Central Coast Mariners youngster Matthew Lewis is hoping to press his case for a full-time contract with the club in next Tuesday’s Asian Champions League clash against Tianjin Teda.
Lewis has a chance to start his first match for the Mariners, who are out of contention for a spot in the second round of the Asian Champions League, when Lawrie McKinna takes an inexperienced team into battle on Tuesday.
“Hopefully Lawrie gives some of us young boys a go in the last match, seeing as there’s nothing to play for really. It would be great to get game,” Lewis said.
Lewis, 18, has relished spending time with the senior group during the ACL campaign and featured on the bench in the heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the Pohang Steelers in the previous game.
“It’s been really good I think. Just training with these boys. It’s been great. I’ve learned a lot from them. It was great to go to Korea and get a look in,” he said.
Having starred for the Mariners Youth League team last season, he thinks he may be able to press for a Hyundai A-League deal with a strong performance in Tuesday’s game.
“It’s my first priority. Hopefully I’ve done enough over the last four or five months to get a look in. It’s a dream to play soccer full time, hopefully I can do it here,” he said.
