 |
|
'Another game' for Central Coast [Fri Sep 16th, 2005]
Central Coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna says his A-League side has plenty to play for against Sydney FC at Aussie Stadium.
But knocking the competition's "glamour" club down another peg isn't on the agenda.
Sydney FC coach Pierre Littbarski noted how rivals rose to another level against the A-League favourites following last week's upset loss to Newcastle.
But after the Mariners' own shock loss to the New Zealand Knights, McKinna said his charges needed no further reason to get themselves up for the first neighbourly stoush of the season.
"I think maybe some clubs do (specifically target Sydney FC), but we don't, it's just another game for us, it just happens to be that they're our near neighbours and there's going to be a big crowd there," McKinna said.
"I'm sure Sydney will want to redeem themselves and I'm sure our boys do too."
Both teams know each other's games well, and not just because they've met twice already this year in the Club World Championship final and pre-season cup.
Eleven players from the clubs played in the last National Soccer League grand final between Parramatta and Perth in 2004.
Sydney's Clint Bolton, Alvin Ceccoli and Saso Petrovski played alongside the Mariners' Michael Beuchamp, Andre Gumprecht and Paul O'Grady for the Power, while Matthew Bingley, Andrew Packer (Sydney), Tom Pondeljak and Nick Mrdja (Central Coast) claimed victory for the Glory.
Midfielder Pondeljak will be a welcome boost for the Mariners on Friday after missing the past few weeks with a hamstring injury, but Mrdja's bruised knee continues to frustrate McKinna as his side struggles to finish in front of goal.
Mrdja was originally slated to return in the second round, but the club's star striker is now not expected back until round seven.
"That bruising bone is just a pain, it just gets ready in its own time," McKinna said.
Littbarski will also have his own forward dilemma to deal with as he again tries to fit star strikers Dwight Yorke, Petrovski and David Zdrilic into his preferred formation.
Yorke will be the only certain starter of the trio.
The former Manchester United striker was seething after Littbarski started him on the bench against the Jets following his 30-hour flight back from international duty with Trinidad and Tobago.
Yorke took his aggression out on the Jets defence, scoring once and giving Sydney a much-needed lift in the 2-1 loss.
"I think he did change the team when he came on with his play but also the motivation for the players having him on the field," Littbarski said.
"He is a great player and he will be back of course. I felt I didn't want to risk him getting injured for one game last weekend and I was looking at the whole season, which is why he started on the bench."
Littbarski has drafted Australian Under-20 defender Jacob Timpano into the squad for suspended midfielder Steve Corica.
Grieving midfielder Terry McFlynn will also play, with Sydney wearing black arm bands in respect of the Northern Ireland under-21's uncle and aunt, who died in a car crash earlier this week.
In other games this weekend, Perth Glory hosts leader Adelaide United on Saturday night, with Queensland Roar at home to Melbourne Victory and Newcastle playing the New Zealand Knights at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.
The Glory's star import Brian Deane will play his 650th league game on Saturday after a distinguished 20-year career in England and Europe playing for Leeds, Middlesborough and Sheffield United.
AAP
News headlines from around the world.