Mariners v Les Cagous

[Gratis]

from CCM site-
"CENTRAL Coast Mariners commenced their two-match pre-season tour of New Caledonia with a 1-1 draw against their hosts in Noumea this evening.

Bernie Ibini’s opportunistic effort just ten minutes in was cancelled out by a rasping free-kick eleven minutes after the interval, with neither side able to trouble the scorers at the Stade Numa Daly thereafter.

Central Coast tactician Graham Arnold took advantage of the opportunity to rotate his squad in the New Caledonian capital, handing game time to all bar two of the Mariners players that have travelled to the idyllic pacific island.

Arnold said experienced players Patrick Zwaanswijk and Mile Sterjovski would play against New Caledonia in the second match of the pre-season tour on Saturday night.

“We put in a very good performance,” Arnold said. “They beat New Zealand in the Oceania World Cup Qualifiers recently and for our first hit out we did exceptionally well.”

“This game provided us a much higher intensity than probably any game in Australia could at this time of year, so I couldn’t be happier with the start we’ve made.”

Arnold surrounded his younger squad members with some experienced heads, and said that the former Qantas Young Socceroo defender, Trent Sainsbury, was perhaps the best player for the yellow and navy on the night.

“Trent Sainsbury was probably our best player on the pitch over the 90 minutes,” Arnold said. “Brad McDonald did exceptionally well as well, as did all our young boys.”

New Caledonia mentor Alain Moizan made full use of his capacity to rotate his squad, bringing on almost a full, fresh new team for the second stanza.

Arnold said Moizan’s changes ensured Les Cagous were full of running and energy throughout the entirety of the friendly clash.

The wily Arnold also described the 56th minute free kick as a “bomb” that “no one could do anything about”.

Central Coast Mariners 1
New Caledonia 1

Stade Numa Daly, Noumea

Central Coast Mariners: 1. Justin Pasfield, 3. Joshua Rose (14. Michael McGlinchey), 4. Pedj Bojic (22. James Oates 63’), 7. John Hutchinson, 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 9. Bernie Ibini, 10. Tomas Rogic (17. Anthony Caceres 63’), 12. Troy Hearfield (19. Mitchell Duke 63’), 13. Brent Griffiths, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury

Subs not used: 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 21. Mile Sterjovski"

 

[Gratis]

All things considered this is impressive and encouraging

 

[bikinigirl]

. and i assume trent was playing CB ???

 

[midfielder]

The Trent of today reminds me very much of the Wilko of Hal 1...

 

[Forum Phoenix]

. and i assume trent was playing CB ???

Yeah that would be the assumption.

 

[Gratis]

That's his preferred position yes?

 

[12th player]

from CCM site-
"CENTRAL Coast Mariners commenced their two-match pre-season tour of New Caledonia with a 1-1 draw against their hosts in Noumea this evening.

Bernie Ibini’s opportunistic effort just ten minutes in was cancelled out by a rasping free-kick eleven minutes after the interval, with neither side able to trouble the scorers at the Stade Numa Daly thereafter.

Central Coast tactician Graham Arnold took advantage of the opportunity to rotate his squad in the New Caledonian capital, handing game time to all bar two of the Mariners players that have travelled to the idyllic pacific island.

Arnold said experienced players Patrick Zwaanswijk and Mile Sterjovski would play against New Caledonia in the second match of the pre-season tour on Saturday night.

“We put in a very good performance,” Arnold said. “They beat New Zealand in the Oceania World Cup Qualifiers recently and for our first hit out we did exceptionally well.”

“This game provided us a much higher intensity than probably any game in Australia could at this time of year, so I couldn’t be happier with the start we’ve made.”

Arnold surrounded his younger squad members with some experienced heads, and said that the former Qantas Young Socceroo defender, Trent Sainsbury, was perhaps the best player for the yellow and navy on the night.

“Trent Sainsbury was probably our best player on the pitch over the 90 minutes,” Arnold said. “Brad McDonald did exceptionally well as well, as did all our young boys.”

New Caledonia mentor Alain Moizan made full use of his capacity to rotate his squad, bringing on almost a full, fresh new team for the second stanza.

Arnold said Moizan’s changes ensured Les Cagous were full of running and energy throughout the entirety of the friendly clash.

The wily Arnold also described the 56th minute free kick as a “bomb” that “no one could do anything about”.

Central Coast Mariners 1
New Caledonia 1

Stade Numa Daly, Noumea

Central Coast Mariners: 1. Justin Pasfield, 3. Joshua Rose (14. Michael McGlinchey), 4. Pedj Bojic (22. James Oates 63’), 7. John Hutchinson, 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 9. Bernie Ibini, 10. Tomas Rogic (17. Anthony Caceres 63’), 12. Troy Hearfield (19. Mitchell Duke 63’), 13. Brent Griffiths, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury

Subs not used: 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 21. Mile Sterjovski"

Great to read that all young players performed well.Not surprised with Trent.He'll be the best CB in the HAL.

 

[Gratis]

"CENTRAL Coast Mariners concluded their two-match tour of New Caledonia with a 4-2 win over their hosts at the Stade Numa Daly in Noumea tonight.
Youngster Mitchell Duke netted a brace for the Mariners with Troy Hearfield and Bernie Ibini also etching their names on the scoresheet in the pacific.
The impressive Miguel Kayara – who on Thursday netted a stunning free kick for Les Cagous – enhanced his reputation with a fine solo effort for Alain Moizan’s men in the second stanza. New Caledonia scored another direct from a corner with nine minutes to play.
Indeed, it took Duke just three minutes to find the opening goal of the game. Hearfield found the Mariners marksman following a swift counter attack, with the 21-year-old Duke making no error in guiding the ball into the back of the net at the first time of asking.
After falling behind New Caledonia pressured the Central Coast defence with some attacking raids of their own. Goalkeeper Justin Pasfield produced two sharp saves to keep the yellow and navy ahead.
Just three minutes before the interval Hearfield scored his first goal of the pre-season. This time it was Duke playing provider, with Hearfield sliding the ball home to send the Mariners into the sheds with a two-goal cushion.
After the break Kayara reduced the deficit. Weaving his way past two would-be defenders, the New Caledonian midfielder produced a sharp shot to make the score 2-1.
Duke proved a handful for the New Caledonian backline throughout the game and in the 74th minute he scored his second of the night. After beating two players, Duke unleashed an unstoppable drive to restore Central Coast’s two-goal lead.
It would take only a minute for the Mariners to make the score 4-1. Bernie Ibini – who netted the Mariners’ goal in the 1-1 draw between the two sides on Thursday – nicked the ball into the back of the net.
New Caledonia sustained pressure on the Mariners thereafter and were rewarded for their efforts when they scored direct from a corner in the 81st minute.
But Central Coast held on to secure their first win of the pre-season.
After the match, Mariners tactician Graham Arnold said his team had benefited from the five-day tour to the pacific.
“We got exactly what we wanted out of the trip,” Arnold said. “We got two good games against a strong opposition in New Caledonia.”
“I believe the Oceania nations have improved enormously and we can’t thank New Caledonia enough for showing us such great hospitality throughout our stay.”
“Tonight we performed very well. We scored some good goals and in all honesty we could have scored more.”
“I am very happy with the performance and the trip.”
The Mariners return to the Central Coast tomorrow.
Central Coast Mariners 4 (Duke 3', 74', Hearfield 42', Ibini 75')
New Caledonia 2 (Kayara 61', Scorer TBC 81')
Stade Numa Daly

Central Coast Mariners 20. Justin Pasfield, 3. Josh Rose (22. James Oates 78’), 4. Pedj Bojic, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk (13. Brent Griffiths 78’), 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 12. Troy Hearfield (9. Bernie Ibini 45’), 14. Michael McGlinchey (7. John Hutchinson 70’), 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Anthony Caceres, 19. Mitchell Duke
Subs not used: 21. Mile Sterjovski
 

 

[Roy Law]

Sterjovski has had a nice holiday in New Caledonia...
Appears to have been a nice hit out for the boys; Caceres and Duke got full games and pre-season ever present Pellegrino is ever present again

 

[tsd]

Sterjovski has had a nice holiday in New Caledonia...
Appears to have been a nice hit out for the boys; Caceres and Duke got full games and pre-season ever present Pellegrino is ever present again

with the young guys playing the way they are, old mate mile is going to have to work hard to make the team!

 

[Gratis]

with the young guys playing the way they are, old mate mile is going to have to work hard to make the team!

that's exactly how you want it

great signs all 'round

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Good signs.

 

[midfielder]

http://m.smh.com.au/sport/football/mariners-look-to-new-caledonia-for-talent-20120824-24rst.html


CENTRAL COAST MARINERS coach Graham Arnold believes football in Oceania is developing at a faster rate than in Australia, and will keep his eye on two New Caledonia internationals in the wake of last week's challenging short tour to Noumea.
The reigning A-League minor premiers battled to a draw (1-1) and a win (4-2) against a New Caledonian team preparing for next month's World Cup qualifier against New Zealand, and Arnold - a former Socceroos player and coach who spent the bulk of his international career involved in Oceania - was blown away by the rate of progress. Australia, a founding member of the Oceania Football Confederation in 1966, switched to Asia in 2006.
''I couldn't believe how much things have improved, they've [Oceania] come on leaps and bounds,'' Arnold said. ''The last time I was involved in Oceania, we were thumping their teams 10 and 20 blot. Now they're pressing us, they've got tactics, they've got fitness, they've got academies, and the facilities are getting better all the time. In the past five years, they've probably developed quicker than us. They're getting a lot of support from FIFA these days, and you can see the results. I was very impressed with the quality, and the professionalism. They [New Caledonia] gave us two high quality games, the sort of test we wouldn't have got here at this stage of the pre-season. To me, that says a lot.''
In the wake of the short tour to Noumea, talks have begun to develop a closer relationship between the Mariners and New Caledonia, who have been sending their best players to France since the 1930s. New Caledonia's most decorated footballer, Christian Karembeau, won the 2006 World Cup with France, and four members of the present national team are playing in the French leagues, including striker Georges Gope-Fenepej, who joined first division newcomers Troyes on the back of the recent Oceania Nations Cup, and has been involved in the opening two games of the season.
While no New Caledonian players have played professionally in Australia yet, Arnold is ready to open the door. Midfielder Miguel Kayara, 26, and left-winger Georges Bearune, 24, caught his eye during the recent two-match series, and he intends to keep a close watch on their form during the forthcoming Oceania World Cup qualifiers, which will see New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, New Zealand and Tahiti do battle over the next six months.
''I'm open to the idea of bringing them over, that's for sure,'' he says. ''The ideal set-up would be to get them here after the qualifiers, perhaps to play for our feeder team [Central Coast Lightning]. They're good footballers, believe me, but as is always the case with the Pacific islanders, the test is when you take them out of their comfort zone. But I'm excited by what I see.''
The Mariners will continue their pre-season campaign against NSW second-tier side Bankstown City at Sefton next Wednesday night, with star goalkeeper Matt Ryan back in the fold after recent trials with English Premier League sides Tottenham and West Bromwich Albion.
With the transfer window closing at the end of next week, time is running out for either side to make an offer, and Arnold said: ''Both clubs liked what they saw, but if I was a betting man I'd say Matty will be with us for the start of the season.''
Meanwhile, Sydney FC have cancelled their next pre-season match against NSW Premier League side Manly United - scheduled for next Tuesday night - after a spate of injuries. The Sky Blues will now be back in action against A-League rivals Adelaide United at Marconi Stadium next Saturday night instead.
In other news, former Melbourne Heart striker Eli Babalj has finally been cleared to join Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade after a protracted transfer dispute, and was a non-playing substitute in Thursday night's Europa League match against Bordeaux.