steven McGARRY, 16. Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20. Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21. Mile STERJOVSKI, 22. Anthony SKORICH, 25. Ryan PEARSON
*one to be omitted*
In: 4. Andy TODD (promoted), 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI (promoted)
Out: 7.Jacob BURNS (suspended – 1 game)
Unavailable: 6. Chris COYNE (on loan -4 weeks), 7. Jacob BURNS (suspended – 1 game), 8. Victor SIKORA (Hip – 2 weeks)
Referee: Ryan Shepheard
