Mariners coach dispels 'rumour' of star's exit in 4 words & confirms injury boost for AFC clash

Central Coast Mariners head coach Mark Jackson says star winger Ángel Torres is a certainty to feature in his squad for Thursday night’s clash with Macarthur FC in the AFC Cup after recovering from a groin injury.

Torres has 11 goals and three assists in his debut Isuzu UTE A-League season and after a slow start to life in Gosford has shot into Golden Boot contention as one of the signings of the campaign, but missed his side’s league clash with Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday afternoon with a tendon issue in his groin.

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Jackson stopped short of confirming whether Torres would start or feature on his bench on Thursday night as the Mariners travel to Campbelltown to take on Macarthur in an all A-Leagues clash in the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Final – the very first meeting between two A-Leagues clubs in AFC competition.

“He’s recovered from his injury now,” Jackson said on Wednesday afternoon.

“He’s been carrying a long-term groin injury, which was a tendon issue, so you have to settle it down now and again. So he should be alright to come into the squad.

“He’s 100% to be in the squad, as far as that can be said,” he added. “He’s been carrying it for a little while so the levels of his performance have been high given that.

“It takes a little bit to settle it down and we’ve done that, so whether he’s due to start the game, we’re going to make the decision after the session today and leading into tomorrow.”

During the pre-game press conference, Jackson was asked by a reporter to clarify a “rumour” that Torres had missed Sunday’s win over the Wanderers after refusing to play amid reports of a potential transfer.

Jackson was succinct in his response:

“Never listen to rumours.”

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The Mariners face Macarthur in the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Final this Thursday night, with the victor set to pocket USD $100,000 (AUD ~$153,000) and take a step closer to lifting the continental trophy.

The champions will win USD $1.5million (AUD $2.3million), with the runners-up collecting USD $750,000 (AUD $1.14m).

Either Macarthur of the Mariners will progress to to play India’s Odisha, winner of the South Zone, in the Inter Zone Semi-Final, with Taichung Futuro FC and FC Abdysh-Ata of Kyrgyzstan facing off in the other Inter Zone Semi-Final.

The winners of the Inter Zone Semi-Finals will then face off in a two-legged Inter Zone Final. Finally, the winner across those two legs will progress to face the winner of the West Zone Final in a showpiece event on May 5 to crown the AFC Cup champions.

And in the event Macarthur or Central Coast win the AFC Cup, they will receive an indirect slot into the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite via the preliminary rounds.

Macarthur’s Jake Hollman joined head coach Mile Sterjovski in addressing the media on Wednesday, and the Bulls midfielder revelled in the opportunity to take on a nearby rival in such a high-stakes affair.

“I’d say both teams are in form, both are doing very well in the league and both have scored freely in the AFC Cup, so I think it will be a very exciting game,” Hollman said.

“I think the main difference (to previous AFC Cup games) is we are very well equipped on how the Mariners want to play in comparison to some of the other Asian teams we’ve been facing.

“I think it will make for a really hostile game, because both teams know what’s on the line. It’s very important for both clubs to win this one.

“It’s very exciting for the club, the players and staff involved. It’s a chance to win the AFC Cup but also put ourselves in the Champions League next year which is very important. It’s a goal we’ve probably all set.

“And just the pride aspect as well, of beating our neighbours up the coast and getting a win over them.