Central Coast boss Graham Arnold is expecting a ‘tough’ test from a determined Gold Coast United outfit when the Mariners meet the Queenslanders in a re-scheduled Hyundai A-League week 17 encounter at Skilled Park on Wednesday.
Despite the off-field distractions currently engulfing the Gold Coast club, the experienced Arnold believes United will prove willing opponents for his side as the Mariners look to increase their lead atop the Hyundai A-League ladder.
“They’re (Gold Coast's players) fighting for their own personal futures,” Arnold said. “Gold Coast in the past have been a difficult team to play against but with the reaction of a new coach in charge with Mike Mulvey…it’s going to be a tough game.”
Regardless of the tumultuous string of circumstances currently surrounding Gold Coast, Arnold emphasised that he would rather concentrate on factors in his control.
“I prefer to focus on ourselves, worry about what we can control and that’s our performance,” he said.
“We’ve got to make sure we put in a good performance on Wednesday night.”
“I stayed positive all [last] week and encouraged the boys to perform the same way they did against Victory, and I felt that we did that against Wellington.
“Our football performance was good, our passing was good, our movement was good, and we created a lot of chances and that’s always a good thing. If you create chances you’re always closer to a win.
“The concern is the day you don’t create chances.”
Following the game against Gold Coast, the Mariners will remain in Surfers Paradise for a mini-camp before travelling to Victoria to face Melbourne Heart.
Sunday’s encounter against Heart is followed by a home clash against Sydney FC on Saturday 3 March, after which the Mariners will commence their 2012 AFC Champions League campaign away to Tianjin TEDA.
“We’ll have a look at Tianjin probably in the middle of next week and get ready for them after we play Sydney FC. The focus is the league, the competition, and getting three points,” Arnold concluded.
Central Coast Mariners: 2. Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Josh ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 9. Bernie IBINI, 10. Adriano PELLEGRINO, 12. Troy HEARFIELD, 14. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Tomas ROGIC, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. John SUTTON, 20. Justin PASFIELD (Gk), 23. Adam KWASNIK, 31. Brody CRANE *one to be omitted*
In: 10. Adriano PELLEGRINO (promoted), 16. Trent SAINSBURY (returns from suspension)
Out: John HUTCHINSON (sick)
Unavailable: 1. Mathew RYAN, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 22. Mustafa AMINI (all Qantas Australian U23 duty)
Gold Coast United: 20. Jerrad TYSON (Gk), 2. Josh BRILLANTE, 3. Michael THWAITE (C), 4. Zac ANDERSON, 5. Kristian REES, 7. Golgol MEBRAHTU, 11. Jake BARKER-DAISH, 14. Ben HALLORAN, 15. Adama TRAORE, 16. Maceo RIGTERS, 17. Chris HAROLD, 21. Daniel SEVERINO, 28. Daniel BOWLES, 31. Daniel BRAGG, 33. Mitch COOPER, 40. Chris O’CONNOR (Gk) *one to be omitted*
In: 3. Michael THWAITE (return from suspension), 16. Maceo RIGTERS (return from ankle injury), 40. Chris O’CONNOR (Gk) (promoted)
Out: 26.Ambes YOSIEF (not selected), 30.Brendan WHITE (Gk) (not selected)
Unavailable: 1. Glen MOSS (groin injury – 4 weeks), 6. Paul BEEKMANS (compassionate leave - indefinite), 9. Joel PORTER (calf – 3 weeks), 10. Tahj MINNIECON (foot injury – 2 weeks), 12. Dylan MACALLISTER (hamstring – 3 weeks), 13. Ante ROZIC (hamstring injury – 1 week), 18. James BROWN (ankle injury – 1 week), 19. Chris BROADFOOT (ankle injury – indefinite), 22. Peter JUNGSCHLAGER (hip injury – 1 week), 23. Dylan MCGOWAN (international duty)
Match Details
Gold Coast United vs. Central Coast Mariners
Wednesday 22 February, Skilled Park, Robina
Kick-off: 7pm local (8pm AEDT)
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter. The official hash tag for the game is #HALgcuccm
Line-ups: Click here to download your complimentary team sheet.