Mariners out to curb Kennedy

Central Coast defender Patrick Zwaanswijk is confident his side can nullify Qantas Socceroo Josh Kennedy when the two sides meet in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday night.

Central Coast defender Patrick Zwaanswijk is confident his side can nullify Qantas Socceroo Josh Kennedy when the two sides meet in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday night.

The final matchday of the group stage sees the Mariners – who sit third – travel to Japan to face the second-placed Nagoya Grampus.

A win will seal Central Coast’s berth in the next stage of the competition but if they draw, they will rely on Chinese side Tianjin Teda to thump current group leaders Seongham Ilhwa of South Korea.

That scenario is unlikely, meaning it will be all on the line for Graham Arnold’s men at the Nagoya Mizuho Athletic Stadium.

And if they are to win they will need to stop Kennedy, who was the J.League’s top scorer last season.

“I’ve seen the last five or six games of him with the National Team while I’ve been in Australia,” Zwaanswijk said.

“He’s a big guy, a tall guy so he’s always dangerous inside the box. (But) we know he doesn’t have a lot of pace so he’s not going to beat us in that.

“The only thing where he can beat us is in the 18-yard-box, and that’s where we have to keep him away from. If we play as well here (as we did in the home game) then I think we can beat them.”

The Dutch veteran has not lost any of his passion despite approaching the end of his career and is enjoying competing in the AFC Champions League.

And he says the club’s run in the competition has been a great experience for everyone involved with Central Coast, even if it ends on Tuesday.

“You want to play as many matches as you can, especially in the Champions League,” Zwaanswijk said.

“It’s not only good for the club, it’s good for the name of the Mariners. I think it’s a good experience for the guys as well. As long as we play well and prepare well we have to get a good match out of Tuesday.”

Oliver Bozanic (knee) and Troy Hearfield (back) have not travelled to Japan while defender Pedj Bojic is suspended.