Time is running out for Central Coast Mariners defender Pedj Bojic to regain his spot in the Mariners defence after being dumped for the last game in the finals.
After an outstanding beginning to his first year in the Hyundai A-League, Bojic dropped off the pace as the Mariners were bundled out of the finals with five defeats in succession.
Bojic was at fault several times as the Mariners defence struggled during the most important time of the season.
Now he has a major fight on his hands to get back in the side.
He finally lost his place for the club’s second-leg Minor Semi-Final loss to Queensland.
But after years playing in the lower tiers of English football, Bojic is confident he can fight his way back into the team during the club’s first crack at Asian Champions League glory.
The Mariners kick-start their Asian campaign against the Pohang Steelers at Gosford on March 11.
“I think overall I’ve had a good season but I did lose a bit of concentration during the past few weeks,” he said.
“But I’ve been training hard and I’m sure I can get back in the side. It’s very exciting taking on the best teams in Asia and I want to be part of that. I did well for most of the season so hopefully I’ll get another chance.”
Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna said Bojic was ‘still in the mix’ for Asia.
“For the first half of the season he was our best player so he’s got the ability,” McKinna said.
“He did drop off the pace a bit, he was giving away some goals but we know what he can do.”