Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John Aloisi is refusing to underestimate the strength of the Central Coast Mariners ahead of tomorrows clash.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John Aloisi is refusing to underestimate the strength of the Central Coast Mariners, labelling Graham Arnold’s squad one of the best in the league ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s showdown.
Both teams share the same record of one win, draw and loss each and sit in the lower half of the table after three rounds this campaign; a position both coaches admit would have been different if their teams had been more cutthroat
Aloisi believed his side deserved more from its hit out with Wellington Phoenix a fortnight ago, while Arnold’s side was unlucky against the Newcastle Jets, and both coaches go into this mouth-watering clash with three points as top priority.
Aloisi is adamant that despite the Mariners stuttering start, they pose a significant danger to his side’s progress and will be raring to go after a loss to the Jets last week.
“We know Mariners are going to be tough game, they-re a good side, but we-re confident if we play the way we know how to play, we can come away with a positive result,” Aloisi said.
“Mariners have got a good squad, no doubt about it; they-ve probably got the best squad along with probably Perth and Brisbane in the league.
“They-ve had players there since day one which has helped them a lot; John Hutchinson is a great player and a good leader, so I don-t buy into to the [talk] that they haven-t got a good squad, they-ve got a very good squad and have a lot of options.”
While Aloisi recognises Hutchinson’s contribution through the midfield, he pinpointed Mariners have match-winners across the park.
“I-m wary of all their players; they have Mile Sterjovski, a proven international that played in a World Cup, up front [Bernie] Ibini is good, while [Daniel] McBreen has been around for years now.
“I know Kwasnik might not play but he-s been there since day one also, they-ve got really good players.”
“Particularly their fullbacks are players that are, given width and opportunity, good at getting balls into the box, they like to get crosses in.
“And everyone knows Rogic, the talented player that he is.”
Mariners have typically have the wood over the Heart, but the most recent match-up saw the Heart secure a 1-0 victory at AAMI Park, where the home side will attempt to replicate that result to stay in touch with the top half of the table.
“It-s a good chance for the whole team to make sure we get back to winning ways and playing the football we want to play,” Aloisi said.
Aloisi will welcome central defender Simon Colosimo back into the squad after his one-match suspension, while captain Fred has recovered from an eye injury that saw him substituted at half-time against Perth Glory last week.
Sunday, 28 October 2012
Melbourne Heart v Central Coast Mariners
Venue: AAMI Park
Kick off: 3:00PM
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Ref 1: Luke Brennan
Assistant Ref 2: George Lakrindis
Fourth official: Shaun Evans
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD and delayed broadcast on Sky Sport 3 (19:15)
Radio broadcast: Updates into ABC National Grandstand
Melbourne Heart squad: 1. Clint Bolton (GK), 2. Michael Marrone, 4. Simon Colosimo, 5. Fred (c), 6. Patrick Gerhardt, 8. Matthew Thompson, 9. Dylan Macallister, 10. Josip Tadic, 11. Richard Garcia, 15. David Williams, 16. Aziz Behich, 17. Jason Hoffman, 18. David Vrankovic, 19. Ben Garuccio, 20. Andrew Redmayne (GK), 21. Steven Gray, 22. Nick Kalmar, 23. Mate Dugandzic
Ins: 4. Simon Colosimo (returns from suspension), 19. Ben Garuccio (returns from international duty).
Outs: 14. Golgol Mebrahtu (fitness – one week), 13. Jonatan Germano (Fitness – undisclosed).
Unavailable: Nil
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Mathew Ryan (Gk), 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Joshua Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Zachary Anderson, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7. John Hutchinson (c), 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 9. Bernie Ibini, 10. Tomas Rogic, 11. Oliver Bozanic, 12. Troy Hearfield, 13. Brent Griffiths, 14. Michael McGlinchey, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 18. Nick Montgomery, 19. Mitchell Duke, 20. Justin Pasfield (Gk), 21. Mile Sterjovski, 23. Adam Kwasnik
Ins: 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 11. Oliver Bozanic, 13. Brent Griffiths, 15. Brad McDonald, 19. Mitchell Duke, 23. Adam Kwasnik (all promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Anthony Caceres (Elbow – 1 week), James Oates (Ankle – 2 months)
