Central Coast Mariners coach Mark Jackson has urged his gamers to take advantage of a treble alternative that “would possibly by no means come round once more”.
Contemporary from sealing the A-League premiership on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Adelaide United in Gosford, the Mariners have been scheduled to depart for Oman on Thursday evening in pursuit of one other piece of silverware – the AFC Cup.
Jackson’s males meet Lebanese outfit Al-Ahed within the Cup remaining on Monday morning (AEST).
Ought to they win the decider, the Mariners will then have the prospect to complete their season with three trophies by efficiently defending their A-League championship on this month’s finals sequence.
“We mentioned to the gamers some time again that alternatives don’t usually come round in skilled soccer the place you possibly can win a trophy, and to be ready the place we will win the treble would possibly by no means come round once more, so we’re going to do every little thing we will to take that chance and depart all of it out on the desk,” Jackson mentioned.
“If we fall on the subsequent hurdle we’ll do it by making an attempt to play our manner, doing our factor, and doing it in a manner we wish to do it – that’s the mentality.
“It’s well-deserved the season that we’ve had.”
The Mariners’ effort to high the A-League ladder and win the Premier’s Plate is all of the extra outstanding contemplating they misplaced their first 4 video games of the season.
It was a rocky begin for Englishman Jackson, who took over within the low season from title-winning mentor Nick Montgomery.
“I can’t do something on my own,” Jackson mentioned on reflecting on the Mariners having overcome their early woes.
“It’s important to have sturdy workers round me who’re prepared to work and imagine in what we wish to obtain, and also you’ve received to have strong-willed gamers as properly to wish to take on-board the data.
“We’ve managed to return by way of that and end high of the league, and we’ve nonetheless received video games and trophies to play for.”
Jackson additionally paid credit score to second-placed Wellington Phoenix and their coach Giancarlo Italiano, who has additionally been in his first season in control of an A-League membership.
“They’d been sitting high of the league for a very long time as properly, so all credit score to them,” Jackson mentioned.
“They’ve received a brand new supervisor in there as properly and he’s carried out a particularly good job.
“Each time we’ve requested them a query, they’ve answered it, each time they’ve requested us a query, we’ve answered it, so we’ve gone toe-to-toe, so full congratulations to them for the place they’ve completed in.
“They’ve had a terrific season, and I’m positive they’ll be able to go for finals soccer as properly.”
