Reigning Isuzu UTE A-League Champions Central Coast Mariners will begin their quest to win a first ever Australia Cup tonight when they take on Heidelberg United.
Fresh off winning an historic treble last season which featured the Premier’s Plate, Championship trophy and AFC Cup, Mark Jackson’s Mariners will fancy their chances of going deep in this year’s competition.
The Mariners though have undergone quite the rebuild over the off-season having lost key personnel in key positions across the pitch.
Following on from inspirational club captain and first choice goalkeeper Danny Vukovic’s decision to retire after last season’s Grand Final victory, new shot-stopper Adam Pavlesic could well get the nod to start in goal.
Elsewhere, new recruit Diesel Herrington or centre-back Nathan Paull are both primed to partner Brian Kaltak in defence, left back Lucas Mauragis will be the man chosen to replace Jacob Farrell this season while Northern Irish midfielder Alfie McCalmont is also likely to feature in the heart of midfield following the departures of key duo Josh Nisbet and Max Balard.
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Furthermore, Mariners fans are likely to get a glimpse of their latest Samba star, attacker Vitor Feijao, after the 28-year-old recently penned a two-year deal at the club.
Becoming the sixth Brazilian to sign for the Central Coast in their 20-year history, Feijao will add depth to an attack which will also now feature young star Miguel Di Pizio for another two years after he also signed a new contract extension.
Standing in Jackson and Co’s way are NPL VIC’s Heidelberg United.
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Sixth in the standings with 24 games under their belts, former Western United assistant John Anastasiadis’s side will certainly give the reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions a run for their money give how far advanced they are into their own campaign.
Should they overcome the difficult challenge at Olympic Park then the Mariners will become the seventh Isuzu UTE A-League side to qualify for the Round of 16.
Wellington Phoenix’s 1-0 defeat to South Melbourne FC on Tuesday night meant they joined Sydney FC (defeated by Oakleigh Cannons) and Melbourne City (knocked out by Perth Glory) in crashing out of the cup in the Round of 32.
Having been knocked out in the same round last season by Sydney FC in an epic penalty shoot-out, head coach Mark Jackson will also get his first taste of Australia Cup football given he hadn’t yet been appointed to the role this time last year.
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The trophy cabinet is certainly overflowing at Industree Group Stadium given their recent haul of two Isuzu UTE A-League Championships, a Premiership, the Club Championship and the AFC Cup all won within the last two seasons.
However an Australia Cup victory would be just as sweet given the Mariners have never lifted the famore beaten us trophy, having come agonisingly close to doing so when they were beaten 2-1 by Melbourne Victory in the 2021 final.
