Post by Andy on Mar 17, 2007 14:24:38 GMT 10
From www.ccariners.com.au
Mariners keeping busy during off-season
Thursday, 15 March, 2007 - 2:30PM
Matt Simon
Matt Simon
As many as six Central Coast Mariners squad members from 2006/07 have been involved in competitive matches over the past week and, in the case of goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, in the green and gold of Australia.
Vukovic played another ninety minutes for Australia at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium last night, as Australia’s Olympic Games hopefuls (Under 23’s) drew 1-1 with Jordan in their second Group D qualification fixture.
Vukovic was helpless to prevent the visiting Jordanians from equalising late in the match after Melbourne Victory midfielder Kristian Sarkies had given the home side the lead 13 minutes into the second half.
Ahmad Alzugheir, by virtue of his stunning 30-metre strike with five minutes to play, was the hero for the unheralded Jordanians, whose FIFA world ranking at senior level is some 41 places below Australia.
Jordan’s late snatch and grab was a gutting blow for Mariners custodian Vukovic, who in the absence of regular Under 23’s captain Mark Milligan, was given the honour of skippering his country for the first time.
The one all draw maintains Australia’s tentative hold of second place after two rounds of second phase qualifying, with Vukovic and his teammates placed four points behind runaway group leaders Saudi Arabia, who have recorded back to back wins from their opening encounters.
The highflying Saudi’s are next up for Australia, who will continue their quest for Olympic Games qualification with a trip to Riyadh on Wednesday, 28 March.
Locally, the Central Coast Lightning’s Mariners contingent were again impressive for their adopted club at the weekend, each turning in exciting performances to inspire the NSW Winter Super League outfit to a 3-0 triumph over Fraser Park.
Nigel Boogaard, Bradley Porter, Matt Simon and Matthew Trott each played full games for the Central Coast’s flagship team at state level, with Boogaard and Simon adding their names to the score sheet with strikes in the 76th and 80th minutes respectively.
The Lightning now top the NSW Winter Super League table after two rounds, having scored seven goals and conceded none.
Boogaard, Porter, Simon and Trott will again be on show at Pluim Park, Lisarow this Sunday, 18 March, when they take on the Northern Tigers. Kick off is at 6pm.
Interstate, Central Coast youngster James Holland played a full game for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in their Victorian Premier League clash against the Springvale White Eagles, won by the AIS 1-0.
The AIS, a new addition to what is arguably Australia’s most competitive domestic league below the Hyundai A-League, have now recorded one win and one loss from their opening two matches and will next take on the sixth placed Whittlesea Zebras this coming Monday, 19 March.
Mariners keeping busy during off-season
Thursday, 15 March, 2007 - 2:30PM
Matt Simon
Matt Simon
As many as six Central Coast Mariners squad members from 2006/07 have been involved in competitive matches over the past week and, in the case of goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, in the green and gold of Australia.
Vukovic played another ninety minutes for Australia at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium last night, as Australia’s Olympic Games hopefuls (Under 23’s) drew 1-1 with Jordan in their second Group D qualification fixture.
Vukovic was helpless to prevent the visiting Jordanians from equalising late in the match after Melbourne Victory midfielder Kristian Sarkies had given the home side the lead 13 minutes into the second half.
Ahmad Alzugheir, by virtue of his stunning 30-metre strike with five minutes to play, was the hero for the unheralded Jordanians, whose FIFA world ranking at senior level is some 41 places below Australia.
Jordan’s late snatch and grab was a gutting blow for Mariners custodian Vukovic, who in the absence of regular Under 23’s captain Mark Milligan, was given the honour of skippering his country for the first time.
The one all draw maintains Australia’s tentative hold of second place after two rounds of second phase qualifying, with Vukovic and his teammates placed four points behind runaway group leaders Saudi Arabia, who have recorded back to back wins from their opening encounters.
The highflying Saudi’s are next up for Australia, who will continue their quest for Olympic Games qualification with a trip to Riyadh on Wednesday, 28 March.
Locally, the Central Coast Lightning’s Mariners contingent were again impressive for their adopted club at the weekend, each turning in exciting performances to inspire the NSW Winter Super League outfit to a 3-0 triumph over Fraser Park.
Nigel Boogaard, Bradley Porter, Matt Simon and Matthew Trott each played full games for the Central Coast’s flagship team at state level, with Boogaard and Simon adding their names to the score sheet with strikes in the 76th and 80th minutes respectively.
The Lightning now top the NSW Winter Super League table after two rounds, having scored seven goals and conceded none.
Boogaard, Porter, Simon and Trott will again be on show at Pluim Park, Lisarow this Sunday, 18 March, when they take on the Northern Tigers. Kick off is at 6pm.
Interstate, Central Coast youngster James Holland played a full game for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in their Victorian Premier League clash against the Springvale White Eagles, won by the AIS 1-0.
The AIS, a new addition to what is arguably Australia’s most competitive domestic league below the Hyundai A-League, have now recorded one win and one loss from their opening two matches and will next take on the sixth placed Whittlesea Zebras this coming Monday, 19 March.
