It is all about maintaining the momentum when the Central Coast Mariners take on Wellington in game five of the Hyundai A-League at Westpac Stadium in New Zealand on Friday night.
After a frustrating start to the season where the Mariners picked up only one point from a possible nine, Central Coast scored their first win of the season against Perth at home on Saturday night.
Coach Graham Arnold admitted the performance was not his side’s best, but it was a win that has given last year’s grand finalists plenty of confidence heading into tomorrow night’s contest.
Back to back victories will give the Mariners huge momentum moving forward.
“I’ve watched the Perth match again and there was plenty of positives to come out of it,” Arnold said.
“What we need to do on Friday night is shut the ball down with intensity and build on the second half from last week.”
Arnold has watched all of Wellington’s matches so far this year and knows his team will have to be switched on to pick up another three points, especially at Westpac Stadium.
“They’re a very dangerous team all the time but especially at home, they’ve got a wonderful home record,” Arnold said.
“We’ve got to go in with the same mentality we did last week and be ready for the fight.”
Arnold hinted this week that he is unlikely to make changes after last week’s victory.
Striker Adam Kwasnik missed the Perth match with a minor calf injury and will not be taken to New Zealand.
Meanwhile, veteran Mariners midfielder John Hutchinson is back from a loan spell with Chinese Super League club Chengdu Blades.
Hutchinson resumed training with the Mariners on Wednesday and the foundation player will bolster the club’s already strong midfield.
