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Central Coast Mariners coach Nick Montgomery says it will take some time for his Socceroos contingent to return to their best after a 2-1 upset loss to local rivals Newcastle Jets at Central Coast Stadium.
The Mariners had more than one reason to get up for Sunday's game: They were hosting an F3 Derby for their first game since mid-November and had repatriated World Cup stars Jason Cummings, Garang Kuol and Danny Vukovic.
But Central Coast looked worryingly flat for key periods of the game and were made to pay by a Newcastle side that now surges to fifth place on the ladder.
Aside from a Cummings goal that drew the scores level in the second half, the Socceroos had limited impact on the contest.
"No excuses but they all came back pretty jet-lagged and all seemed to have a bit of a stomach bug," said Montgomery.
"Jason said then running, he felt his stomach was going to go.
"It's going to take them a while to get back. None of them played much game time (at the World Cup) so it was really just three weeks of training.
"We had three or four games in that time so we've got to get them up to speed now for a big season ahead."
Central Coast flew out of the blocks and almost scored inside 30 seconds, when Brazilian Marco Tulio hit the right upright.
It was to be the Mariners' best chance for the rest of the half as the Jets took control and had the opener from a Daniel Stynes cross to Trent Buhagiar in the 12th minute.
In the first half, the Jets did a great job on Cummings, who sprayed his first clear-cut opportunity high of the goal in the 43rd minute.
The Mariners looked more like themselves in the second half and managed to turn pressure into a goal just after the break.
The ball deflected from a Jets defender over to Cummings and the Scottish-born cult hero stretched a foot out to push it slowly into the goal.
The 7,078-strong Gosford crowd gave Cummings a standing ovation and did the same when he was subbed out seven minutes later, replaced by fellow Socceroo Garang Kuol.
Kuol's injection into the game usually yields quick results for the Mariners but Newcastle were next to score, against the run of play, when the two Georgian Jets combined from a corner to exploit some poorly-constructed Mariner defence.
Beka Dartsmelia curved the ball to Beka Mikeltadze, who had an alarming amount of time and space to head the ball straight past Vukovic.
Vukovic punched the woodwork in frustration, aware of his teammates' lapse in concentration, and the Mariners were down 2-1.
Josh Nisbet looked to have equalised when he curled the ball into the goal from the edge of the box but VAR intervened and spotted a Michael Ruhs hand-ball in the lead-up.
Kuol has become known for his late moments of magic but neither he nor his teammates could close the gap despite the Mariners dominating possession as the game drew to a close.
"It was the perfect way to start (after the World Cup break)," Jets coach Arthur Papas said.
"The team has strong unity and a really great attitude to really want to work and grow together."
Courtesy Australian Associated Press
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https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4b021tgb9zubj1t/AACeOqTbXvB3PQVk8rIaqC_ua?dl=0
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CENTRAL COAST MARINERS CONFIRM FIRST SIGNING AFTER OFFICIALLY BEING ACCEPTED INTO LIBERTY A-LEAGUE WOMEN’S COMPETITION
The Central Coast Mariners are pleased to announce the first signing for our A-League Women’s side, with the team officially set to enter the Liberty A-League Women’s competition for the 2023/24 season.
Local forward Annalise Rasmussen, a long-time women’s academy member, has become the first signing for the club heading into the side’s first season.
Her progression into the Liberty A-League Women’s side symbolises the opportunity that will now be available for youth players on the Coast. Females in the region will have a direct pathway from academy prospects to Liberty A-League Women’s players, and eventually National team stars.
Rasmussen’s deal comes off the back of a big week for the Mariners Liberty A-League Women’s side. Football Australia’s Board has officially approved the licence, meaning that the team will enter the league for the 2023/24 season.
Football Australia’s CEO, James Johnson said:
“Football Australia is excited to see a team from the Central Coast return to participate at the national level in the Liberty A-League Women competition.”
“As we look ahead to the CommBank Matildas playing against Thailand in November and the FIFA Women’s World Cup™️ in 2023, this is a once in a generation opportunity to supercharge women’s football in Australia. A Mariners team for a well-supported Central Coast region will demonstrate to young women and girls what dreams are possible and provide a platform into our national teams.”
The side will also be playing every match at the home of the Mariners, Central Coast Stadium. This is in line with an upcoming agreement with Venues Live.
Following years of success with the club’s female academy, the Mariners inclusion in the Liberty A-League Women’s competition now marks a move to provide female footballers with an opportunity to become CommBank Matildas while still staying on the Central Coast.
Central Coast Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp is pleased to finally see the Mariners football ecosystem completed, after what has been a long road to have an A-League women’s side enter the competition.
“This means a lot to not only the Central Coast Mariners, not only young footballers on the Coast, but all female athletes to show that there is professional careers and pathways that can be had. It is so exciting to get to this point finally,” he said.
“Every young footballer on the Central Coast can now see a pathway from grassroots all the way through to the national teams without having to leave the Coast.
“It’s tremendously amazing to have another team of community ambassadors to inspire the next generation. It is so special and a big part of what this club means.”
Mielekamp is also excited by the prospect of the women’s side playing their home matches at Central Coast Stadium, which has seen renovations completed to make it an optimal ground for female football.
“Playing at Central Coast Stadium was integral to everything that we as a club are passionate about. That is what we do for the boys, we produce Socceroos, and now our task is to produce Matildas,” he said.
“We can only do that if we give them the same opportunities, our facilities and expertise are there, so to be playing at Central Coast Stadium, which we deem as the best stadium in Australia for female professional football, was an absolute must.
“Designated change rooms that have been put in just for this moment, an unbelievable surface with stunning views. Our club and this stadium have got things that other clubs just can't buy.”
Following Football Australia’s official approval, A-Leagues Commissioner Greg O’Rourke said:
“There has never been a more exciting time for women’s football in Australia with the expanded and extended Liberty A-League Women, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand™ taking place nine months from now.
“We have accelerated our investment to ensure a legacy for women and girls playing and supporting football in Australia and are delighted to see Central Coast become our 12th team in the Liberty A-League Women.”
The Mariners are also debuting the Julie Dolan scholarship, which will support a female footballer associated with the Central Coast academy in their academic journey.
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Below are the audio and video links for today's media with Josh Nisbet and Nick Montgomery.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zf0do31i5bun73p/AAAPeb45VlyLEkDCklcVgi7na?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wy5w780huupovki/AAAcdST1DFp-fooAJPE01mLCa?dl=0
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VUKOVIC TO CAPTAIN MARINERS FOR THE 22/23 SEASON
Following his return to the Coast this season, the Central Coast Mariners are pleased to announce that goalkeeper Danny Vukovic will be the Mariners club captain for the 2022/23 season.
The goalkeeper has played five seasons for the Mariners spanning from 2005 until 2010, totalling 104 appearances for the club. He replaces club legend Matt Simon, who yesterday announced his retirement from professional football.
Vukovic’s return comes as the Mariners look to continue their bright past two seasons, which has seen us make consecutive finals appearances.
Having had stints playing around the world in countries including Turkey, Japan, Belgium and the Netherlands, Vukovic returns to the Mariners with a wealth of experience.
He has also featured in Australia’s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
His leadership will be vital for a Mariners squad filled with exciting young players prepared to take the competition by storm.
Receiving the armband is a dream come true for Vukovic, with the captaincy marking his return to the club who gave him his A-League debut.
“It is nice, a role that I don’t take lightly. I want to be a positive influence on my teammates and the club, and I am just looking forward to it all kicking off on Saturday,” he said.
“It is a young squad and I think I bring experience, both playing football in the A-League but also overseas. Wherever I can help and guide the players is what I want to do.”
Head coach Nick Montgomery is excited to have the veteran shot-stopper back on the Coast, believing that his wealth of experience will be vital this season.
“It wasn’t really a hard choice with the news of Simmo’s retirement. The fact that we are a young team, bringing Vuka back wasn’t just for him to be a great goalkeeper, it’s also for his leadership,” he said.
“As soon as he came in, he brought the presence that we need and having that captain at the back, a goalkeeper as experienced as Vuka was an obvious choice and one that was popular in the dressing room.”