As he always does in the Hyundai A-League, Central Coast coach Graham Arnold has promised to go on the attack when the Mariners kick off their second AFC Champions League campaign in China on Wednesday night.
As he always does in the Hyundai A-League, Central Coast coach Graham Arnold has promised to go on the attack when the Mariners kick off their second AFC Champions League campaign in China on Wednesday night.
Arnold said his team is buzzing ahead of their Group G clash with Tianjin Teda at the 37,000-capacity Tianjin Teda Football Stadium.
The last time the Mariners were in the Champions League they failed to win a match but there is strong belief in this squad under Arnold and the Mariners coach is confident his side can match Tianjin.
Many of the Mariners squad played against Tianjin the last time the Mariners competed in the Champions League three years ago.
And, while attacking midfielder Mustafa Amini did not play in the Mariners’ 1-1 draw against Sydney on Saturday night, the youngster is likely to be included in the squad for this encounter.
Amini returned to Mariners training a little out of shape after a month away with the Qantas Olyroos but is a match-winner.
Defender Pedj Bojic will also return to the starting side after missing the Sydney match with suspension.
“It’s very exciting, everybody can’t wait for the match,” Arnold said.
“We want to win, not to settle for a draw.”
“Will I change the system a bit, I might.”
“But we want to win. I never send this team out to draw.”
Mariners skipper Alex Wilkinson had a stint playing in China before the start of the Hyundai A-League season and feels he knows what to expect on Wednesday night.
“A few of us know the area and the stadium,” he said.
“They’ll rely on speed and skill.”
