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Exclusive: Central Coast Mariners To Make History Against Pohang Steelers In ACL
The Central Coast gaffer spoke exclusively to Goal.com about his side's historic first Asian Champions League campaign.
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Mar 8, 2009 4:50:10 AM
Central Coast Mariners manager Lawrie McKinna believes “anything can happen” if his side beat the Pohang Steelers in their historic Asian Champions League clash on Wednesday evening.
The A-League club will compete in the competition for the first time in their history when they take on the Korean giants at the Bluetongue Stadium, where they will look to follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Adelaide United.
Last season United embarked on a stunning run to the ACL final, though the Central Coast boss is looking at more realistic targets for his club.
“If we get off to a good start against Pohang anything can happen,” McKinna told Goal.com.
“When the team’s playing full of confidence like Adelaide was in the Champions League, anything can happen.
“I’m not going to say we’re going to do as well but I only hope we could do half as well as Adelaide did and make the Central Coast proud.”
The Central Coast – not traditionally a football area – has been one of the success stories since the inception of the A-League in 2004, the club pioneering community programs and the establishment of a tangible youth system.
Despite their relative lack of size both as a club and region, crowd numbers have been consistent and McKinna has guided them to two Grand Final appearances and an A-League Premiership.
Their first appearance in Asia’s premier club competition is a landmark moment for the club and its community, with both business and football opportunities sure to be presented by huge television audiences and exposure to some of the biggest clubs and companies within the region.
The club recently prepared for Wednesday night’s match with a tour of China, where they faced promoted Super League outfit Jiangsu Sainty and champions Shandong Luneng, a match that was shown live on national television.
McKinna continued, “We definitely competed well, we used all our substitutes, mixed and matched and its been a great taste of Asia and what to expect.
“We definitely feel as though we can get in there and compete.
“We just need to get some confidence; the last three A-League games and two finals games we could have won but it was just that lack of confidence.”
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
The A-League club will compete in the competition for the first time in their history when they take on the Korean giants at the Bluetongue Stadium, where they will look to follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Adelaide United.
Last season United embarked on a stunning run to the ACL final, though the Central Coast boss is looking at more realistic targets for his club.
“If we get off to a good start against Pohang anything can happen,” McKinna told Goal.com.
“When the team’s playing full of confidence like Adelaide was in the Champions League, anything can happen.
“I’m not going to say we’re going to do as well but I only hope we could do half as well as Adelaide did and make the Central Coast proud.”
The Central Coast – not traditionally a football area – has been one of the success stories since the inception of the A-League in 2004, the club pioneering community programs and the establishment of a tangible youth system.
Despite their relative lack of size both as a club and region, crowd numbers have been consistent and McKinna has guided them to two Grand Final appearances and an A-League Premiership.
Their first appearance in Asia’s premier club competition is a landmark moment for the club and its community, with both business and football opportunities sure to be presented by huge television audiences and exposure to some of the biggest clubs and companies within the region.
The club recently prepared for Wednesday night’s match with a tour of China, where they faced promoted Super League outfit Jiangsu Sainty and champions Shandong Luneng, a match that was shown live on national television.
McKinna continued, “We definitely competed well, we used all our substitutes, mixed and matched and its been a great taste of Asia and what to expect.
“We definitely feel as though we can get in there and compete.
“We just need to get some confidence; the last three A-League games and two finals games we could have won but it was just that lack of confidence.”
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
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|
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