Qantas Australian U-23s representatives Oliver Bozanic and Mathew Ryan have been rushed into the Central Coast Mariners squad for Sunday’s crucial Hyundai A-League match against the Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park.
Qantas Australian U-23s representatives Oliver Bozanic and Mathew Ryan have been rushed into the Central Coast Mariners squad for Sunday’s crucial Hyundai A-League match against Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park.
Bozanic and Ryan have missed several matches while away with the Australian Olympic team, who this week had their London dream shattered.
The pair will be hoping to be on the winning side as the Mariners look to hit back in style after failing to impress in a midweek 3-3 draw with cellar-dwellers Gold Coast United at Skilled Park.
The Mariners went into that contest as firm favourites and looked on course for another win when they opened the scoring early.
But after the early success they failed to produce the goods in a performance that would have given Central Coast’s title rivals plenty of hope.
Ryan is expected to come in for Justin Pasfield in goals, while Bozanic is in line for a start in the midfield.
Central Coast’s third Australian representative, Mustafa Amini, has not been included in the Mariners squad.
John Hutchinson missed the Gold Coast match with illness and is also hoping to return against the Heart.
The Mariners missed the combative midfielder on Wednesday night.
Coach Graham Arnold will be hoping for a much improved performance at AAMI Park.
The table-topping Mariners looked flat against the Gold Coast and with only four games to play after Sunday’s contest, they need to rediscover their cutting edge ahead of the finals.
The last time the teams met the Heart dominated for much of the contest and the Mariners needed a late winner from Adam Kwasnik to snatch a lucky win on the road.
