Central Coast Mariners are hoping the presence of World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi will encourage football fans to a massive AFC Champions League tie.
Italy’s World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi will be in Australia next week to guide his Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande against Hyundai A-League champions Central Coast Mariners in the AFC Champions League.
Lippi was manager of the Italian national team when the Azzurri won the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, and is also highly recognisable on the streets of Turin having guided the black and whites of Juventus to a stunning five Serie A titles between 1995 and 2003.
Lippi also won the UEFA Champions League with The Old Lady, as well as a European Super Cup, a Coppa Italia, and four Italian Supercups.
Guangzhou Evergrande are one of the wealthiest Club sides in Asia and will take on the Mariners in Gosford on Wednesday evening. Kick-off at Central Coast Stadium is at 7:30pm.
Mariners Chairman Peter Turnbull is hoping for Lippi’s presence will encourage football fans of all persuasion to watch the game on Gosford next week.
“We know how revered Marcello Lippi is by Juventus and Italian football fans and we hope those fans take the chance to come and see him on the sidelines on Wednesday evening,” Turnbull said.
“We are extremely proud to have worked our way into the position to host Marcello Lippi and Guangzhou Evergrande in Gosford in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League – Asia-s equivalent of the UEFA Champions League.”
Fans travelling to the game can purchase tickets from any Ticketek outlet, online at www.ticketek.com.au, or by calling 132 849.
Gosford train station (accessible from Central Station) is a two-minute walk from the Stadium, while there is parking in the Gosford CBD for fans opting to travel to the game by car.
Lippi and his Guangzhou Evergrande team are due to arrive in Australia on Sunday morning, and will train on the Central Coast on Tuesday before Wednesday-s fixture against the Mariners.
Central Coast Mariners (AUS) vs. Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
2013 AFC Champions League Round of 16 First-Leg
Wednesday 15 May, 2013
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 7:30pm
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter. The official hash tag for the game is #CCMvGE
