Mariners out for revenge against Sydney FC

Hyundai A-League Match Preview

Central Coast Mariners will be out for revenge this Sunday against Sydney FC, after the last time the two sides met saw the Gosford based side lose narrowly in the inaugural A-League grand final back in March.

The grand final replay promises to be a big encounter with both sides keen to kick off the A-League season with a bang, and with the Mariners keen to erase the memories of defeat after arguably dominating much of the decider last term.

Sydney FC are boosted by the return of Dwight Yorke from injury, and the news that the six Socceroos who took part in last week’s defeat of Kuwait will also take part, with Steve Corica, Alex Brosque, Mark Milligan, Clint Bolton and Alvin Ceccoli all returning after missing out against the Jets in the playoff for third and fourth last Saturday.

“Dwight has done everything expected of him this week and some extra training sessions so he is fit and putting his hand up to play,” Sydney boss Terry Butcher told a-league.com.au.

Sydney have been in solid pre-season form, falling narrowly to pre-season cup champions Adelaide in the semi-final, and Butcher faces a selection dilemma come Sunday given that only Ruben Zadkovich and Jacob Timpano remain unavailable through injury.

The Mariners themselves have enjoyed another strong pre-season campaign, reaching the Cup final only to lose on penalties to Adelaide. The Gosford side will welcome back Paul O’Grady from suspension and are boosted by the return of Tom Pondeljak from a lengthy injury.

Nick Mrdja who has been out for over 12 months with a serious knee injury will be disappointed not to make the bench for this Sunday’s match, with the striker hopeful of being fit for the Central Coast’s first home match against the Queensland Roar on September 9.

Likely Team Line-ups:

Sydney FC: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Iain FYFE, 3. Alvin CECCOLI, 4. Mark RUDAN, 6. Ufuk TALAY, 7. Robbie MIDDLEBY, 9. David ZDRILIC, 10. Steve CORICA, 11. Sasho PETROVSKI, 12. David CARNEY, 13. Jeremy BROCKIE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN, 16. Mark MILLIGAN, 19 Dwight YORKE (captain), 20. Justin PASFIELD, 21. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY. (Two to be omitted).

Central Coast Mariners: 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 2. Wayne O'SULLIVAN, 3. Paul O'GRADY, 4. Noel SPENCER (captain), 5. Bradley PORTER, 6.Andre GUMPRECHT, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Jamie McMASTER, 10. Tom PONDELJAK, 11. Damien BROWN, 12. Stewart PETRIE, 13. Tony VIDMAR, 14. Vuko TOMASEVIC, 15. Andrew CLARK, 18. Alex WILKINSON, 19. Adam KWASNIK, 30. Matthew TROTT (gk). (Two to be omitted).

A-League Round 1

Sydney FC vs Central Coast Mariners
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Sunday Afternoon, August 27
Kick off: 5:00pm (local/AEST)

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