Media Release
Friday, 17 August 2007
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Confidence boost for Mariners ahead of season opener
The Central Coast Mariners have scored a morale boosting 5-0 win over Oceanic challengers New Caledonia at Budgewoi’s Frank Millington Oval today, one week out from their opening match of the new Hyundai A-League season.
First half goals from Nik Mrdja and Adam Kwasnik were added to by Sasho Petrovski, Damien Brown, and Mrdja again in the second stanza, as the Mariners saw off a stubborn challenge from a New Caledonian side that will begin their quest for a 2010 FIFA World Cup berth in eight days time.
The Mariners will take heart from what was an utterly dominant display from minute one to minute ninety, made all the more satisfying after goal scoring contributions from key marksmen Kwasnik, Mrdja and Petrovski.
Furthermore, fit again midfielder Greg Owens played out the entire second half and manufactured several goal scoring chances, while Socceroo icon Tony Vidmar continued his recovery from recent injury and illness concerns with an assured forty-five minutes in central defence.
Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna used all but four of his 22-man squad throughout the course of the match, with only injured defender Paul O’Grady and absent youth internationals Bradley Porter, Andrew Redmayne and Danny Vukovic failing to make an appearance at this uniquely international event.
"The park was in reasonable nick, but it was quite bumpy and sometimes it was hard, but overall, we scored five goals and whether it’s New Caledonia or not, it’s a national team and I don’t think they had one shot," said Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna.
"Everybody did their bit, there was some great football and maybe a bit of over-passing at times because we could, but it was a good hit out before the season."
Mrdja’s opener came about after some solid groundwork by midfielder Andre Gumprecht, who fired in a precise cross from the right hand touchline that was eased home by the Mariners’ number nine.
The Mariners were desperately unlucky not to be two goals to the good by this early stage, after defender Nigel Boogaard underlined his value from set pieces by forcing a pair of desperate goal line clearances from Tom Pondeljak’s corners.
Midfield ace Mile Jedinak was forced from the field with only 19 minutes on the clock due to a slight knee concern, with John Hutchinson introduced as a precautionary measure.
Following his introduction, Hutchinson asserted his influence in central midfield, and along with goal scorer Kwasnik was one of the Mariners’ best throughout the match.
After Mrdja nodded home his second from a Kwasnik cross following Petrovski’s strike early in the second half, substitutes Matt Simon and Brown combined to complete the rout in the 79th minute.
Simon held off several defenders and showcased some delightful touches before providing an inch-perfect centre for Brown, who duly slotted home from close range.
At the other end, Mariners custodian Matthew Trott was a virtual spectator, with sole New Caledonian strike option Poulidor Toto and second half substitute Luther Wahnyamalla failing to register a single shot on target throughout the match.
Indeed, this was an assured, comfortable and controlled performance from the yellow and navy – one that augurs well for their third Hyundai A-League campaign.
"Overall it was good, we’re very happy with the run and very happy that Budgewoi Football Club put this on today, because at short notice they’ve done a very good job," said McKinna.
"Basically everybody is available apart from Paul O’Grady – big Mile Jedinak pulled up sore in the first 15 minutes so we’ll have to see how he is through the week but we’re happy with the squad we’re going to have to pick from for the Sydney game."
The Mariners’ third Hyundai A-League campaign will officially begin in seven days time, when they travel to the Sydney Football Stadium to take on southern rivals Sydney FC on Friday, 24 August. Kick off is at 8pm.
The Marinators, the Mariners’ vocal supporters group, have compiled a list of travel arrangements for supporters wishing to make the short trek south for the opening match of the new season, which can be viewed at
www.marinators.net.
The Mariners will next be in action at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium on Friday, 31 August, when they welcome the challenge of newcomers the Wellington Phoenix in their opening Hyundai A-League home match of 2007/08. Kick off is at 8pm.
Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website –
www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
Both matches will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Sports, and also on Coast FM, 96.3, or via web streaming at
www.coastfm.org.au.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season are now available for purchase online at
www.ccmariners.com.au, or from Rebel Sports outlets at Erina and Tuggerah.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners 1. Matthew Trott (gk), 6. Andre Gumprecht (12. Greg Owens 45’), 8. Dean Heffernan (11. Damien Brown 57’), 9. Nik Mrdja (2. Matt Simon 65’), 10. Tom Pondeljak, 16. Nigel Boogaard (13. Tony Vidmar 45’), 17. Matthew Osman (15. Andrew Clark 59’), 18. Alex Wilkinson, 19. Adam Kwasnik (4. Ian McAndrew 70’), 22. Sasho Petrovski, 23. Mile Jedinak (7. John Hutchinson 19’)
Yellow Cards None
Red Cards None
Goals Mrdja 13’, 61’, Kwasnik 37’, Petrovski 48’, Brown 79’
New Caledonia 1. Jean-Marc Ounemoa (gk), 2. Andre Naxue (22. Wilson Forest 51’), 3. Yohann Mercier (18. Jean-Chrys Xenie 46’), 5. Robert Wayaridri, 8. Jose Hmae (16. Jean-Louis Toto 67’), 9. Iamel Kabeu (24. Luther Wahnyamalla 24’), 10. Pierre Wajoka, 13. Poulidor Toto (12. Patrick Diaike 46’), 14. Adolphe Boaoutho, 15. Marius Mapou (14. Andre Sinedo 62’), 23. Georges Wadrenges
Unused Subs 6. Patrick Drawilo, 7. Fabien Saridjan, 17. Jean-Patrick Wakanumune, 19. Albert Kaqea, 20. Jean-Yann Dounezek, 21. James Hue
Yellow Cards None
Red Cards None
Goals None
Referee Kaine Harmsworth
Ends
