Central Coast: Celtic

2011年7月3日星期日

Mariners stun Celtic in Sydney

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在 ServiceModel 客户端配置部分中，找不到引用协定“TranslatorService.LanguageService”的默认终结点元素。这可能是因为未找到应用程序的配置文件，或者是因为客户端元素中找不到与此协定匹配的终结点元素。
Posted July 2, 2011 22:14:00

Substitute Troy Hearfield earned Central Coast a massive scalp as his well-taken goal gave the Mariners a 1-0 win over the Scottish soccer giant Celtic in a preseason friendly at the Olympic stadium on Saturday night.

The match between last season's Australian and Scottish league runners-up produced few clear-cut chances.

But new recruit Hearfield, formerly of Wellington and Newcastle, curled in a shot from the edge of the area in the 87th minute after Celtic had failed to clear a cross from the left.

Another second half substitute, Trent Sainsbury, cleared the ball off the line just before the end of the 90 minutes, as Celtic had an appeal for hand ball turned down.

Neither goalkeeper was forced into a significant save in the first half.

Celtic put a couple of attempts wide and the Mariners had a good spell just before the break, forcing several corners and having two shots blocked.

Clearly not enthused by the on-field fare, a few spectators in the 19,482-strong crowd tried to create their own entertainment by running on to the field during the half-time break and in the second half.

Attacking the end where the biggest block of its supporters were gathered, Celtic showed a little more urgency in the second half.

The game finally came to life after an hour, with each side earning good chances within the space of a minute.

Mariners goalkeeper Justin Pasfield foiled substitute Anthony Stokes with his legs before Adriano Pellegrino headed wide from a cross from impressive Mariners left back Josh Rose.

Celtic handed debuts to two off-season signings, defenders Adam Matthews and Kelvin Wilson, and included just three starters from their Scottish Cup final-winning team.

The Mariners started with six of their run-on side from the A-League grand final loss to Brisbane Roar.

Celtic plays Perth Glory next Saturday and Melbourne Victory four days later.

The Scottish giant starts its domestic campaign in five weeks, while the Mariners still have more than three months before their first A-League fixture.

Mariners: 1 (87')

Celtic: 0

- AAP

Tags: sport, football, aleague, australia, nsw, gosford-2250, sydney-2000, united-kingdom, scotland

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Mariners to rest Amini for Celtic

Central Coast young gun Mustafa Amini will miss his side's clash with Scottish giants Celtic in an effort to be fit for Australia's upcoming FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.

The in-demand Amini, who is reportedly being courted by many European clubs - including Celtic, is feeling the effects of a hectic schedule and will take no part in Saturday's friendly at the Olympic stadium.

Mariners coach Graham Arnold said the 18-year-old is coping with a groin injury he sustained during a busy A-League off-season.

"We're quite upset he can't play because the kid was desperate to play," he said.

"But he's just had such a heavy program over the last year with A-League games, he's been involved in three national team set-ups in the last two months ... the developing Socceroos squad in Germany, under-23s and under-20s.

"Hopefully it's going to be fine (for the U-20 World Cup) but he's got quite a bit of discomfort at the moment and with something in that area, the groin, you don't mess around with it.

"It could end up real bad if you push it too far."

Australia opens its U20 World Cup campaign on July 31 and Arnold, a former coach of the Socceroos and the national Under-23 side, has an idea of the bigger picture.

"For the good of the Australian under-20 team, who have the World Cup soon, it would be stupid for me to play him," he said.

"He hasn't had a break and he just turned 18 ... the whole national team program stuff has been too heavy for him."

On top of national team commitments, Amini trained with German club Borussia Dortmund, whose initial offer of 100,000 euros ($137,000) was too low for the Mariners.

Arnold refused to apportion blame when it came to Amini's ailment.

"He never had a problem with us. It's nobody's fault but the kid just needs a break before he breaks," he said.

"I think it's all down to fatigue and overload, too much football."

The Mariners lost last season's A-League final on penalties to the Roar and the classic is likely to be a major talking point ahead of the season-opening rematch on October 8.

However it is the furthest thing from Arnold's mind.

"Not at all. That's history," he said.

"The team had a fantastic season, they were champions but didn't get the championship - that's how I look at it.

"We've already moved forward, we don't talk about it anymore, we don't even look at it any more."

Celtic will use its three-game tour of Australia to help build cohesiveness ahead of the Scottish Premier League season, which has an earlier start date this year, July 23.

Manager Neil Lennon is also keen to develop a series of youngsters and new recruits.

"James Forrest, he's very exciting. Adam Matthews is a new signing from Cardiff who came here on a free transfer. Young Richie Towell is an Irish kid who has just come through the academy," he said.

"It's important for them to gel with the first-team boys, and interact with them, because they're going to be, hopefully, breaking through and being a part of it."

The visitors will field an understrength side on Saturday, with Greek striker Georgios Samaras, South Korean Ky Sung-Yueng and Swede Daniel Majstorovic set to join the team in Perth on July 5.

- AAP

Tags: sport, football, aleague, australia, nsw, gosford-2250

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