Out-of-contract Ryan is pondering personal terms with Europa League bound Danish Superliga outfit Randers.

Bojic has already agreed terms with Sydney FC after being granted a release by the Mariners from the final year of his contract - which the club confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.

Bozanic, who signed a new deal in March until the end of the 2013-2014 season, is on the threshold of joining the growing list of Aussies in Korea.

Central Coast’s board met on Monday and agreed to accept a training compensation fee of $180,000 for 21-year-old fringe Socceroos custodian Ryan, who has made 78 appearances since his debut in 2010.

Crucially, the deal will also net the Mariners about 20 per cent any future on-sale fee for the shot-stopper if he heads to Denmark.

Ryan, whose mooted trial with Ligue 1 outfit Lille appears to be off the agenda, was also wanted by League One side Sheffield United - with both Randers and the Blades pledging to make him No.1 next season.

But it seems Randers - managed by former England international defender Colin Todd – has won out, assuming Ryan agrees to the wage package on offer.

Bojic, 29, another of coach Graham Arnold’s mainstays over the past five years will join the Sky Blues after seeking and being granted a release.

The Sydney-based right-back made 123 appearances since his debut in 2008 but was an unused substitute in the 3-0 ACL Round of 16 second leg defeat to Guangzhou Evergrande.

Bojic's departure will pave the way Young Socceroos defender Hayden Morton – who has made two A-League appearances to date - to fill the void left by one of Arnold’s most experienced and reliable performers.

Former Young Socceroos midfielder Bozanic, 24, could join the duo in heading out of Gosford with an unnamed K-League side offering a fee that has triggered a release clause in his contract.

Bozanic, who is highly rated by Arnold, was hampered by injuries this season and only started 10 A-League games – including the grand final.

He came off the bench in both leg of the ACL tie with Guangzhou - which the Mariners lost 5-1 on aggregate.

Meanwhile, highly-rated centre-back Trent Sainsbury will trial with perennial Swiss UEFA Champions League representative FC Basel this month – assuming he is not named in the Socceroos squad for June's World Cup qualifiers – and could also be on his way abroad.

Attacking threat Bernie Ibini was due to trial with Ryan at Lille, but may now be staying put – for the time being.

Greenacre assisted former coach Ricki Herbert last season and took over the coaching reins for the final six games of 2012-2013 campaign when Herbert resigned in February.

Merrick, who was confirmed as coach early this week, said the decision to appoint Greenacre was an easy one.

“(Chris) has the attributes and character to be a coach,” he said.

“He helps people, has an honest and open personality and good communication skills.

“His experience as a professional player also stands him in good stead, and he has been working hard towards his A-coaching licence, which he will complete in July.

Greenacre didn't apply for the vacant head role but has got his wish to remain as an assistant and to continue learning the coaching trade.

The 35-year-old said he is pleased the board has faith in him and that Merrick wants to work alongside him.

“Ernie said he wanted me at the club and I feel I can help with the transition,” Greenacre said.

“I had a little taste of the head coaching role at the end of the season and enjoyed it, but I know I am not yet ready for that position.

“I’ve had a couple of talks with him and like what I heard. He asked my opinion on some things and I really believe he is the right man to take us forward.

“I look forward to working with him and want him to help me become a better coach.”

Wellington begins its A-League campaign on 13 October at home against Brisbane Roar.

The Wanderers enjoyed a 10-game winning streak in their inaugural campaign en route to the premiers' plate, but fell 2-0 to Central Coast Mariners in the 2012-2013 decider.

"Obviously, it's still painful to think about the grand final and seeing the highlights there again - it doesn't help," Beauchamp said at the announcement of the 2013-14 season draw.

"But it's given us even more motivation to go ahead with the job next season. It's going to be a tough road to get there again, but we're looking forward to the challenge.

"It doesn't come around very often, the chance to hold up the trophy after a grand final."

Western Sydney will start pre-season training on 1 July ahead of its round-one grand final rematch against Central Coast on 12 October.

Given the groundswell of support for Beauchamp's team in its maiden season, expectations at Football Federation Australia (FFA) are high.

"The challenge of making the grand final is something for (coach) Tony Popovic and the players, but the real challenge is going to be meeting the demand for seats (at Parramatta Stadium)," FFA boss David Gallop said on Wednesday.

"I think with three sell-outs last season, we can expect the pressure to be on Parramatta Stadium to accommodate their fans."

Despite the demand for tickets, Gallop said his organisation never entertained the idea of Western Sydney playing home finals or a handful of blockbuster games at a larger venue such at ANZ Stadium.

Beauchamp was relieved.

"I think if you moved us to a bigger stadium, it takes away from the atmosphere," the 32-year-old defender said.

"For me, the atmosphere at that ground, other than AAMI Park, it's the best in the league.

"You're sitting so close to the field and you can hear the cheers and the abuse. That's all part of football and I love that."

Beauchamp said his club wanted to work even closer with fans this season.

"We're still doing the same things, but obviously in overdrive I suppose ... I'm sure we'll have a lot more members, having played and achieved what we did last season."

Gallop said FFA was "doing some work" on selling the league-owned club, but was unwilling to put a timeframe on a potential deal.

The match will be the first time an A-League game has been shown LIVE on free-to-air TV and SBS will show one A-League match LIVE per week on a Friday night.

"SBS’s broadcast of the Hyundai A-League ensures that the premier domestic football competition is free for all Australians," SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said.

"SBS has always championed the sports which unite communities and the world and with football being the world’s biggest game it is only fitting that the A-League has a free-to-air home on SBS."

The opening match between Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets will see two of the superstars of the game in Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey go head-to-head on free-to-air TV.

"The popularity of football has grown enormously in Australia and Friday night A-League on SBS will showcase the world game like never before," SBS Head of Sport Ken Shipp said.

"We are really excited to be part of this next phase for the domestic game, and SBS will bring its own brand of analysis and expertise to the coverage.”

SBS’s coverage of the 2013-2014 A-League season will include a LIVE Friday night match as well as a weekly preview show and highlights program.

The fixture will be the first A-League game to be broadcast LIVE on free-to-air with a Grand Final re-match between champion Central Coast Mariners and Premiers' Plate winner Western Sydney Wanderers and the Melbourne derby to follow on Saturday.

"For the first time we will have Hyundai A-League action on both subscription and free-to-air television which can only be a good thing for the greater growth of the sport in Australia," FFA CEO David Gallop said.

"Fox Sports and SBS coverage of the Hyundai A-League will allow for football to continue its sharp growth trend. Reaching a wider audience meaning more fans can get closer to the action than ever before at our fantastic venues or via our television, radio and digital properties."

Rounding out Round 1 on Sunday, Wellington Phoenix hosts Brisbane Roar before Perth Glory and Adelaide United go head-to-head.

Football Federation Australia officially released the draw at 11am Wednesday with the competition to conclude in the first weekend of May, the latest ever finish to an A-League season, to move it into line with the major European leagues.

Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart will host two of the three respective derbies during the 135 game 27 round regular season - with the first Sydney derby in Round 3.

The busy festive period schedule will continue with 16 games packed into 18 days with Sydney FC to play Brisbane Roar on Boxing Day and the Mariners' successful New Year's Eve fixture locked in once again.

Melbourne Victory plays host to Sydney FC in the second instalment of the Big Blue for the campaign on Australia Day.

Townsville, Albury and North Sydney Oval will host games during the season with the knockout three week final series to remain in tact.

"This season’s draw has been crafted to ensure that whether you are an avid supporter of a team or the many new fans discovering the Hyundai A-League there is always something to look forward to in every round of the 2013-14 competition," Gallop said.

Miller, 32, is Brisbane's first signing of the 2013 pre-season and comes on the day it announced Ben Halloran was moving on to play in Germany's 2. Bundesliga.

"I'm very happy to be joining a club with such a strong football culture both on and off the pitch," Miller said.

"I know how proud and passionate Brisbane Roar fans are and I look forward to proving to them I am worthy of wearing this orange jersey."

Miller had spells with Celtic, AGF Aarhus (loan), Manchester United, Leeds United (loan), Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers and Hibernian before moving to Australia.

"My family were a huge part in my decision to sign for Brisbane and the close-knit nature of the playing group and the whole club made that decision easier for me," he said.

"I am confident I can make a difference to this Roar team and I can't wait for pre-season to begin."

Head coach Mike Mulvey said he was delighted with Miller's decision to join Roar.

"On behalf of the club, I'd like to welcome Liam to Brisbane and say we're very excited to have him on board with us," Mulvey said.

"I see Liam as a key piece to our midfield puzzle - he brings experience and poise and a good work ethic.

"I can't wait to see how he combines with the talent we already have here at Brisbane Roar."

"We never want to stand in the way of a player pursuing their dreams overseas," Roar managing director Sean Dobson said.

"As a club, we have a great tradition of footballers forging successful careers overseas.

"We've enjoyed having Ben here and we hope he goes on to do great things in Germany."

The former Gold Coast United flyer joined Brisbane 12 months ago, scoring four goals in 28 appearances for the club.

There is no confirmation yet as to which 2. Bundesliga side Halloran will join but he has previously been linked to relegated Fortuna Dusseldorf - where Robbie Kruse made his name before he was snapped up by UEFA Champions League qualifier Bayer Leverkusen.

Speaking on the eve of the second leg of the Mariners’ round of 16 AFC Champions League duel against the bank-busting money men of Guangzhou Evergrande, the Englishman insisted it’s time for the club he saved from going under seven weeks ago to replace bashful with boastful.

“I feel people should be looking up to this club as the best in Australia. We are the champions after all,” said the telco tycoon. “From a financial point of view we might be the smallest – but we are the best.

“We have the best training facilities in the country (at Tuggerah) without a doubt and we have the best coach in Australia, without a doubt.

“It’s nice to think we supersede our expectations but our expectations are far higher than some people think they are. We are the champions of Australia and are going to start behaving that way - both on and off the field.

“We have plans from grassroots level to the first team and that’s what’s going to build our success going forward. It’s not just looking at next season but many years down the line.”

Though Central Coast will need a minor miracle to upset the Chinese Super League leader and back-to-back champion at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou on Wednesday night as its trails 2-1 from the first leg, Charlesworth insists the club’s A-League stocks have never been higher after its grand final win.

Charlesworth, who rejected a $4 million offer from South Melbourne’s backers to take control of the club because it would have meant losing the franchise from Gosford, is under no illusions of how hard it will be to turn Central Coast into a self-sustaining entity.

“The future is challenging, without a doubt. We need to be working closely with FFA in building the sport on the Coast,” he added.

“My dream is to help build football in Australia over the next few years so it’s competing with the major sports. That might seem ambitious but I’m an ambitious person. There’s a lot of growing for football to do in Australia and the impetus is there now to push on.

“But we can’t pat ourselves on the back because the job is only halfway done.”

Though the club is facing the exits of several players after its Asian Champions League fate is determined, Charlesworth believes the club will be able to replenishing itself – just as it has done in the past.

“The plans are in place to continue to do what we have done over the past few years. Obviously we want Graham Arnold to stay on as coach but if he does leave we have a succession plan in place (understudy Phil Moss to take the reins with player turned coach Patrick Zwaanswijk as his deputy).

“We will be very competitive next year, without a doubt. Our target once again will be to win the thing – not to simply finish just in the tops six.

“But the reality is if younger players excel in the A-League they attract interest from offshore and while we will try and persuade players to stay, if decent offers come from overseas there’s not much we can do about that.

“Over the years we have managed to successfully replace those who have been sold – and those sales have sustained the club. For the short-term at least, that’s going to have to continue. Hopefully, in a few years the league will be at level where players will want to stay.

“On the flip side, we have such a strong coaching network and such good facilities, the best young players want to play for the Mariners and we give them an opportunity.”

On the Mariners’ prospects of shocking Marcello Lippi’s multi-millionaire squad, Charlesworh said: “The tie is not dead; we are going there to hopefully do something special. Everybody has written us off … everybody is used to writing the Mariners off.

“But this club never gives up. We might be a goal down but stranger things have happened and we’ll give it a real go.

“The difference between the sides is they have the budget to attract world class quality and were able to put away those half chances in the first leg, whereas we didn’t.

“But in terms of overall play, and chances created, we gave a great account of ourselves and 2-2 might have been a fairer result.”

Australia, which sits third in AFC qualifying Group B on six points, faces Japan in a World Cup qualifier on 4 June, before hosting Jordan in Melbourne on 11 June and Iraq in Sydney on 18 June.

Should the Socceroos fail to gain one of four automatic places by finishing in the top two, they will be forced into a series of elimination play-offs, provided they finish third in the group.

Despite the uncomfortable predicament, Gallop says he believes the A-League is strong enough within the sporting landscape to continue to thrive even if the Socceroos don't play in Brazil next year.

"This will sound a strange thing to say but it's not a disaster if we don't make it," Gallop said. "I think the game has shifted now so that the backbone is the A-League but certainly it's that once in every four years opportunity for not only football fans but Australian sport fans to be part of the biggest event on the globe.

"We want to be part of that and it is important."

There is nothing locked in place beyond the two qualifiers in Melbourne and Sydney next month for the Socceroos, so Gallop is open to offers from anywhere in the country for the national side to play in preparation for for a possible World Cup finals campaign.

The only condition he has is that it will take funding from the state governments that want to host games and it will have to be commercially viable.

He also revealed he'd like the Socceroos to play in the opening event of Perth's new rectangular stadium, scheduled for 2018.

"We need government assistance to bring games to any part of the country, but long-term there is going to be a new big stadium going to be in place by 2018 and wouldn't it be terrific if the Socceroos were part of the opening event for that stadium," Gallop said.

"We do have plans for the Socceroos in the next short period but after that everything is open for discussion.

"We've had great assistance from state governments that have allowed us to bring Socceroos games with the next two being in Melbourne and Sydney.

"We need the fans to get out to support the game and also obviously the government and stadium operators to give us the incentive to bring games to other cities."

McGlinchey said the major difference between the two sides in the first leg of the tie at Bluetongue Stadium on Wednesday was the speed with which Guangzhou Evergrande moved the ball into attack off Central Coast turnovers.

Guangzhou Evergrande won the game 2-1 and the return leg will be played in front of a packed house at Guangzhou Sports Centre on Wednesday.

“They were great in transition,” McGlinchey said. “That’s their strength.

“We put in a good performance and had enough chances to score goals and even win the game, but when you come up against a quality side like that you’ve got to be very careful about how you manage the ball.

“They are very quick at making something happen out of nothing. Obviously, the best thing would be to avoid turning the ball over, but it happens and when it does we’ve got to be more alert and react quicker to the danger.

“We’ve got to be disciplined when we’ve got the ball and we’ve got to get behind it when they’ve got it. We’ve got to try to suffocate them when they’ve got possession.”

Despite the fact the Mariners lost the first leg, it was one of their best performances at ACL level. It was a fast-paced, high-quality game against a very strong opponent and they could have easily emerged from it with at least a well-earned draw.

The big-name players in the Guangzhou Evergrande side made the difference in the end, but McGlinchey said the Mariners had travelled to China optimistic about their chances of getting the result they need to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Central Coast must score two goals just to put themselves in the picture and if Guangzhou Evergrande score even just one goal it will become a mountain for the Mariners to climb.

“We stepped up to the level in last week’s game,” McGlinchey said. “It was a fantastic game to play in - apart from the result.

“The increased speed of the game meant you had to concentrate hard, because you never had a lot of time on the ball.

“And if you gave it away it was very hard to get it back.”

McGlinchey said his aim in the return leg is to apply more pressure when he had the ball.

“I want to take the defender on a bit more,” he said.

McGlinchey paid tribute to veteran Mariners central defender Patrick Zwaanswijk, who will retire after this match.

Zwaanswijk, 38, made his name in Dutch football, and after a stint in Japan he has finished off a terrific career with three years at the Mariners.

“Patrick came over at 35 and managed to produce three seasons of high-quality football for us,” McGlinchey said. “He’s been one of our best players this season.

“We’ll try as hard as we can to send him off the right way.”

Seven years ago, Merrick's Melbourne Victory finished second to bottom in the inaugural A-League - one place ahead of wooden spoon-winning New Zealand Knights.

The following season, Victory won the league with four games remaining and went on to take out the grand final with a 6-0 win over Adelaide United.

The Scotland-born 60-year-old, whose last job was as Hong Kong's national coach, went on to win the title again in 2009 with Victory.

That experience leaves Merrick confident of revitalising Phoenix after the Ricki Herbert-coached side slumped to last place in the 10-team A-League last season.

He's clear on the areas which need improvement, and on the strategies needed for Phoenix to start playing an attractive, possession-based game.

A high-quality defender is near the top of his wish-list, followed closely by a creative midfield that can improve transition onto attack, as well as another speedy striker.

But he's not looking for one-dimensional players.

"I'm a great believer in a solid back four, but the two fullbacks are wingers. If they're not, they're just doing one job rather that two," he said.

Midfielders who can work the ball through from defence to attack, avoiding the long punt upfield, are also important. Carlos Hernandez, already signed with Phoenix for two years, is one such player, but Merrick is looking for more.

Possession football is important, he says, but there's no point in playing that game in the back third.

"It's about getting it close to the opposition penalty box and keeping possession until you're ready to play the killer pass," he said.

"The best teams in the world don't panic or get a nose bleed when they've got the ball just outside the opposition's penalty area."

The key to Phoenix's game under Merrick will centre around possession, but the emphasis will be on fast, high-intensity football played at the right end of the pitch.

After signing a two-year deal with Phoenix, with an option for a third, Merrick is looking to hit the ground running as soon as he takes up his new position on 5 June.

He says his players can expect an extraordinary pre-season, targeted on preparing the team for finals football.

"I believe in an abnormal pre-season - the boys are going to work very hard. If they're going to have an attitude of 'we're going to play in the finals', they'd better start from day one in proving it by the way they train."

The 31-year-old attacking midfielder is seeking a pay rise after his standout season for the club which limped to ninth on the ladder in the 2012-2013.

And while Heart coach John Aloisi is keen to keep the sometime Socceroo as he bids to refashion his under-achieving side, the former West Ham United and Hull City man appears to have at least one foot out of the AAMI Park door.

“I am still talking with the club and I am waiting to hear back from them and I also have feelers out elsewhere and there are a few possibilities,” said Garcia, who also claimed the fan-voted Supporters Player of the Year and shared the John Aloisi Golden Boot Award with striker Josip Tadic after an impressive first A-League season.

“A few things have come to light that are of some interest but I am not rushing into anything and I want to make an educated decision when the time comes.

“I also certainly haven’t given up on staying with Heart and I know John Didulica (Heart's football operations manager) is doing all he can to come to an agreement and we are certainly getting closer.”

It’s believed Garcia – currently out of favour with his country but highly prized by his club – accepted a modest contract when he joined Heart after being released by Hull City last season.

And while Heart has offered a modest upgrade, he is holding out for a more substantial rise in acknowledgment of clearly emerging as the club’s brightest adornment.

“I am pretty relaxed about the future,” he added. “I am the good side of 30 and more experienced and level headed as a player and a person. And I just want to enjoy my football – wherever that may be.”

There was interest from Garcia’s hometown club Perth Glory eight weeks back but negotiations stalled and Asia, the home to a gallery of Australians, is also a possibility.

Losing Garcia – who scored six times in 24 appearances last season - would be a major blow for Aloisi, who is currently in Europe where according to CEO Scott Munn he has been in discussions with up to seven players over filling three visa slots as the club chases a striker, defensive midfielder and centre-back.

Munn said of the out-of-contract Garcia: “We would like to keep him. We have made him an offer and are working through that. I am sure he would attract interest from, any A-League club because he had a great year with us.”

Aloisi is seeking to revamp his squad after A-League stalwarts Simon Colosimo, Matt Thompson, Fred and Clint Bolton were all cut loose at the end of the season.

So far winger Iain Ramsay has been recruited from Adelaide and the arrival of Brisbane Roar midfielder Massimo Murdocca was confirmed on Monday – leaving four vacancies remaining in what will be a 22-man squad, assuming Garcia stays.

Garcia, meanwhile, is delighted to see his former club's (Hull City) elevation to the Premier League.

“Obviously I was there with them in the Championship and then also in the Premier League and to see them go back is great for the club and the city,” he said.

“They have a top manager in Steve Bruce and it will interesting to see how much money he is given to strengthen the squad in the summer.”

Murdocca, Roar’s only remaining foundation player, had a year to run on his Roar contract but now joins Heart on a two-year deal.

“I am still hungry for more success and it’s something I want to bring to Heart," Murdocca said.

"Since coming into the league, I have always been impressed by how many problems their young players caused me and how they have tried to play attractive football.

“To be able to come back and play football in my home suburb in front of family and friends is really exciting.”

Murdocca returns to his hometown with wife Michelle and one-year-old daughter Allesandra after eight years in Brisbane and 162 A-League games.

“It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Massimo but we know it’s for the right reasons,” Roar Managing Director Sean Dobson said.

“His record speaks for itself and to be the most capped Brisbane Roar player in club history is testament to his commitment and professionalism.

“Massimo has been a great ambassador for this club over the past eight years and while we wanted him to stay on with the Roar, we wish him and his family all the best in Melbourne.”

Murdocca follows the likes of Mitch Nichols (Melbourne Victory), Stef Nijland, James Meyer and Matt Jurman out of Roar since last season.

Roar's loss is Heart's gain with coach John Aloisi delighted to have 28-year-old Murdocca on board.

“Massimo has a well-deserved reputation as an outstanding professional and he has proven he has a winner’s mentality,” Aloisi, who is currently on a scouting mission in Europe, said.

“His energy and performances in the A-League have always been of the highest standard and he is a player who consistently gets the most out of himself.

"It’s wonderful that we can attract somebody to the club who still has so much to offer.”

Murdocca is Heart's second off-season signing after the capture of Ian Ramsey from Adelaide United.

The 38 year-old central defender is expecting the emotion to kick in after the second leg of the round of 16 Asian Champions League clash in China, but until then he says he will hold it together and do all he can to help the Mariners achieve a shock result.

“I’m not too emotional about it,” Zwaanswijk said. “I’m feeling pretty good. It’s been a great ride, my time at the Mariners, and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.

“Winning the grand final after we had waited so long to do it, that was the most emotional moment I’ve had at the club. I’m looking forward to the next phase of my career now, but first I’ve got a job to do with the rest of the team in China.”

Zwaanswijk will retire after the game and join the club’s coaching staff for next season.

Guangzhou Evergrande beat the Mariners 2-1 at Bluetongue Stadium in the first leg of the ti, which means the Mariners have to score two goals at a packed Guangzhou Sports Centre just to be a chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.

When asked if the equation made it difficult for the Mariners to settle on the right approach for the game, given that they need to score multiple goals but also try to keep the opposition from scoring, Zwaanswijk said it would be just as tricky for Guangzhou Evergrande.

“They’ve got a 2-1 lead. Do they try to defend that or do they try to score a goal?” he said. “Graham Arnold told us that with all the international experience we’ve had, and he’s had, we can go in there with the knowledge that it’s not going to be easy for them to find their way through this game either.

"A 2-1 score can be hard to defend.”

Zwaanswijik, who joined the Mariners after a terrific career spent mainly in Dutch and Japanese football, has been great for the club both with his own play and his influence on the young central defenders coming through there.

Trent Sainsbury and Zac Anderson have clearly learned a lot in a short time from Zwaanswijk, accelerating their development in one of the game’s most difficult positions.

Sainsbury missed the first leg of the tie with a hamstring injury, with Anderson partnering Zwaanswijk. But Sainsbury, who won the Mariners Medal as the club’s player of the season and is attracting serious interest from overseas clubs, has made the trip to China and is expected to play.

“Trent got through everything at our final home training session on Saturday,” Zwaanswjik said. “He looked 100 percent, so he should be fine to play.”

The Mariners flew to China on Sunday and had had further training sessions planned for Monday and Tuesday.

Zwaanswijk had for several months been wrestling with the decision of whether to play on next season, and only announced his intention to retire ahead of the first leg of this tie.

He said the fact the Mariners won the grand final 2-0 over Western Sydney Wanderers, with him scoring a goal, had allowed him to think clearly before making a decision.

“It didn’t make the decision for me, but it removed any possible distractions,” Zwaanswijk said. “I didn’t have to worry that there might be something lacking if I retired without a grand final win.

“I could think strictly about whether it was the right time for me to retire, and it was.

"Arnie had left it up to me to decide whether to play on or join the coaching staff, and when I thought about it I realised I was starting to struggle a bit with the training.

“Once I made the decision I was comfortable with it, so I knew straight away I’d made the right one.

“I came here for one season originally, and now I’ve stayed for three and I’m going to continue with the club by coaching the youth team and working on wider youth development. I’m pretty happy with the way it has all turned out.”

Merrick’s success during his time in charge of Melbourne Victory between 2005-2011, where he guided the club to two premierships, two championships and three grand final appearances, proved decisive in Phoenix's decision to hand the 60-year-old the gig.

“His twelve years at the Victoria Institute of Sport (VIS), as well as his work with Melbourne Victory youth, demonstrates a proven track record in developing youth and bringing them through to the first team, something which is a core strategic pillar of the Phoenix.

“He also fully understands the long term strategy the club is implementing and is supportive of that approach.

“His clearly articulated football philosophy and attention to detail was strongly underpinned by his sports science skills and that gave him a unique combination of attributes.

“His skill set definitely gave him a distinct edge.

“Another plus was that his knowledge of the A-League and its players is exceptional.”

Merrick, who coached the Hong Kong national team between 2011-2012, said he is excited by the challenge of building Phoenix into an A-League title contender.

“I had six years at Victory but this is a new challenge entirely. It is unusual for one team to represent a country and it presents me with a great challenge.

“There is great potential at the club and there must be a lot of talented young players in New Zealand to draw on.

“I focussed on producing young players at the Victoria Institute of Sport and at Melbourne Victory and one of my most important roles at the Phoenix will be to provide input into the type of structure that will groom up and coming players for the first team.”

Merrick said his first priority would be to sign players for two or three crucial positions and then to make sure there was a production line of young players coming through.

“That is something I tried to ensure at Victory because you are always going to have injuries and players called up for international duty," he said.

“To make three grand finals in four seasons as we did at Victory we had to keep new players coming through.”

“The owners and board are determined to bring stability to the Phoenix, and they impressed me as people who want to set up structures and a playing style rather than just try and buy success season after season.

One of the players Merrick will inherit is his ex-Victory star Carlos Hernandez, who will join up with Phoenix in June after a stint in India.

“Carlos was obviously signed before I was appointed but I know him well,” Merrick said.

“He has tremendous technical skills and can score goals as well as assist others to score them.”

Merrick will take up his duties on 5 June and said he was already planning his first season’s full training schedule - with the future of Chris Greenacre yet to be determined in the coaching structure.

Greenace was placed as interim coach after Ricki Herbert called an end to his Phoenix reign after he became the longest serving coach in the A-League in January, surpassing Merrick's mark of 151 games.

Juric, 22, signed a short-term deal with Adelaide last season, scoring twice in a seven-game spell after five years of playing in Croatia.

In his time abroad the western Sydney native scored 12 goals in 18 games for Croatia Sesvete before teaming up with now-Wanderers midfielder Mateo Poljak at Lokomotiva.

He then joined fellow top-division side Inter Zapresic for a season before heading to Adelaide where his contract only recently expired.

"I am very excited to be given the opportunity to come and join the Wanderers," Juric said.

"I have the utmost respect for Tony Popovic and everything he has achieved this year.

"To come back to Sydney and play in western Sydney where I grew up is real motivation to work hard and become a better player.

"To also come back into a team that is preparing for both the A-league season and the AFC Champions League is an amazing opportunity for me."

Juric is the first replacement signed for the Wanderers after the departure of strikers Joey Gibbs and Dino Kresinger, defender Tarek Elrich and midfielder Rocky Visconte last month.

Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman said the Juric would be a great addition to the club.

"Tom provides added potency to our front line and we are very excited to have him form part of our squad for this coming season," he said.

"His strength and pace enhances our front third and we look forward to seeing him in action in the red and black hoops.

"His signing is further reflective of our club's culture and commitment to bring home players who have grown up in the western Sydney region."

After winning all three of their matches on the opening day of the tournament on Saturday, the Jets finished on top of Group B with nine points and a goal difference of plus 13.

Newcastle faced Group C runner-up Hong Kong FC A in the quarter-finals, notching a 4-0 victory in hot and humid conditions on Sunday morning. Ruben Zadkovich, James Brown, Jacob Pepper and Joey Gibbs all scored in the comfortable win.

The Jets had the unenviable task of toppling the defending champion when they faced the Singapore U-21 national team at the semi-final stage.

After falling behind 1-0 early, the Jets drew level from a Zadkovich free-kick.

Taylor Regan’s goal a short time later was enough to seal victory for Newcastle and ensure it reached the grand final.

They faced Asian Champions League participant Chonburi FC in the decider, with Regan getting the Jets off to the perfect start with a classy individual goal.

Sam Gallaway doubled the Jets’ advantage a short time later, before Chonburi hit back to make it 2-1.

However, Regan was once again in the right place at the right time, finishing from close range after Zadkovich’s long-range strike was spilled by the Chonburi goalkeeper.

A late strike from James Brown sealed victory for the Jets, whose players opted to donate their prize money to the children’s orphanages that competed in the youth division of the tournament.

Juric, who turns 22 in July, made five starts - and two appearances off the bench - for two goals during his short-term deal with Adelaide United at the back end of last season and will push strongly to fill the void left by Croatian striker Dino Kresinger, who was cut by the club last month after its grand final loss to Central Coast Mariners.

The Sydney-born youngster of Croatian extraction had two other A-League clubs also vying for his signature but didn’t hesitate when the Wanderers came calling.

The 189cm Juric, who scored on his debut for the Reds in a 2-1 loss to Sydney FC, is known for his energy and physicality and scored once in 12 appearances for Croatian top tier NK Inter Zapresic before his stint with the Reds.

The other pit-stops on his blossoming career were Croatian second tier clubs NK Lokomotiva and Croatia Sesvete.

Popovic, meanwhile, has also lined up another import from Croatia, where he is currently on a scouting mission to help fill the spots left after the exits of Kresinger, Joey Gibbs, Tarek Elrich and Rocky Visconte.

A free agent again after the expiration of his short-term deal with Qatari Stars League side Al Gharafa, Kewell, 34, is determined to use his four-game stint in the Persian Gulf as the launch pad to a career revival he hopes will culminate with an appearance at the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

And with Heart in the market for a star player and the Jets having an Australian marquee slot open, Kewell’s availability has piqued instant interest.

The Jets came close to snaring Kewell prior to his stint with Al Gharafa and striker Michael Bridges – a close friend of his former teammate at Leeds United – has already re-opened the channels of communication with the player voted Australia’s best ever.

Heart, whose head coach John Aloisi was a teammate of Kewell’s at the 2006 World Cup, has also flagged its interest with CEO Scott Munn saying “any A-League club would be keen on a fit Harry Kewell”.

Aloisi and his assistant Hayden Foxe are currently in Europe looking to bolster the club’s squad.

Premiers Plate winner Western Sydney Wanderers also has a vacancy for an Australian marquee and Tony Popovic is also currently in Europe on the trail of a striker following the release of Dino Kresinger.

With the former Leeds, Liverpool and Galatasaray maestro born and raised in Sydney’s west, Wanderers might be a perfect fit were Popovic willing to hand Kewell a homecoming opportunity.

Brisbane Roar, whose coach Mike Mulvey is in England scouting players, could also be tempted to make an approach.

Jets veteran Bridges was due to call Kewell – currently back in his home in England – to sound him out about a second coming to the A-League.

“Harry had a very good season with Melbourne Victory (in 2011-2012) and the Jets made their interest in him public before he signed for Al Gharafa,” he said.

“I’m going to be calling him again to see what his thoughts are. I speak to him once a week anyway and I know he’s kept himself fit and would hit the ground running if he were to give the A-League another go.

“After being out of the game for a little while before going to the Middle East (nine months following his exit from Victory) I feel he also has a little bit of a point to prove to a few people and I think he’d be a great signing for the Jets and the A-League.

“As a player, he still has a huge amount to offer.”

Another lure for Kewell at the Jets is the presence of his former Liverpool teammate Emile Heskey, who would no doubt relish the sort of service the Socceroos star would provide.

Coincidentally, Heart coach Aloisi is due in England in a matter of days and though Munn insisted Kewell is not on the club’s immediate radar, he made no secret of his admiration for Kewell.

“In our situation we’re looking for a No.10 type player, and Harry could fill that role,” he said. “We also need a striker.

“He’s not on our radar as I speak and I don’t know what his plans are because we haven’t been in touch but his qualities were very evident during his time with Melbourne Victory.

“Certainly, you would think he could offer a lot to any A-League club.”

Sydney FC CEO Tony Piganta said the prospect of Kewell coming to the Sky Blues was a “long shot” with the club already boasting Alessandro Del Piero and Australian marquee Brett Emerton.

“But hopefully he gets a club soon because that will be a boost for both Harry and also the Socceroos,” he added.

The 31-year-old will complete the final year of his deal in 2013-2014, with the Sky Blues extending the contract for a further season, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2014-2015 season.

The former Johnny Warren Medallist will finish the current season with Bani Yas, which currently sits in third position, before flying back to Sydney for a break before starting pre-season training with the Sky Blues.

“I’m really happy to be coming back to Sydney FC,” Carle said. “I enjoyed my experience in Abu Dhabi with Bani Yas but Sydney is home and I want to finish my career with Sydney FC.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Sydney FC, working with Frank Farina and doing my best for the club.

“I’ve spoken to a few of the players and there’s a real determination to get stuck into pre-season training and make sure we’re ready for the start of the season to improve on what was a disappointing season for the club last year.”

Carle played two seasons with the Sky Blues in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, playing 42 matches and scoring seven goals, as well as making five appearances in the 2011 AFC Champions League, which included one goal.

Sydney FC coach Frank Farina was thrilled Carle had decided to return to the Sky Blues as he overhauls his squad.

“It’s great news that Nick has confirmed he’s coming back to Sydney FC,” Farina said. “I have been planning for the season thinking he would be in the squad but to have it confirmed is a positive. He’s a quality player and adds a lot to our attack.”

Carle will start training with Sydney FC on 19 June and is expected to take part in the Sydney FC v Sagan Tosu friendly in Japan on 24 July.

No stranger to Central Coast supporters, Simon left the Mariners in January 2012 for K-League side Chunnam Dragons. However, an unfortunate string of injuries throughout his time in Korea Republic ended in him agreeing a mutual release from the Dragons earlier this year.

The 27-year-old has opted to return to the familiar surrounds of the Central Coast under the guidance of Graham Arnold.

The 2008 Beijing Olympian believes his first professional club can help nurture him back to the level of form which led to him being courted by, and eventually transferred to, the Gwangyang-based outfit last year.

“I am really excited to come back to the club,” Simon said. “I had a tough time in Korea with injury. But it’s a great time to come back and I am happy to be joining the champions.”

Simon said knowing he would again be working with top professionals who understand how his body ticks was a key factor in his decision to sign on with Central Coast.

“I couldn’t quite get my body right in Korea,” he explained. ‘Nealo’ (Mariners Physiotherapist Andrew Nealon), ‘Clarky’ (Mariners Head of Sports Science Andrew Clark) and ‘Arnie’ (Mariners Head Coach Graham Arnold) are the best in the business, and 100 per cent working with them again was a big part of my decision of coming home.”

“I have been back on the park and have been using the Centre of Excellence with Clarky and Nealo over the last three weeks. Slowly, step-by-step I am making progress. It’s a long off-season so there’s plenty of time for me to work on what I need to before the start of next season.”

Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold believes the Mariners have secured a major playing coup by having Simon re-join the Club.

“It is great to have Matty back,” Arnold said. “He’s a local player, a fan favourite, was born and developed on the Coast, and it’s great the supporters will get the chance to see him in our colours again.”

“At the peak of his powers, Matt is one of the A-League’s best players. We also like recruiting people who we believe will fit seamlessly into the culture we have built at the club, and we know Matt not only fits but enhances our camaraderie and culture.”

Central Coast Mariners chairman, Peter Turnbull, said: “We’re delighted to have Matt Simon back with the Club. He’s the type of player every footballers loves to play with, but hates to play against.”

“We know our fan base will share our excitement in having Matt back with us. As he is a local boy, we hope his signing will further enhance the grassroots work we will be doing over the off-season in the Central Coast community.”

After a steady start to life as an A-League professional, the former East Gosford attacker truly began to make his name in Australia’s top flight in the 2008-2009 campaign, when he scored 11 goals in just 21 appearances.

Despite playing just 14 matches for the Mariners in season 2011-2012, Simon shared the club’s Golden Boot Award alongside Bernie Ibini and Patrick Zwaanswijk, having scored seven goals in an impressive first half of the season.

While pondering the crowd of just 5,830 that turned up to see the Giants against Adelaide, the lowest at a regular-season AFL match since Fitzroy's final year of existence in 1996, Sheedy suggested football in Sydney had a distinct advantage.

"We don't have the recruiting officer called the immigration department, recruiting fans for Western Sydney Wanderers. We don't have that on our side," he said.

His comments triggered a Twitter backlash.

Sheedy was branded a 'muppet' by Wellington Phoenix's Sydney-born captain Andrew Durante, labelled a disgrace by Craig Foster and plenty worse by a plethora of fans.

It came just over two weeks after Sheedy met with the immigration department in Canberra, discussing the concept of his side's round-19 clash with Melbourne becoming an iconic game to celebrate diversity.

Sheedy, an anti-racism campaigner who has worked to improve indigenous-player pathways in his 29-year coaching career, on Monday stuck by his comments while looking to add context and perspective.

"No, no, no. Not at all (do I wish I didn't say that). It's a throwaway line to make sure that everybody understands that is why soccer can get such a quick crowd," Sheedy said in Sydney.

"And of course, quite amazingly why it's taken so long to put another (A-League) team in the west, because they've got an enormous fan base there.

" ... When I said the immigration department was one of the best recruiting agencies for soccer, well I didn't mean anything untoward by that. But it's a fact."

In a wide-ranging press conference that covered the plight of indigenous Australians and the nation's immigration policy, Sheedy talked of the barriers he felt he'd broken down regarding sport and race - adding that: "I don't think indigenous people would call me a racist".

The 65-year-old suggested he was thick-skinned enough to cope with the abuse that has been directed his way on social media.

"Racist is a pretty broad term. But people have their opinions," the four-time premiership coach said.

"Our job is to get out there and get on the front foot, withstanding - not to hurt anyone's feelings.

"But I think people just get a bit touchy on certain things, and I'm not touchy in that area at all."

Gibbs joins the Jets after 13 games and two goals for A-League Premiers' Plate winner Western Sydney Wanderers last season.

The 20-year-old made his A-League debut as a substitute for Sydney FC in the 2009-2010 A-League Grand Final win against Melbourne Victory.

“I’m very excited to have signed with Newcastle,” Gibbs said.

“Newcastle is a football town and I’m looking forward to playing in front of these fans.”

Jets CEO Robbie Middleby was pleased to have Gibbs offer another attacking option to the forward line that includes marquee man Emile Heskey, Michael Bridges and Adam Taggart.

“Joey adds a bit of extra depth to our squad, especially in the attacking third,” Middleby said.

“We’re pleased he has decided to join the Jets and everyone at the club is looking forward to working with him over the course of the coming season.”

Gibbs joins his new team-mates at training this week before flying out to Singapore as part of a 10-man Jets squad for the Singapore Soccer Sixes tournament on the weekend.

“It will be good fun and a good opportunity to get to know the boys and know what Gary wants for this season,” Gibbs said.

"For someone so young he’s achieved a lot in his career to date, but he’s still extremely hungry for more success and he’ll add some real attacking flair to our group.

"Goal-scoring midfielders aren’t easy to come by and Mitch’s track-record speaks for itself, so I’m looking forward to seeing him on the first day of pre-season training."

Nichols expressed his delight at finalising the deal that was mooted when Roar announced last week it had failed to reach an agreement with the 24-year-old off-contract star. “I’m really excited to be joining Melbourne Victory and linking up with Ange again,” Nichols said.

“I’ve enjoyed six great seasons and plenty of success at Brisbane Roar but I just felt it was time for a change, so when Melbourne came calling I didn't hesitate - even though I still had options in Europe.

“I want to thank the Brisbane fans, the club and my former team mates for all they have done for me throughout the last six seasons. I leave with fond memories and close friendships that will stay with me forever, but now I look forward to a new and exciting chapter in my career."

Nichols will join his new teammates when the playing group returns from annual leave on Wednesday, 5 June.

The 36-year-old had his best season ever in winning the A-League Golden Boot - scoring 19 goals - as the Mariners won their maiden Championship.

“I’ve stated many times that I wanted to be here and we had plenty of discussions about it,” McBreen said, after training on Monday.

“I’m just glad to get it all sorted out and to be here for another year.”

With veteran defender Patrick Zwaanswijk confirming his retirement after next week's ACL second leg in China, McBreen’s retention is even more important as the likes of Mat Ryan, Bernie Ibini and Trent Sainsbury are courted by foreign clubs.

“You don’t want to win the league and then everyone disappear and then fall away the next season,” McBreen, who admitted his future is now a year-to-year proposition, said.

“We’ve got aspirations to defend the Championship, and we’ll have a few other goals that we want to get as well, so we’ll be working hard to be as strong as ever (next season).” With captain John Hutchinson and key midfielders Michael McGlinchey and Oliver Bozanic re-signing in recent weeks, the Mariners will once again be one of the most stable in the off-season trasnfer market.

“We’ve kept a core here and when you play together for a long time you know each other’s game inside out, which obviously helps you out on the pitch," McBreen said.

"Off the pitch we have a such a good bond so it’s really good to see people committing to the club.”

Speaking after his side's 135-point loss to Adelaide at the weekend, Sheedy, while discussing the Giants' crowd of 5830 - the lowest at a regular-season AFL match since 1996 - said: "We don't have the recruiting officer called the immigration department, recruiting fans for Western Sydney Wanderers.

"We've got to actually start a whole new ballpark and go and find fans.

"Because that's what happens when you bring a lot of people through, channel into a country and put them in the west of Sydney and all of a sudden they build a club like that in one year and all of a sudden they've got probably 10,000 fans and 20,000 going to a game."

Sheedy's comments sparked an angry reaction from Sydney-born naturalised New Zealander Durante.

"Sheedy you #muppet," Durante wrote on his own Twitter account.

"If he wanted more people from the west coming 2 support... He's totally blown that now. Next home game will have 4k."

Sheedy used Twitter in an attempt to clarify his comments on Sunday night.

"All I said was that Wanderers have an advantage because most people that migrate to Australia know soccer - it's a world sport," the four-time premiership coach posted.

"We have to work a lot harder to attract people to our game and we will. I am on record for praising Wanderers and what they have achieved."

The Wanderers averaged 12,466 fans across 14 matches at Parramatta Stadium during their stellar debut A-League season in which the club won the Premiers' Plate before reaching the Grand Final. Their highest home crowd of 19,585 turned out for the Week 26 match against Sydney FC.

Ed Husic, the local member for Chifley in Sydney's west and an ardent backer of the Wanderers, said there would be a lot of people upset by Sheedy's comments.

"There will be a mix of confusion and anger," Husic told ABC radio.

"...(Those) who don't know Kevin won't give him the benefit of the doubt and it will hurt.

"But I think he'll fess up, eat humble pie and correct it."

Husic agreed it was ridiculous for allegations of racism to be levelled at Sheedy.

The 65-year-old is an anti-racism campaigner who has worked to improve indigenous-player pathways in his 29-year coaching career.

"This will be a great opportunity for us to test ourselves against J.League opposition and also allows us to get together as a group as we move towards the start of next season," Sydney coach Frank Farina said.

"We are planning a tough pre-season with a lot of matches so we can hit the ground running when the season starts."

The match will take place in Tosu City on 24 July, with Sydney departing for Japan on 22 July.

"Sydney FC has enjoyed a significant increase in exposure across Europe since Alessandro Del Piero joined the club and this allows us to increase our brand awareness in one of the critical markets of Asia," said Sydney CEO Tony Pignata.

"The game against Sagan Tosu will give us the opportunity to further increase our presence in Asia as well as give Frank Farina and the team a good hit out as we look forward to the 2013-2014 season."

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, said: "Sydney FC's friendly against J.League side Sagan Tosu will not only be a great match for sports fans, but a terrific promotion for the Harbour City.

"Sydney FC will showcase Sydney and NSW to a worldwide audience by promoting Sydney.com on their playing strip."

Sydney starts pre season training on 19 June.

The 38-year-old Dutchman, who marshalled Central Coast's A-League winning defence last season, will remain at the club, taking on the Head of Youth & Community Football role for the next three years.

Zwaanswijk’s new portfolio will mean he will coach the club's National Youth League (NYL) team, as well as act as the Mariners’ liaison with Central Coast Football (CCF) regarding the Academy pathway.

Zwaanswijk will play his final professional game on Australian soil against Marcello Lippi’s Guangzhou in Gosford on Wednesday 15 May, while his last ever game will be the reverse fixture in China seven days later.

Zwaanswijk said that after nearly two decades of playing professional football in his native Netherlands, as well as in Japan and Australia, the time had come for him to hang up his boots and commence a new chapter of his football journey.

“At a certain point there’s a transition in life,” Zwaanswijk said. “This is a great opportunity for me, so that made it a little bit easier for me to finish my career.”

“For me, it’s important to give back to football and to give back to, at this particular time, the Central Coast Mariners.”

“It’s time to step out of the way to give Zach Anderson a good chance with (Trent) Sainsbury. He’s (Anderson) shown he is a full first team player, and with me stepping out of the way it gives him the chance to get all the credit he deserves.”

Zwaanswijk rates his 2013 A-League Championship success alongside his back-to-back Dutch Cup crowns won with FC Utrecht in 2003 and 2004.

He said: “I hope there’s two more highlights in my career to come. One, the qualification to the quarter-finals in the Champions League, and two, my farewell with the Central Coast people.”

“I hope everyone is going to turn up to cheer not only me on, but the squad on, because we’re looking for a big moment and a big opportunity to beat one of the best Clubs in China.”

Central Coast Mariners coach, Graham Arnold, praised Zwaanswijk as one of the best foreigners to ever to grace the Australian domestic scene.

“When we signed Patrick he was 35 and more than a fair share of eyebrows were raised about him joining us,” Arnold said. “But he has proven his quality over the past three seasons, making an enormous contribution to the Mariners and the A-League.”

“He’s been a consistent performer for us, and his leadership qualities and ability to help other players get the best out of themselves cannot be doubted. Alex Wilkinson, Trent Sainsbury and Zach Anderson have all improved their game by playing next to him.”

Nichols has played 125 matches for Roar and was a key member of the A-League Championship double-winning side under Ange Postecoglou, who News Limited claimed played a prominent role in luring the 24 year-old to Victory.

Roar coach Mike Mulvey had been confident of retaining the services of Nichols - who had been keen on trying his luck in Europe - before Postecoglou ramped up his interest.

Roar's Managing Director Sean Dobson said the club is disappointed with Nichols’s decision, but accepted his desire to challenge himself at a new club.

“We’d like to thank Mitch for his contribution in his six seasons at the club and we wish him well in his future endeavours,” Dobson said.

“We’ve been in constant communication with Mitch and his management during this season, however at this time Mitch indicated he feels he needs a new challenge.

“From the club’s point of view, we’re comfortable knowing we did everything in our power to keep Mitch in Brisbane Roar colours.”

Nichols's departure leaves Mulvey with a gaping chasm in his midfield with Massimo Murdocca joining Melbourne Heart and on-loan midfielder Steve Lustica's expected return to his Croatian club Hajduk Split.

Ben Halloran has been linked with German Bundesliga club Fortuna Dusseldorf, where ex-Roar and Australia star Robbie Kruse excelled this season, while on-loan Dutchman Stef Neijland and James Meyer were deemed surplus to requirements by Mulvey.

Mariners star Pedg Bojic said part of the A-League premier's plan in the AFC Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash will be to adopt a physical approach in competition for the ball.

“We want to be physical,” Bojic said. “Not to the point where we want to start bullying people, but showing our presence.

"Given our fitness that we have in the last 10 minutes of every game and knowing that we’ll have to keep going in this one, that’s where we have to show another of our strengths. We keep going until the last second.”

Asked if the hard but legal approach was about letting the dangerous attacking players in the Chinese club side know that there would no easy pickings for them on the road, Bojic said: “Exactly. We’ve got a few good tacklers in the team.

“Nick Montgomery is great at breaking up play, so he’s going to be a hard man to get past.”

The super-fit Bojic said his approach from right-back would be the same.

“Yeah, of course, 100 per cent,” he said. “I’m not sure who I’ll be coming up against, but I’m pretty sure it will be someone who’s fast and technically a very good player.

“I’m prepared for that. You’ve just got to go in full of confidence, and in my position the first thing you’ve got to do is defend well to make sure they don’t get past you.

“Attacking from fullback is one of the strengths of our team, but at the same time you don’t want to get caught out down the field.”

Guangzhou Evergrande boasts seven Chinese national team players, but its best-known and highest-paid stars are from South America.

They include Argentinian Dario Conca, Paraguayan Lucas Barrios and Brazilian pair Muriqui and Elkeson.

Asked if he had seen Guangzhou Evergrande on video, Bojic said: “I haven’t yet, but I expect that will come for myself and the rest of the team at training over the next few days.

“That is usually how the process happens. We get into the specifics of who we’re playing further down the preparation.

“I’ve seen some of the individuals play with various teams and they’re great players. If I’m up against them it’s going to be an amazing experience. It will be interesting to find out what they’re really like when they’re in front of you.

“It’s a great opportunity for us on behalf of Australia, so we’ve got to go out there full of confidence. We’re in the last 16, as they are. They’ve got a bigger budget than we have and we’re well aware of that, but every club we’ve played against has had that and we’ve made it this far.

“It’s going to be a hard task, but we’re up for the job.”

Bojic said the overall approach of the Mariners wouldn’t change much from what they did in the A-League and in the ACL so far.

“What we’ve been doing all year, we’ve got to keep that going,” he said. “You’ve sometimes got to change things according to the situation, but generally our best chance is to play the way we’ve been playing all year.

“With the home advantage, you want to get the three points. You don’t want to have to go over there to chase something in the second leg. You want to go over with a good mentality towards the game.

“Three points is the aim. If we don’t get that then we would obviously want to at least get a draw, and, if so, a nil-all draw. Then you could go over there knowing that if you get a score-draw it will be enough. But the idea on Wednesday is to go out to win.

“You have to give everything you’ve got. The good thing is that, unlike in the group stage,you don’t have to worry about other results. It comes down to these two teams, and the best team wins.

“We have to go all out, but at the same time we have to concentrate on doing our jobs within the team.”

Despite an injury ravaged maiden season in which he only managed five game for the Wanderers, Minniecon is viewed as an important squad member.

“A fully fit Minniecon adds a significant spark, charisma and the ability to produce the unexpected for our club” Wanderers Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman said.

Minniecon underwent foot surgery and an extensive rehabilitation program since he was ruled out of action in January.

“At his peak he has the remarkable capacity to mesmerize defences and dazzle crowds with his uncanny skill and pace on the ball," Gorman added.

"He is a genuine crowd favourite and we are delighted that he is making a strong recovery from injury and that he will be back to his best in time for the season opener.”

The 24-year-old is looking forward to getting back on the pitch after a tough season personally but a highly successful one for the club.

“After such an amazing year for the club, despite being such a frustrating one for me personally, I’m delighted to be continuing my career with the Wanderers," Minniecon said.

"I feel very lucky to have the support of Poppa who has shown real faith in me and I am committed and excited about doing my best to repay this faith to the Coach, Club, my team-mates and the unbelievable fans who have become such an integral part of our club.”

Minnecon joins a long list of WSW players to commit their futures to the club with 20 first team players contracted for next season.

The Mariners face Evergrande in the first leg at Bluetongue Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Chinese Super League champion, which operates on a huge budget, comes to Australia with a high reputation and is led by Italian World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi.

Griffiths, who left the Mariners in 2012 to sign for Evergrande's crosstown rival Guangzhou R&F, has faced China's top team three times for two wins and a loss.

He is in no doubt about the magnitude of the Mariners' task.

”They are the best Chinese team I have played against by a mile,” Griffiths said.

”They are very strong in attack and all their foreigners are attackers.

”The players to watch are attacking midfielder Dario Conca [Argentina] and striker Muriqui [Brazil] while striker Gao Lin is the best Chinese.

”On the flip side, the defence is their weakness.

”They are very strong at home but they are confident enough to think they can win away, too.

”The Mariners must get a result this week because Evergrande are very strong in China.”

This is the first time that the Mariners, who won their first championship last month, have reached this stage of the competition after coming close last season.

A big crowd is expected to watch the match and the return takes place at Tianhe Sports Center in Guangzhou on Wednesday week.

Evergrande and Shandong Luneng are leading the Super League with 19 points but the former has a game in hand.

The club’s chief executive, Tony Pignata, said he expected a decision would be made by the end of the month on whether such a trip was viable.

“There are a few things to consider,” Pignata said. “Frank is in Brisbane on holidays. He comes back towards the end of the month and the players are back in training early in June. Frank is also completing his Pro Licence sometime in July.

“So there is a bit on and if you’re going to arrange a trip like that then you’ve got to make sure you’re getting the right opportunities, with the right clubs.

"There is nothing in concrete at this stage. We might have look at it when Frank returns to Sydney.”

Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic recently left to visit clubs in England and Europe, where part of his brief was to look for possible additions to his club’s playing roster.

Pignata said there were still several spots open in Sydney FC’s playing roster, and that the club is looking at a couple of possible signings.

McBreen forecast a tough return trip to Guangzhou’s Tianhe Stadium a week later in stressing the importance of gaining a first leg advantage against the formidable Chinese Super League champion, which boasts world cup-winning coach Marcelo Lippi and a number of international stars.

“We have such a good record at home and we need to take advantage of that so that we have something to try and hold onto when we are away," McBreen said. "Guangzhou will obviously be a different prospect at their home ground, so we definitely need to try and get the points on the board in this first game.

“I’m hoping a lot of football fans regardless of who they support get behind us and treat it somewhat as an international - it’s Australia versus China.

"It would be good to see a lot of people come out and make it a great atmosphere.”

McBreen, along with seven other Mariners’ stars were selected in the top 35 players for the A-League All Stars match against Manchester United at ANZ Stadium on 20 July.

The Burnley-born marksman admitted he is pleased by the recognition from the fans, and acknowledged the two-match test against Lippi’s team provides the perfect opportunity to impress Australia selectors.

“It’s always good to be recognised by the fans,” McBreen said. “The club did particularly well, we have had eight players selected, and it is a reflection of how well we have done.

"We’ve played great football, we have been a really good team and worked together well. It’s a good reward for a great season.

“For us it is an incentive to keep training. Most of the other teams have finished and are in their off-season now.

"We will continue on, and it’s two big games for us, we are still at 100 per cent and the intensity is high. It is good for us and gives us another chance to impress the selectors.”

Along with McBreen, Mathew Ryan, Josh Rose, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Trent Sainsbury, Pedj Bojic, Michael McGlinchey and Bernie Ibini are in the running to represent the A-League All Stars against Manchester United.

The Mariners earlier moved to clarify speculation about the role of their former coach, Lawrie McKinna.

A statement from the club said that in his role as Official Ambassador, "McKinna will be at the forefront of the Mariners’ community engagement efforts, presiding over a range of events to ensure the club continues to strengthen its bond with the Central Coast people. "In addition, McKinna will continue to complete some of the football operations duties that he currently fulfils. This will include the organisation of the team’s 2013/14 Hyundai A-League pre-season campaign." Central Coast Mariners Chairman Peter Turnbull described McKinna's changed job description as subtly different. “Lawrie is well known in Central Coast and Australian football circles and as part of our current restructure it’s true that a few of Lawrie’s football operations commitments will be absorbed by other staff,” Turnbull said. “However his input, energy and experience from a football perspective will naturally remain highly valued.”

The 21-year-old New Zealand midfielder - as first revealed by The World Game - has completed his switch from Melbourne Victory to Stuttgart after spending time in Germany sorting out personal terms.

He will now realise his dream of playing in Europe after Stuttgart confirmed on Wednesday it had signed him to a four-year deal on a free transfer.

Victory will reportedly receive $180,000 in compensation under FIFA laws.

Rojas scored 15 goals and provided nine assists in his second season with Victory, having joined from Wellington Phoenix.

That eye-catching form also attracted reported interest from several European clubs, including heavyweights Liverpool and Juventus.

He said he felt wanted by the German outfit.

"My father and I have spoken to the key people at VfB and they gave the impression that they would be really happy to have me here," Rojas told the club's website.

"For a player, it's a great thing when the club lets you know that they definitely want to have you, but it will certainly be a huge challenge."

Stuttgart, which won the 2007 Bundesliga title, is currently mid-table in the league with two games left and Rojas said he was looking forward to eventually running out at the 50,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Arena.

"I watched last Saturday's game against Fuerth and the atmosphere is impressive," he said. "I'm used to the Australian league crowds, so to see 50,000 spectators is of course something special."

His arrival has generated excitement, particularly after Rojas was dubbed the "Kiwi Messi" by some last season, but the player is keen to play down the hype.

"That's obviously an exaggeration, the Australian media like to use nicknames, but it could have been a worse one," Rojas said.

"I don't want to say too much. At the moment, I just want to get prepared for the new season and then hopefully prove myself."

Stuttgart's director of sport Fredi Bobic said the club was attracted by Rojas' pace and ability out wide.

Rojas will join fellow former A-League players including Robbie Kruse, Mitch Langerak and Nikita Rukavytsya in Germany's top flight.

The World Game understands the Italian superstar may require an appearance fee above the nominated match fee before agreeing to play in the sell-out game at ANZ Stadium on 20 July.

A-League chief Damien de Bohun moved to quell doubts about Del Piero's involvement, expressing his optimism about the chances of the Sydney FC marquee man lining up in the Ange Postecoglou-coached A-League XI.

“We have had initial discussions with Alessandro’s management about the possibility of him playing,” De Bohun said.

“Those discussions were temporarily put on hold because we didn’t want to pre-empt the voting by the fans on who should play, but now that Alessandro is way up there in the voting we will be talking to his management again.”

De Bohun told TWG there had been no suggestion that Del Piero wouldn’t be prepared to play in the game. He also said there had been no mention of a special fee in the discussions that had so far taken place.

“Alessandro hasn’t said that he would require a fee,” De Bohun said. “So it’s premature to say that would be required for him to play. At this stage, we don’t need to have that sort of discussion.

“Now that he is one of the fans’ choices, as you would expect him to be, we will have ongoing discussions and we will work with ADP, his management and Sydney FC to do our best to make it happen that he plays. We’ve had no indication that process will be difficult.”

Manchester United and its superstars, including Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Robin Van Persie, are massive drawcards in a rare trip Down Under.

FFA would be keen to have Del Piero playing in the A-League All-stars as it would represent a glowing endorsement by him of the A-League and football in general in this country.

De Bohun said he is confident Del Piero wants to play in the match.

“From the moment he set foot in the country, Alessandro has been about helping the game here in every way he can,” he said. “He supports the concept of the All Stars game, and I believe he would love to be involved.”

De Bohun said a possible game between Sydney FC – including Del Piero – and Japanese club side Sagan Tosu in Japan on 24 July would not prevent Del Piero from playing in the All Stars game.

“We’ve already established in our discussions with Alessandro’s management that if the Sydney FC game goes ahead he could play in that and the All Stars game,” De Bohun said. “The two games are four days apart, and he could leave the day after All Stars game to join his teammates in Japan.”

Asked if he knew whether Del Piero would play in the All Stars game, Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata said it was out of the club’s hands.

“It’s not a Sydney FC contractual thing with Alessandro,” Pignata said. “The All Stars game is run by the FFA, and I imagine they would have to sort things out with a number of players. The FFA will have to talk to Alessandro’s management. It’s a personal choice for Alessandro to make.”

Pignata said Del Piero is holidaying in Italy at the moment.

A-League players are not contractually bound to play in the All Stars game but, considering the magnitude of the occasion, it would be surprising if any did not want to play.

De Bohun said FFA may have to hold discussions regarding the All Stars game with the management of fellow marquee players Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers) and Emile Heskey (Newcastle Jets), but he believed all eligible players would embrace the concept.

Toronto FC announced the deal on Wednesday for Brockie, 25, to join the club during the A-League off-season. He will return to Wellington in August.

Brockie, who still has two seasons to run on his Phoenix contract, scored a club record 16 goals in 24 games last season, the second-highest in the A-League despite its last placing.

He will link with former New Zealand captain Nelsen, who retired in January to take up the role as Toronto FC coach.

Club president and general manager Kevin Payne welcomed the addition of Brockie.

"We're excited to have Jeremy join us on loan. Ryan has played with him on the All Whites and speaks very highly of him," Payne said.

"He'll provide another option in an attacking position and if he can continue his form from the last A-League season we'll be happy indeed."

Toronto has struggled under Nelsen, winning just one of its nine MLS games to be eighth out of 10 teams in the Eastern Conference and 16th out of 20 overall.

Phoenix general manager David Dome was happy to release Brockie, hoping it will help lift his game another level.

"It is a great opportunity for Jeremy as the MLS is of a good standard, and it is possible that Jeremy could come back an even better player than he now is," Dome said.

"The break between seasons in the A-League is too long and the club has been looking for opportunities for some of the players to play football in other leagues in an effort to get greater benefit from the break."

Brockie, who has 35 caps for New Zealand, was named in an A-League team of the year which puts him in line for selection in an All Stars team to play English Premier League champion Manchester United in Sydney on 20 July.

It is unclear if his loan deal will rule him out of contention for that match.

In the first stage of All Stars selection, more than 30,000 votes were cast by fans who were able to choose from each A-League club in picking 15 player squads. Fans were also able to select their preferred formation.

The fans vote accounts for 50 per cent of the 18-man squad selected from all eligible players who will take on the English Premier League Champion in July.

Central Coast Mariners star Mat Ryan was voted best goalkeeper, joining Western Sydnay Wanderers duo Nikolai Topor-Stanley - top defender, Shinji Ono - top midfielder and Sydney FC marquee Alessandro Del Piero - top striker, as the stand-out players.

The most popular formation on the fan voting was 1-4-4-2.

The A-League All Stars expert panel , accounting for 20 per cent of the overall vote, will next take charge of the squad’s evolution with key selections set to take place in the coming weeks.

A-League All Stars coach Ange Postecoglou will then use his 10 percent voting right before including his three 'coach select' players to make up the rest of the squad.

The All Stars coaching support staff of an assistant coach, goalkeeper coach and medical team, will be announced on Monday 13 May.

The top 35 players in order of fan voting

Goalkeeper:

1. Mathew Ryan (Central Coast Mariners)
2. Ante Covic (Western Sydney Wanderers)
3. Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United)
4. Michael Theo (Brisbane Roar)
5. Nathan Coe (Melbourne Victory)

Defender:

1. Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Western Sydney Wanderers)
2. Pedj Bojic (Central Coast Mariners)
3. Patrick Zwaanswijk (Central Coast Mariners)
4. Adama Traore (Melbourne Victory)
5. Michael Beauchamp (Western Sydney Wanderers)
6. Lucas Neill (Sydney FC)
7. Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar)
8. Trent Sainsbury (Central Coast Mariners)
9. Michael Thwaite (Perth Glory)
10. Joshua Rose (Central Coast Mariners)

Midfielder:

1. Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers)
2. Thomas Broich (Brisbane Roar)
3. Youssouf Hersi (Western Sydney Wanderers)
4. Michael McGlinchey (Central Coast Mariners)
5. Aaron Mooy (Western Sydney Wanderers)
6. Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory)
7. Dario Vidosic (Adelaide United)
8. Marco Flores (Melbourne Victory)
9. Richard Garcia (Melbourne Heart)
10. Marcelo Carrusca (Adelaide United)

Striker:

1. Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC)
2. Marco Rojas (Melbourne Victory)
3. Emile Heskey (Newcastle Jets)
4. Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
5. Daniel McBreen (Central Coast Mariners)
6. Besart Berisha (Brisbane Roar)
7. Jeremy Brockie (Wellington Phoenix)
8. Shane Smeltz (Perth Glory)
9. Mark Bridge (Western Sydney Wanderers)
10. Bernie Ibini (Central Coast Mariners)

Formation:

1. 1-4-4-2
2. 1-4-2-3-1
3. 1-4-3-3
4. 1-3-5-2
5. 1-4-3-2-1

A-League All Stars expert panel

Han Berger (FFA)
Craig Moore
Tony Vidmar
Mark Bosnich
Stan Lazaridis
Craig Foster
Andy Harper
Tom Smithies
Michael Lynch

There is a mix of defenders, midfielders and attackers - and even a goalkeeper.

Local players dominate the list with just three visa players among them - including the league's marquee man Alessandro Del Piero.

Some youngsters stepped up to play key roles for their teams, while some established stars re-found the type of form that made them household names.

Here are the A-League All Stars as selected by their respective clubs.

Adelaide United

Dario Vidosic narrowly edged out fellow playmaker Marcelo Carrusca to take home the club’s highest accolade, the Aurelio Vidmar Club Champion Award. Vidosic missed only two regular season fixtures for the Reds, netting a club high nine goals to complement six assists.

Brisbane Roar

Thomas Broich’s trophy cabinet would be getting quite full after claiming his second Gary Wilkins Roar Player of the Year award this season. The German is one of the competition’s most dangerous players, with his sublime footwork, pin-point crosses and endless energy culminating in two goals and 11 assists (although his form was not as good as his previous two campaigns in the A-League).

Central Coast Mariners

Many players stood out in a Mariners fantastic season, which saw the competition's 'smallest club' win the Championship for the first time and progress to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League. However, according to the players themselves, none were more valuable and consistent than defender Trent Sainsbury, who claimed the 2013 Mariners Medal. Sainsbury’s impressive ability on the ball, great sense of positioning and cool-head allowed him to edge out the league's golden boot winner Daniel McBreen and dynamic midfielder Michael McGlinchey.

Melbourne Heart

Richard Garcia proved you can teach an old dog new tricks, taking out Heart’s Player of the Year award in his inaugural A-League season. The 31-year-old was an energetic presence in the midfield for a mostly lacklustre Heart, netting six goals and dishing out four assists. Enough to hold off fellow recruit Patrick Gerhardt by the barest of margins.

Melbourne Victory

As Marco Rojas found out, being the league’s best doesn’t guarantee you’ll pick up top honours at club level. The Johnny Warren Medallist missed out on the Victory Medal - that went to Socceroos utility Mark Milligan, who racked up nine goals and two assists playing as a holding midfielder.

Newcastle Jets

The man at the back is generally overshadowed by the brilliance of swift strikers and the conductors in midfield. That is of course unless you’re Birighitti, who warded off suspension, a broken jaw and marquee man Emile Heskey to wrap up the Jets' top honour. The ever-reliable Birighitti made 22 appearances in his first season at the club, keeping five clean sheets and a total of 63 saves.

Perth Glory

After leading Perth Glory to a final spot, midfielder McGarry was awarded the club’s Most Glorious Player award for 2013. Despite lacking the scoring prowess of others, netting only three goals - two of them absolute belters, McGarry’s versatility and vision was an essential part of Glory’s second-half flourish.

Sydney FC

It will come as no surprise that Italian superstar Del Piero took out Sydney FC’s top gong in his inaugural A-League season. The World Cup winner notched 14 goals and five assists while wowing crowds with his incredible movement, technique and control. The 38-year-old also played a major role in increasing attendances, television audiences and media interest across the entire league.

Wellington Phoenix

Despite a poor season, it appears Wellington's coaching staff and members still have faith in captain Durante, awarding him the club’s Sony Player of the Year Award ahead of top goal scorer Jeremy Brockie.

Western Sydney Wanderers

With the opposition’s attention focused on Wanderers marquee man Shinji Ono, Bridge was free to do what he does best, score goals. He netted 11 in 26 games for the league’s newest franchise, enough to see him eclipse Ono for the club’s inaugural Player of the Year Award.

With only 10 names, this is how the A-League All Stars for 2012-2013 could be set up - in a 3-5-2 formation for a real match... against say Manchester United.

Now of course that would not be an uneven playing field so if you were Ange Postecoglou and could add one more player to make it a starting XI, who would it be and what formation would you employ?

Determined to give the club the best possible chance of reaching the last eight, Charlesworth – in close consultation with coach Graham Arnold – ordered keeper Mat Ryan and striker Bernie Ibini to delay intended trials with French Ligue 1 side Lille while a mooted trial for defender Trent Sainsbury at Basel has been pencilled in for 24 May.

The Mariners face the first leg of against two-time Chinese Super League champion Guangzhou in Gosford on 15 May with the return seven days later.

Had the club not stepped in, both Ryan and Ibini would not have made it back to Australia until 24 hours before the first leg, a scenario both Arnold and Charlesworth saw as untenable.

“All trials and transfers are on the backburner until we get through this tie,” said Charlesworth.

“We want to give ourselves every chance of progressing further in the competition and that means having our full squad fit and available.

“Both Mat and Bernie would not have been back until a day before the first leg (after near two-week trials) and that wasn’t going to work for us. So everything is being put off and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.

“This is a massive occasion for our club and I’m hopeful we might have a crowd of around 15,000 to watch us in the first leg.

“Guangzhou are just about the richest club in China and it’s not every day a coach of the calibre of Marcel Lippi (who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006) comes to town.

“Graham Arnold was assistant coach for the Socceroos the day Italy knocked Australia out of the World Cup (in the round of 16) with that last minute penalty in 2006, so there is a bit of history there between the coaches also.

“Their wage bill is about 100 times the size of ours but we won’t be overawed and I am sure we’ll give a good account of ourselves.

“I am convinced we will do enough at home to keep the tie alive for the second leg at the very least.”

The Mariners attracted 7,265 for the second leg of their final group match against Kashiwa Reysol, where a 3-0 loss wasn’t enough to stop them reaching the knockout stage.

And Charlesworth wants FFA to weigh in and help to promote the visit of Guangzhou in what he believes is an education process for Australian audiences not yet sold on the ACL concept.

“I think there is a perhaps a lack of understanding out there over how big this tournament is and while it's cost us money so far to compete in it, we’re now reaching a stage where there are some financial rewards and that’s good," he said.

“But there is also great prestige in going a long way in this tournament and after Newcastle and Adelaide we’re only the third Australian team to have reached the knockout stages.

“I feel with the right promotion we can attrcat a large cowd in what will be a huge night for the club. We are flying the flag for Australia now and we hope to capture the imagination of the football public countrywide.”

Sainsbury, who has been strongly linked with a move overseas, picked up the award after a superb season that saw the Mariners win the A-League grand final with a 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.

It caps a memorable day for Sainsbury, who at lunchtime was named in an Australia training camp by Socceroos coach Holger Osieck.

"I am lucky to play in a team with a number of good players, and any one of my team mates could have won the award tonight," Sainsbury said.

"We've achieved a lot this season and to be voted by my team-mates to receive this honour makes me immensely proud."

The Mariners Medal is voted for by Mariners players on a 3-2-1 basis with past recipients being Michael Beauchamp, Danny Vukovic, Mile Jedinak, Matt Simon, Joshua Rose and Mathew Ryan.

Striker Daniel McBreen collected the Golden Boot award while midfielder Michael McGlinchey won the Fans’ Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year.

McBreen and McGlinchey were also recognised for their hat-tricks during the A-League campaign - a feat never before achieved by a Mariners player.

2013 Central Coast Mariners Medal Dinner – Award Winners
• Mariners Medal Winner – Trent Sainsbury
• Fans’ Player of the Year – Michael McGlinchey
• Central Coast Mariners Golden Boot – Daniel McBreen
• Chairman’s Award – Sharon Pearce

Popovic flew out of Sydney last Friday, and is visiting selected English and European clubs with a view to studying the latest training techniques, improving himself as a coach and keeping an eye out for players.

The Wanderers this week cut four players from the squad that took them to the grand final – forwards Dino Kresinger and Joey Gibbs, midfielder Rocky Visconte and utility Tarek Elrich.

Forward Labinot Haliti and midfielder Jason Trifiro were re-signed, which completed the decision-making process on the retention or otherwise of players from last season’s squad.

Each A-League club is allowed a squad of up to 23 players, and after the Wanderers added Visconte mid-season they finished the season with 22.

With 18 players signed for next season, WSW has room for five new players to bolster its stocks.

Wanderers general manager John Tsatsimas said just how many new faces arrive will depend on what the club feels it needs and what sort of players are available.

“Tony’s over there looking at a few clubs,” Tsatsimas said. “He’s assessing what can assist the Wanderers in the future, in terms of the latest techniques and procedures.

“It’s a combination of improving himself as a coach and also looking at the way other clubs generally do things. Plus, he’s having a look to see what sort of players might be available."

Tsatsimas said Popovic wasn’t the type to let the grass grow under his feet.

“Tony’s the consummate professional. He doesn’t sit back. He wanted to get over there now, so that whatever he learns and wants to add to the way he does things he’s got plenty of time to put into practice.

“Tony has got contacts over there and we’ve got contacts as well, so this promises to be a very worthwhile trip for him.”

Popovic has plenty of experience in the English football scene. He played for Crystal Palace in the Premier League and Championship and later returned to be the club’s assistant manager in the second tier.

Tsatsimas said that while it was clear a genuine striker was a priority in the recruitment process, it isn’t easy to find the right one.

“You don’t categorise this sort of player simply as a ‘striker’,” he said. “It’s got to be the right fit for the club. Is it a tall striker, like we had last season? Or a nimble striker?

“You have to assess how the addition of a certain type of player might affect the way you play, and whether that’s the way you want to go. It’s a case of how you are going to fit it into the puzzle.

“We’ve got a few spots open. Injuries and suspensions caught up with us a bit at the end of last season, so we have to decide how many spots we want to fill.

“We’ll look here and overseas for players, but we’re not in any rush to do anything. It was patience that allowed us to form the squad that we did in the first place. It depends what sort of players become available.’

Kresinger was the main striker last season, but while Popovic was able to consistently use him because he was big and had the ability to win the ball and feed it to supporting attackers, he only managed to score two goals.

Tsatsimas said the players who had not been re-signed had accepted the decisions gracefully.

“These boys are professionals,” he said. “And they are all good people.

“It’s always hard when you have these discussions but everyone involved knows that such decisions are a fact of life in football.”

The Victorian Premier League side released a statement on Thursday - after Heart's decision to knock back the offer on Wednesday - in which it restated its desire to be involved in the A-League.

South Melbourne's statement read:

"Following yesterday’s media reports on SBS World Game, Fox Sports and Statements made by the CEO of the Melbourne Heart.

"South Melbourne FC wishes to confirm the following:

:: South Melbourne FC that it made an offer to acquire 100% of the Melbourne Heart Licence.
:: The offer was in excess of 3.5 million
:: The offer was made after several discussions between Heart & SMFC Directors.
:: South Melbourne FC has received an expression of interest from Emerson (Brazilian Legend) to coach & has already secured Major Sponsors for its A-League ambitions."

Heart CEO Scott Munn revealed the club had been in talks with interested parties from the Middle East and Europe.

"Those conversations were quite open and transparent but we made it very clear that there were some non-negotiables and one of them is that the founding owners always want to retain control," Mun told the Herald Sun.

A Heart statement on Wednesday announced the club would make a small profit for season 2012-2013, and that it would not sell a "portion of the Club's shares" to South Melbourne.

"Melbourne Heart FC can confirm this is the second time the Club has received an offer from this consortium and can confirm that it is the second time that the Club has rejected the offer," the statement read.

South Melbourne, a four time National Soccer League champion, last month was involved in talks to bail out cash-strapped Central Coast Mariners before Mike Charlesworth refinanced the A-League champion to take majority ownership.

But Mariners coach Graham Arnold said his A-League champions have no fear of their AFC Champions League opponents ahead of the first leg of the round of 16 tie in Gosford on 15 May.

Two-time Chinese Super League champion Evergrande is one of Asia's wealthiest clubs and boasts World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi.

It ensured a match-up with Arnold's Mariners when it finished on top of its group after Wednesday night's 0-0 draw with Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai.

But Arnold - who was the Socceroos' assistant coach when they played Lippi's ultimately victorious Italy in a 2006 World Cup round of 16 loss - is ready for the battle.

"Marcello Lippi is one of the world's truly great football figures and it's unquestionable he will be the most famous person ever to coach a team on the Central Coast," Arnold said.

"But, while we will show Marcello Lippi and Guangzhou all the respect they deserve, we will not fear them.

"We have a two-week preparation heading into the game and our full focus will be on achieving a positive first-leg result to take to China."

In 2011, Evergrande paid $10 million for Argentine attacking midfield star Dario Conca from Brazilian side Fluminense on a three-and-a-half year deal. He now earns a reported $12.5 million per season and is one of the highest-paid footballers in the world.

A year later, the cashed-up club signed Paraguay striker Lucas Barrios from German outfit Borussia Dortmund for a record $12 million fee, with an estimated annual salary of $9 million.

Meanwhile the Mariners, who recently struggled to pay their players before the intervention of new owner Mike Charlesworth, spend approximately $2 million in total on players per season.

It's believed the club's top earners are paid in the realm of $200,000 a year, while several younger players are on barely more than the A-League minimum wage.

Regardless, Arnold said his team was ready to prove its on-field strength in a fortnight's time.

"Our club will take enormous pride in hosting Marcello Lippi and the Evergrande team, and the match promises to be a great occasion for all Australian football fans," he said.

The Mariners will play the second leg against in China a week after the Bluetongue Stadium meeting, with the aggregate winner advancing to the quarter-finals in August.

Jurman, who played for Sydney from 2009 to 2011 before heading north to Brisbane, played all of his junior football in Sydney.

"I'm really excited and looking forward to the season," Jurman said. "I can't wait to get out there.

"It's really good to be able to come home and I know a lot of the boys still and like I said I'm really excited to get the season going. I'll give my all to the team and I won't leave anything in the tank.

"When I was here before I was basically a young kid trying to work my trade and since then I think I've grown up a lot and I've got a lot of experience playing with Brisbane and the Olyroos and I'm definitely a lot more experienced and I want to be playing as much as I can."

Sydney FC coach Frank Farina said he was pleased 23-year-old Jurman had agreed to return to Sydney.

"Matt Jurman is a good left-sided defender and he's a valuable addition to our team," Farina said.

"We need to bolster the defence and Matt's arrival does that. He's a proven A-League player so I'm expecting him to step up and play an important part in 2013-14."

Jurman is looking forward to being reunited with some familiar faces in Sydney - while mid-season signing Tiago Calvano is strongly tipped to be offered a new Sky Blues deal for the 2013-2014 camaign.

"I'm really good mates with Vedran (Janjetovic), Seb (Ryall) and Rhyan (Grant) and a few of the boys as well so it's going to be good and I'm determined to have a big season as well," Jurman said.

"The way the team was playing at the end of the year you could tell that they were playing a lot better obviously and I think they were a bit unlucky in the end but I think everyone's going to be hungry to have a big season next year and so am I so it will work out well."

Jurman, who played for Sydney's National Youth League team before being promoted to the senior squad, also set his expectations high, saying: "Nothing less than winning it (the competition). But we have to make the semis and if we make the semis we can cause a lot of damage."

The 33-year-old played 27 games latest season and scored three goals as Perth snuck into the top six.

“I’m very excited to be part of Perth Glory for another year,” McGarry said.

“There’s already a great buzz around the club, it’s going to be a pretty exciting season.

“My family and I love this city and we have built some great relationships with everyone at Perth Glory including our fans.

“People think in terms of football when you reach the age of 35 you’re finished, but people like Ryan Giggs, Alessandro Del Piero and even Jacob Burns have proved them all wrong.

After 88 games for Glory since joining the club in 2010, McGarry is looking forward to becoming a more influential member of the squad as coach Alistair Edwards looks to revamp the playing group with a focus on developing local talent.

“Realistically, it’s coming up to the last stage of my career, but I’m feeling fit, feeling great and I’m playing the best football of my career," McGarry said.

“I’m also looking forward to playing a larger role in the team, to help guide the youngsters that coach Alistair Edwards is recruiting.

"I’m excited and nervous for pre-season in a few weeks."

Edwards was delighted to keep the versatile midfielder at the club as he also confirmed the signings of two homegrown youngsters. "I'm delighted that Steve has re-signed with the club,” Edwards said.

“He’s an integral member of the squad moving forward.

“His experience will prove invaluable to our younger generation."

Cameron Edwards, Alistair's son, and 20-year-old goalkeeper Jack Duncan are the latest recruits.

Edwards (21) returns to the club after spells with Reading in 2011 and the Nike Football Academy in 2012.

"Both Jack and Cameron are youth internationals who fit into our style of play very well."

“Cameron was a former Joey and U20 international, and Jack is a current representative for the Young Socceroos.”

"The squad is coming along nicely.”

“The recent additions are in-line with generating the appropriate balance between our excellent experienced players and the up-and-coming youth."

"Alongside recent signings Danny De Silva, Riley Woodcock and Matty Davies they form an important part of the strategic squad regeneration"

The Mariners squeezed through to the group stage despite Tuesday's 3-0 home loss to Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol, to join Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets as the only Australian sides to have made the last 16.

Next up is a meeting with China's powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande and former World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi, so the Mariners realise they need all the support they can get.

"It's a fantastic achievement for the smallest club in Australia to get to the last 16 in Asia," Central Coast coach Arnold said.

"We'll work hard now over the next two or three weeks.

"In the next round, we're not just representing Central Coast Mariners, we're representing the A-League and Australia. So hopefully we'll get some Sydney FC supporters up and some Wanderers supporters up and make it a real good football atmosphere here."

Arnold said he had already sounded out the possibility of a friendly match against the country's home-based internationals during a training camp on the Central Coast next week.

With the A-League season over and a first domestic title in the bag, Arnold said his players need a game to keep them competitive.

"I'm going to maybe have to ask a favour of Football Australia," Arnold said.

"The Socceroos are in camp next week and we need a game, so it would be great if we could play the home-based Socceroos in a friendly game next Thursday just to keep us fit and give us some opportunity.

"They need a game, the under-20s need a game. We can accommodate both teams. If they'll help us, that'll be fantastic."

The Mariners will host the first leg of the round of 16 in Gosford on 15 May, with the return match a week later.

Media speculation has linked Arnold with a move away from the Mariners but he said he is already planning for next season.

The three-month hiatus until the quarter-finals means he can prepare regardless of next month's result.

"I'm very, very happy we've got another four weeks of football and that gets rid of the month of May where we probably weren't doing any football," Arnold said.

"Now our program is perfect for next season with the whole month of June and the first week of July off and then into pre-season."

The 21-year-old has spent just under a month with the club whose return to the Championship was sealed in a double relegation after a 0-0 draw with fellow Premier League straggler Queens Park Rangers on Monday (AEST).

And as Goodwin prepared to board a flight back to Sydney on Thursday morning (AEST), his management confirmed he should know this weekend whether he made a strong enough impression in a trial game between Reading’s reserves and QPR’s second string on Tuesday to persuade new Royals boss Nigel Adkins to offer him a deal.

Reading’s technical director Nick Hammond was coy over whether Reading would make an offer to the Jets for the left-back turned winger, insisted: “We wanted to have a good look at him which is why his stay was extended until the end of April after he initially came over for two weeks.

“This has been a serious exercise. We wouldn’t bring him half way round the world if we weren’t keen to have a very close look at what he has to offer.

“He’s a really nice lad and he came to us highly recommended. We certainly didn't invite him here just for the sake of it."

Goodwin, who holds a British passport, is half way through a two-year deal with the Jets and would command a sizeable transfer fee were the Royals to make a bid.

“It’s our understanding that Craig made a good impression and he played the 90 minutes of the trial game," his manager, former Australian under-23 international Zeljko Susa, said.

“The fact his stay was extended is in his favour and we are hoping to have an answer from Reading within 48 hours.”

A Reading spokesman said its development coach Chris Cummins had been impressed with Goodwin’s performance against QPR and that a decision was imminent on the rookie who Reading is looking at as a left-back, rather than a winger.

Goodwin, who enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Jets after signing from Melbourne Heart, said before leaving for England on the club’s website: “I can’t express enough how great an opportunity it is.

“You don’t get these chances every day, so this is something I’m very thankful for.

“I don’t have any expectations heading over there really; I’m just open to a great experience."

The Premiers' Plate winning club is hoping to go one better in 2013-2014 after losing the grand final in its maiden season and also has an AFC Champions League campaign to contend with next year.

Haliti, who scored five goals in 19 games, said it was an easy call to sign on for another 12 months.

"I'm very happy to be staying and playing for the best fans in the country," he said.

""This year has been an exciting one and I’m grateful to the coaching staff who believe in me and under them I can only improve.

"I’m really looking forward to the year ahead."

Trifiro made 14 appearances as a WSW foundation player.

“I’m very happy to be staying with the Wanderers, the club that gave me the opportunity to sign my first professional deal and I’m looking forward to the season ahead," he said.

The Wanderers have re-signed a host of key players for next season and beyond with marquee man Shinji Ono, captain Michael Beauchamp, A-League goalkeeper of the year Ante Covic, defenders Jerome Polenz, Shannon Cole, Adam D'Apuzzo, midfielders Mateo Poljak, Iacopo La Rocca, Youssouf Hersi and forward Mark Bridge among them.

However, earlier this week the club confirmed Dino Kresinger, Tarek Elrich, Joeys Gibbs and Rocky Visconte would not be offered new deals.

"Melbourne Heart FC can confirm this is the second time the Club has received an offer from this consortium and can confirm that it is the second time that the Club has rejected the offer," a club statement read.

Heart CEO Scott Munn told The World Game the club's board had no intention of taking this matter further.

Munn rejected claims that Heart directors were asked to recapitalise the club's finances to meet future shortfalls.

"The Club will announce a small profit at the end of this financial year," the Heart statement read.

"The Club will look forward to investing in the football department, on and off the field, and competing for a finals position in the 2013-14 Hyundai A-League season."

Munn took excpetion with the break-even attendance figure at AAMI Park quoted as 15,000 by The World Game and asserted that under the club's new stadium deal that number would be closer to 9,000.

South Melbourne, a four time NSL champion, has not hidden its A League ambition - and as recently as last month was involved in talks to bail out cash-strapped Central Coast Mariners.

Now a leading light in Victoria's Premier League, South plays at the redeveloped Lakeside Stadium with state of the art facilities, a healthy membership base and what’s considered the most advanced youth development structure in Victorian football.

The Melbourne Heart board has called a meeting for Wednesday to consider the sale of the club in a deal believed to be in the region of $3.5 million.

Heart's stadium deal at AAMI Park has expired and under any new arrangement the club will have to attract a home crowd of 15,000 to break even, which is well above Hearts average home gate last season of 8,560.

Heart club directors will be asked to either recapitalise the club's finances to meet future shortfalls or consider the South Melbourne takeover offer.

Sources close to Heart have said the majority of directors are not willing to keep funding the shortfalls after both the Victorian Government and Football Federation Australia (FFA) knocked back their request for funding assistance.

South Melbourne, a four time NSL champion, has not hidden its A League ambition - and as recently as last month was involved in talks to bail out cash-strapped Central Coast Mariners.

Now a leading light in Victoria's Premier League, South plays at the redeveloped Lakeside Stadium with state of the art facilities, a healthy membership base and what’s considered the most advanced youth development structure in Victorian football.

Any South Melbourne offer would be subject to FFA approval.

Melbourne Heart offered no comment when contacted by The World Game while FFA has yet to respond to inquiries.

Superior finishing by the J-League outfit proved the key as goals from Masato Kudo and the Brazilian duo of Cleo and Leandro Domingues proved the undoing of the home side.

But the Mariners - playing in front of a cowd of 7265 - still finished second in Group H behind runnerway winner Kashiwa after the other clash between Guizhou Renhe and Suwong Bluewings in China finished 2-2, meaning the Mariners finished a point ahead of Guizhou.

Just to add to the drama, that game didn't finish until five minutes after the final whistle in Gosford, leaving Mariners players huddled on the field nervoulsy awaiting the final whistle.

The result means they also became only the third Australian team to reach the knock-out stages of the competition after Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets.

"It has been a wonderful achievement by the guys to get to the next stage," a relieved Mariners coach Graham Arnold said.

"We have to thank Suwon for helping us, but this is no less than we deserved.

"It's been a tough six weeks for us, but we kept fighting and hanging tough."

Despite his side already having alreday qualified for the next stage, Kashiwa coach Nelsinho Baptista fielded a full strength team, including the club's Brazilian trio - Leandro, Cleo and Wagner.

After a tight first half, the game burst into life with the Mariners unfortunate not to take a 48th minute lead when playmaker Michael McGlinchey had a close-range shot cleared off the line as the home side upped the tempo.

Then Josh Rose cut inside in the 57th-minute after a clever run only to misdirect his finish on his weaker right foot.

The Mariners were hit by a sucker-punch in the 59th-minute when 22-year-old Kudo was superbly fed by Ryoichi Kurisawa, and he left exposed keeper Mat Ryan with no chance as he finished with aplomb.

With the game opening up, chances came and went at both ends and substitute Mitchell Duke made an immediate impact after coming on with a series of jinking runs.

And it was Kashiwa, with only its third chance of the game, which killed it off as a contest in the 78th-minute when a mix-up at the back allowed Cleo to bundle the ball past Ryan for the clincher.

And Leandro put the cherry on the cake with a third in the 85th-minute, Ryan unable to stop his free-kick crossing the line.

Kashiwa, which had beaten the Mariners 3-1 in its home group game, was coming off a 4-0 J-League drubbing by Omiya Ardija and looked anything but looked convincing in the early stages.

Probing with intent, Central Coast was threatening down the flanks with Pedj Bojic and Josh Rose getting forward at every opportunity to ask questions of the visitor.

Rose fired just wide in the 11th-minute and Bojic conjured some inviting crosses as the Mariners sought to add another notch to an imposing home record which had brought 13 wins from 16 games in all competitions.

But for all their enterprise, the home side strugged to create clear-cut openings with 19-goal Daniel McBreen, who only got out of his sick bed on game day, and striker Mile Sterjovski struggling to find room.

The Reds have been on the lookout for a new mentor since interim boss Michael Valkanis announced earlier this month that he would return to his previous role as assistant coach.

While the likes of ex-Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick and ex-Adelaide United assistant Phil Stubbins were heavily linked with the job, Gombau got the nod and will take up the reins at Hindmarsh Stadium in mid-July.

"I want to come to Adelaide because Australia has one of the most successful leagues in Asia at this moment and I want to enjoy this experience in the A-League because I think football in Australia is growing and it would be a pleasure for me to come to this club," Gombau said.

"I see it as a very good chance to grow in my coaching and I hope me and the club and that together we can make something nice by becoming champions in the A-League."

A qualified UEFA Pro Licence coach, Gombau will bring with him to Adelaide his current assistant Pau Marti to work alongside Valkanis.

"What we looked for in a coach was the ability to implement a football philosophy which is first and foremost successful," Adelaide United General Manager of Football Operations Michael Petrillo said.

“The by-products of the philosophy also need to produce a style that is entertaining and relevant to the modern game – a style that the players will understand and embrace as theirs.

"Josep has a wealth of experience within what has arguably been the best club in world football for the last decade.

“What is more important is that he has been able to successfully implement his own version of the football philosophy, methodology and developmental pathways at work at FC Barcelona as a Senior Coach of Kitchee in Hong Kong."

Adelaide was quick to announce Gombau's signing after he spilled the beans on talks between the parties a day earlier.

Speaking to TVB in China on Monday, Gombau revealed negotiations with Reds was at an advanced stage.

"There are some details to go through, but I think we could finish the job in one or two days," the 36-year-old said.

The former technical director of FCB Escola, a youth football academy affiliated to FC Barcelona, Gombau took over the reins at Hong Kong side Kitchee in 2009 and won back-to-back league titles in 2011 and 2012.

"I thank all the fans supporting me and Kitchee FC. Kitchee FC have done well, and your help is important," Gombau said.

"Kitchee FC still faces some challenges.

"I will still focus on my job and lead the team. I won't leave until the mission is over. [Then] I will officially say goodbye to everyone."

Hong Kong's league season ends next weekend while Kitchee is in the final of the Hong Kong Fa Cup on Saturday 11 May.

Croatian striker Kresinger is the most high-profile while Elrich was among the club's first signings less than 12 months ago.

None of the players were offered new contracts as coach Tony Popovic looks towards going one better in the 2013-2014 A-League season and an AFC Champions League campaign next year.

“The inaugural season for the Western Sydney Wanderers has been an amazing journey for the players, coaching staff, club, partners and fans," Wanderers Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman said.

"Dino, Tarek, Joey and Rocky were all part of this journey and all played an integral part in the success of the club and winning the Premiers' Plate in this historic season.

"It’s unfortunate that we are unable to retain all of the squad."

Kresinger scored twice in 25 appearances, including the opener in a 2-0 semi-final win over Brisbane Roar that took WSW into the grand final.

Elrich played 11 games in the club's inaugural season while Gibbs scored twice in 13 games.

January signing Rocky Visconte played just three games and scored a cracking goal in the 3-0 win at Newcastle Jets in Week 27 that secured the club top spot on the ladder.

It is the second time the German playmaker has taken home the prestigious medal after winning it in his debut season for Roar in 2011.

Versatile Ivan Franjic was voted Members’ Player of the Year for his committed performances throughout the campaign while Besart Berisha won the Players’ Player of Year.

The Albanian striker also took home the club’s Golden Boot award for his 14 goals.

W-League players were also honoured at the ceremony, with Katrina Gorry claiming the Player of the Year of the award and Tameka Butt the Golden Boot, after netting eight goals in the final five matches of the season.

But with the awards night signifying the official end to the 2012-2013 season, the club has already begun to look to the future, announcing a restructure of its football department for the next A-League season.

As part of the restructure Jeff Hopkins will head up the club’s National Youth League squad, while former NYL coach John Sime will assume a chief scout role for the club.

Moves that, according to Roar head coach Mike Mulvey, will nurture talent like NYL Player of the Year Ross Archibald, and Young Player of the Year James Donachie.

“Jeff is tactically astute and his one-on-one work with the young players will be of great benefit to their development,” Mulvey said.

“As someone who has worked with the first team, Jeff is completely aware of the expectations we have of our players and is in a fantastic position to prepare young players for the demands of professional football.”

Mulvey also said he was delighted to keep Sime’s vast knowledge at the club and looked forward to working with him in his new position while the search is now on for a new assistant coach.

Brisbane Roar 2012-2013 award winners

Gary Wilkins Medal for Player of the Year – Thomas Broich
A-League Players’ Player of the Year – Besart Berisha
A-League Members’ Player of the Year – Ivan Franjic
A-League Golden Boot – Besart Berisha

Young Player of the Year – James Donachie
Club Person of the Year – Matt Smith
Staff Member of the Year – Jasmyne Buswell
Volunteer of the Year – Shane Jeynes

National Youth League Player of the Year – Ross Archibald

W-League Player of the Year – Katrina Gorry
W-League Players’ Player of the Year – Clare Polkinghorne
W-League Golden Boot – Tameka Butt

Bertos, 31, has signed the deal - which has the option of a further year - ahead of his wedding on Saturday to partner Regan Kinnaird.

"It is good to get it over the line, especially as I'm getting married this weekend," Bertos said.

"It's nice to know the club wanted me to stay because I definitely wanted to be here, and it is one less headache in what is a hectic week."

Bertos, who joined Phoenix from Perth Glory, has been playing at right-back rather than his more usual attacking role, but says he has enjoyed the experience.

"Yeah, it wasn't easy but I actually enjoyed my stint at right-back and I've played a similar role in the national team," he said.

"Football is a team game and if you are asked to play a different position then you just get on with the job.

"I thought I did alright there (right-back), but I am more natural going forward and with the way we performed this season I didn't get as many opportunities to do that as I would have liked.

"You watch the top leagues overseas, and also the A-League, and see fullbacks getting forward a lot and that's what I hoped I could do.

"The way the season went my number one role was to defend and I had to learn quickly.

"In the past we have been a hard team to break down defensively but that wasn't the case this year.

"We have to learn from that and get back to not conceding goals easily."

Phoenix general manager David Dome said he was pleased the experienced Bertos would be staying with the club.

"Leo is a core member of the squad," Dome said.

"We began negotiations with him some time ago and I am really pleased he has agreed a new deal."

Meanwhile Bertos also says he is looking forward to playing alongside former Melbourne Victory star Carlos Hernandez next season.

"It is good to see top players coming back to the A-League and great that someone like Carlos is joining the Phoenix," he said.

"Football is a team game but it helps when you have someone with his talent.

"Carlos is well known for scoring spectacular goals but he also creates a lot of chances for other people and I look forward to playing off him."

In-form Ibini, 20, will journey to Ligue 1 heavyweight Lille with Mariners team-mate Mat Ryan for an anticipated 10-day trial on Saturday as both bid to further their blossoming careers.

But first-up there is the business of qualifying for the knock-out stage of the ACL to be taken care of, with J-League giant Kashiwa Reysol standing in the Mariners' way at Bluetongue Stadium on Tuesday night.

Kashiwa is already through while the Mariners are two points clear of Guizhou Renhe in second spot in Group H.

Victory would secure second spot for Central Coast while a draw might not be good enough, depending on whether Guizhou can beat group straggler Suwon Bluewings.

But Ibini – who could conceivably be playing his final game for the club - has no doubt the Mariners will leave nothing to chance.

“Our coach Graham Arnold has told us to treat the match just like the grand final,” he said.

“We all know what it would mean to reach the knock-out stage for the first time as a club and we’re proud of how we went to Korea and got the 1-0 win over Suwon 48 hours after winning the grand final against Western Sydney last Sunday.

“We’ve had a bit of time now to recover from the Suwon game and we believe we can get the win, so long as we play the way we know we can.”

Ibini – whose game has gone to a higher plain since returning in February from a trial with Belgian powerhouse Cercle Brugge – will be aiming to make another statement to Lille scouts with an eye-catching performance against Kashiwa.

“I am excited about going over there to trial,” he said. “They are a massive club and hopefully I can do well there and make an impression.

“Going with Mat, who in my opinion is the best keeper in the A-League, is an extra bonus and will make it easier for both of us,” he added.

“It’s been my dream to play in Europe and I’m doing what I can to make that happen.

“I also would love to play for the Socceroos one day and being based in Europe would make that more likely to happen at some stage.”

Lille - one time club of Mariners striker Mile Sterjovski - wants Ibini to stay for two weeks but that request has yet to be ratified by Central Coast.

The Mariners would play the first leg of a potential round of 16 clash against either China’s Guangzhou Evergrande or K-League Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on 15 May.

The return leg of that round of 16 fixture is scheduled for 22 May.

The Mariners, who are desperate to cash in on their top talent to boost their precarious bank balance, would net a transfer fee in excess of $300,000 for Ibini – who has a year left on his contract - should Lille be convinced of his potential.

If either the out-of-contract Ryan, or Ibini, land deals at Lille they would officially join the club in July.

Nigerian-born but Western Sydney-raised Ibini isn’t expecting any favours from a Kashiwa side languishing in the J-League but flourishing in the Champions League.

The Emperor's Cup winner sits in 11th spot with just 10 points from eight games and is coming off a humiliating 4-0 home loss at home to Omiya Ardija last Friday.

“Some people might think that being through to the next round, they will take it easy but I don’t believe that at all," Ibini said.

"I know the coaching staff here would never let us take that mindset into the match.

“We all desperately want to continue this Champions League journey we are on.

"I think in some ways we even surprised ourselves winning in Korea but then again with this group of players, and the spirit we have at the club, nothing should be a surprise.

“Whatever happens in my career the feeling we had in beating Western Sydney in the grand final and what we have achieved as such a small club will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Vidosic narrowly edged out fellow playmaker Marcelo Carrusca to win the club’s most prestigious individual award.

Missing just two of the Reds’ 27 games of the minor round, Vidosic finished as the Reds’ leading scorer with nine goals to go with his six goal assists to finish one vote ahead of Carrusca.

The 26-year-old finished seventh highest in the league for passing efficiency, while he also had the sixth most shots on target of any player for the season to further highlight his standout 2012/13 campaign.

“It is a great honour and overwhelming to win this award,” Vidosic said.

“At the end of the day you always look at the season from a team perspective, and not being able to hold up a trophy at the end of it is disappointing.

"But to be acknowledged on an individual note and winning an award that is named after Aurelio Vidmar who is a legend of the club, it means as lot.”

On gauging his own season, Vidosic says he was pleased to be able to contribute on the field but is determined to take his game up another level again.

“To help the team was good but I still think I can improve a lot … the bar has been set and I want to try and improve again next season and get better,” Vidosic said.

Carrusca’s stellar debut season that announced his arrival on the A-League scene and made him one of the finds of the season saw the Argentine also, like Vidosic, finish with six assists while finding the back of the net five times.

Inspirational captain Eugene Galekovic rounded out the top three in the count, but the exceptional shot-stopper did not go home empty handed as he won his fourth Player’s Player honour, an award voted on by his peers as the player to have consistently been the most valuable on the park.

Striker Bruce Djite was named Best Team Man, while exciting youngster Awer Mabil capped off his recent National Youth League Player of the Year accolade by taking out the club’s Rising Star Award and the Adelaide United Youth Team Most Valuable Player.

The squad will be on annual leave from 29 April before returning for pre-season training on 10 June.

Asked if the 1-0 win by the Mariners over Suwon Bluewings last Tuesday had left the players with the belief they were capable of winning the Asian Champions League, McGlinchey said: "I wouldn't say we’re capable of winning it, because we're not in the last 16 yet.

“We were on a high after getting the win in Korea, but we haven't reassessed our goals because we're not in a position to do that at this stage.

“We don't want to be talking about anything to do with the last 16. If we started thinking ahead, we would risk ruining our campaign. We would be mad to take that risk.”

The win over Suwon Bluewings, with McGlinchey scoring the solitary goal in a one-on-one battle with the goalkeeper after coming on as a second-half substitute, put the Mariners in second place in their group with one game left.

But exactly what result will be good enough to see them through isn't clear, because third-placed Guizhou Renhe is just two points behind the Mariners and is at home to Suwon Bluewings in the other match.

If Guizhou Renhe wins, then only a win will get the Mariners through.

Two teams qualify from each group for the last 16, and Kashiwa Reysol is guaranteed of advancing in first place because of its four-point lead.

McGlinchey said the Mariners had done pretty well when it came to hitting their season targets so far, and that concentration on the job immediately in front of them was the key to doing that.

"We wanted to win the Premier's Plate, the championship, and qualify for the last 16 in the ACL," he said. "We just missed out on the plate, but we won the championship and now we've got the chance to realise our ACL goal.

“Only if we hit our target will we reassess our ACL goal. If we got caught up in thinking beyond that now, it would be dangerous, but I don't think that will happen.

“We're a group of professional footballers and everyone in that group would understand that the only game we can think about is the one on Tuesday night."

It remains to be seen whether Kashiwa Reysol leave some regular starters behind on this trip, since their position on the table can't be affected by the result.

But there is also the possibility fourth-placed Suwon Bluewings could do the same in the other game, since they can't make it out of the group stage regardless of their result.

McGlinchey said the Mariners have simply got to concentrate on trying to win.

“We're probably the smallest club in the A-League," he said. "Kashiwa Reysol are a big club, with a lot of good players. Whatever team they field, they are going to be hard to beat.

“We've had a fantastic season, and the street parade here in Gosford on Friday to mark us winning the championship was a great way to celebrate that. But now our focus is on this big match on Tuesday, and what we have to do to succeed there."

McGlinchey said the Mariners, forced to travel to Korea the day after winning the A-League grand final and then play the next day, would have gladly taken a nil-all draw before the game against Suwon Bluewings.

“I don't think anyone in the world was dreaming we were going to win, considering the circumstances,” he said. “We were going to be content with a point. A win was going to be a bonus, but we got the bonus, which was great.”

McGlinchey had run the ball into the penalty box countless times during the A-League season and then either taken a shot himself or attempted to set up a teammate.

He said that experience had given him the confidence he needed when a pass from Ole Bozanic put him into the clear against Suwon Bluewings.

“It put me in good stead for that one moment,” McGlinchey said.

Arnold claims his Central Coast Mariners, who clinched their first domestic championship title last Sunday, are probably the only club in the A-League prioritising local talent over foreign imports.

"I think all other clubs need to follow suit because it's damaging the national team,'' said Arnold ahead of the Mariners' home Asian Champions League clash with Japan's Kashima Reysol on Tuesday.

"The Socceroos, at the moment, if you talk to (national coach) Holger (Osieck) he has trouble picking any players because there's too many foreigners in the A-League, in my view.

You've only got nine (Australian) teams in the A-League and one ... New Zealand team (Phoenix).

"If every team has five foreigners that's 45 field players that take the pitch every week that are foreign and only 45 Australians.

"It's not that many players for national teams to choose from.''

While Arnold lauded the likes of marquee signings Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC) and Emile Heskey (Newcastle Jets), he suggested clubs needed to be more selective with the quality of international players brought into the domestic league.

He stopped short, however, of saying there should be a cap on imports.

"Del Piero and Heskey, they've taken the league to another level. Those type of players, they're welcomed in this country,'' he said.

The breakthrough season of Brisbane-product Kruse has awakened Fortuna to the potential of raw Australian talent and the club has been tracking Halloran, 20, for some time and it’s understood a deal is close.

Halloran, who made 24 appearances and netted four goals as Roar came within a game of reaching this season’s A-League grand final, has two years left on the three year deal he signed last year after being snapped up by Brisbane from the ashes of Gold Coast United.

And should the kid from Cairns join fellow Queenslander Kruse in Dusseldorf, it is likely he will attract a transfer fee in excess of $400,000.

However sources in Germany say that Dusseldorf, which is in the midst of a relegation fight under coach Norbert Meier, will not make a final decision on any signings until its fate has been determined. It lies 15th on the ladder with four games left, three points ahead of fellow basement dweller Augsburg.

The side which finishes 16th will face Bundesliga 2 opposition in a promotion-relegation play-off.

Dusseldorf, which has relied heavily on the blossoming ability of Kruse this season, is without a win in eight games and faces the might of Mitch Langerak’s Borussia Dortmund early Sunday morning (Australian time) hoping that Jurgen Klopp rests some of his stars ahead of next week’s return UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.

Should it be relegated, Kruse will almost certainly be snapped up by another Bundesliga outfit – such is the impression he has made this season.

In front of more than 500 guests, McGarry polled 22 votes to win the MGP by just three votes from left full-back Scott Jamieson.

McGarry, 33, missed just one game this season and scored three vital goals, including a stunning strike against Brisbane Roar in December.

That goal against the Roar was judged the Goal of the Year, a new award that is chosen by Perth Glory Chairman Tony Sage.

To cap a sensational season for the Scottish star, McGarry was also voted the Players' Player of the Year by his fellow teammates.

"It's pretty unbelievable, I honestly didn't expect it. It's my first award from Perth Glory and to walk away with three awards, including the big one is a great feeling." McGarry said.

"Looking back, I thought that I had a really consistent season and was lucky enough to stay away from injury. I played most of the games so that put me in good stead for it.

"It's a career highlight to win the most valued player award especially with Perth Glory because it's a club I'm pretty fond of so it's really special."

Perth Glory coach Alistair Edwards was full of praise for the versatile midfielder acknowledging McGarry's stellar season.

"In the short time I have been at the club, Steve's contribution to the team's playing performance has been immense, his versatility is a major plus for the club", Edwards said.

"Steve is highly respected by the playing group and everyone associated with the club.

"He also has a highly infectious jovial attitude which alongside his outstanding playing performances and winner mentality provides the club and football in Western Australia with a valuable asset moving forward."

Dashing full-back Josh Risdon, midfielder Liam Miller and forwards Shane Smeltz and Travis Dodd were also award winners on the night.

Risdon claimed the Supporters' Player of the year, Miller was voted the Volunteers' Player of the year, Smeltz won QBE's Golden Boot award while Dodd was also recognized for his outstanding efforts on and off the field, taking out the Clubman of the year.

Perth Glory's Youth team and W-League side were also part of the club's night of nights with Riley Woodcock and Aivi Luik winning major awards.

Woodcock, who signed a professional contract with the club late in the season was named NYL Player of the year while Luik, a Westfield Matilda was awarded the W-League Player of the year.

The Central Coast manager, gleaming with pride after the Mariners' inaugural grand final victory parade through Gosford on Friday, said he was happy to see out the one year left on his contract and dismissed as speculation claims that various Asian and European clubs had expressed interest in him.

"I have not heard anything from anyone - it's all news to me," Arnold said. "I've got another year at the Mariners and I'm very happy here."

Having finally secured the Mariners' first A-League title on Sunday after losing three previous deciders, Arnold admitted he had no idea about the likelihood of being picked up by a major overseas club.

"I've got the ambition, though. I'm like a young player in Australia that has ambition to play overseas," he said.

"I've been in the Australian set-up, coaching with the national team for 10 years, and now three years here (at the Mariners).

"I've always been someone that wants to challenge myself or test myself.

"I have the ambition one day to coach overseas but whenever that is I don't know."

Central Coast chairman Peter Turnbull says neither he nor the club will stand in the way of Arnold's international pursuit but is hopeful of holding onto the 49-year-old for another year.

"I think we'll keep him," Turnbull said.

"I think he'll stay but we'll have to wait and see what he decides to do after that.

"Arnie wants to be a pioneer as a coach like he was as a player.

"He wants to be an Australian coach, coaching the top level of world football - that's what he wants, that's his ambition. We'll basically support him when that time comes."

Asked about the importance of keeping Arnold to nurture the side's younger prospects, Turnbull admitted the coach played a key part in their future.

"The thing about the Mariners is they've got a marquee coach and we give Australian youth the opportunity to shine," he said.

"Our squad for next year will be fantastic. But how similar it will be to this year's title-winning team is unknown."

While no offers had been made, Turnbull confirmed there had been expressions of interest from major European clubs in at least three players - defender Trent Sainsbury, goalkeeper Mat Ryan and striker Bernie Ibini.

Off the field, the Mariners will be without inaugural chief executive John McKay, who was let go by new owner Mike Charlesworth this week as part of refocusing the club.

Part of that new direction will be reconnecting with fans, Turnbull said, including through community forums.

"Everyone loves winners and we've got to really take advantage of our success - hopefully get more members and people through the gates," Arnold said.

That mission begins on Tuesday, with Turnbull announcing that tickets for the Mariners' final Asian Champions League group home match against Japan's Kashiwa Reysol at Bluetongue Stadium had been slashed to $10.

It came shortly after the chairman told the 7000-strong crowd that the cash-strapped Mariners were debt-free.

"Our bills have been paid. We have settled today with the tax office and the Mariners are now here to stay," Turnbull said.

A sea of yellow and blue flooded Gosford's CBD on Friday to cheer the Central Coast Mariners, who claimed their first championship title on Sunday.

More than 5000 people lined the streets and filled the city's Kibble Park as the Mariners danced and chanted along with the crowd while showing off their silverware aboard a double-decker bus.

It didn't matter that the celebration with their fans had been delayed by the Mariners' Asian Champions League (ACL) commitment in South Korea on Tuesday.

"It's quality. I'm just happy to see so many smiling faces - it's just unbelievable," McBreen croaked while signing autographs after the parade.

Skipper John Hutchinson, the only player to have featured in all four of the Mariners' grand final appearances, relished the occasion.

"It's an unbelievable turnout and the boys are so appreciative of everyone coming out and showing us support for the whole season," said Hutchinson.

"Every single one of you - from members to people just turning up or wishing us well on the street.

"We are very grateful. We are a very lucky team to have such great supporters and hopefully we can repeat it next year."

Coach Graham Arnold urged the crowd to continue their celebrations at nearby Bluetongue Stadium on Tuesday for the Mariners' final ACL group match at home against Japan's Kashiwa Reysol.

A win would secure them a place in the last-16 knockout phase for the first time.

It would represent a third piece of club history in little more than a week following their maiden A-League title and first ACL away win in nine attempts against Suwon Bluewings in South Korea on Tuesday.

Marquee star Shinji Ono, goalkeeper Ante Covic and defenders Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Jerome Polenz all won spots in the Professional Football Australia (PFA) team of the season.

Western Sydney's Tony Popovic was also named coach.

Melbourne Victory also had four players named in the overall 16-man squad including team captain Mark Milligan, with Archie Thompson included on the five-man bench.

Seven A-League clubs were represented in the team.

Sydney FC's former Italy international Alessandro Del Piero was also picked after his stellar season.

PFA team (4-3-3): Ante Covic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Jerome Polenz (Western Sydney Wanderers), Trent Sainsbury (Central Coast Mariners), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Western Sydney Wanderers), Adama Traore (Melbourne Victory), Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory, capt), Michael McGlinchey (Central Coast Mariners), Jeremy Brockie (Wellington Phoenix), Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC), Marco Rojas (Melbourne Victory)

Substitutes: Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Michael Thwaite (Perth Glory), Marcelo Carrusca (Adelaide United), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Daniel McBreen (Central Coast Mariners)

Coach: Tony Popovic (Western Sydney Wanderers)

Referee: Strebre Delovski

Speaking at the Mariners champion's parade in Gosford on Friday, Arnold reaffirmed his commitment to the club which he has guided to two of the past three grand finals.

"I’ve not heard anything from anyone, it’s all news to me," Arnold said. "I’ve got another year at the Mariners and I’m very happy here.

“I’ve got ambition. I’m like a young player in Australia that has ambition to play overseas.

"I’ve always been someone that wants to challenge myself or test myself, but whenever that is I don’t know.

Arnold praised fans who flocked to Gosford in their thousands to support the team as it paraded its prized trophy.

“It’s a fantastic roll-up but the support all year has been very very good," he said. "We’re only a small community up here with 300,000 people and we get around 10,000-11,0000 people at every game.

“Let’s hope it has a huge effect today. Everyone likes winner and we’ve got to take huge advantage of our success and hopefully the crowds will get better."

Arnold's view was shared by Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth, who admitted he wasn't anticipating such a large turnout.

"It’s much bigger than I expected actually and it does prove the support that we have here," Charlesworth said. "Hopefully a lot of these people who have turned up today will turn up for future matches and we can really build on today.

"It’s a very important platform for our future."

Charlesworth spoke to The World Game this week about the financial hardships facing the club, revealing he is in talks with Football Federation Australia (FFA) about how to ensure its ongoing financial viability on the Central Coast.

“It is a tough market on the coast to crack and I think traditionally people have said it’s not a football region, well I think that’s been disproved today," he said. "It’s a case of getting back to basics. We’ve got to get into the community and find out why they’re not coming.

“Our single biggest priority is getting back to becoming what we’re really good at and that is a community club.

"We’re going to be working very hard in the community with local clubs and organisations and that’s the only way that we can build a sustainable model for keeping a professional club on the coast.

“There’s a lot of enthusiasm here. No we’ve got to put it together and it’s a very exciting time for us.

“I want to see a football revolution here on the coast."

The Mariners will hoipe to continue their stellar season on Tuesday night with a strong performance in the AFC Champions League match against Japanese club Kashiwa Reysol.

A win would see the A-League club, which is second in Group H on seven points, advance to the knockout rounds. A loss or draw would ensure a nervous wait, with third placed Ghuizhou Renhe two points behind Mariners and hosting Suwon Bluewings in its final group match.

"The ACL is huge," Arnold said. "For me it’s as big as the grand final. This match is a chance to make history at this club."

Fans are encouraged to pack Bluetongue Stadium for the crucial match with ticket prices slashed to $10.

Charlesworth is making some tough decisions as he bids to restructure the A-League champion to ensure its longevity and stave off possible relocation away from its Gosford habitat.

And McKay, who had been in his role since 2004 but for a brief spell in 2001, was sacrificed as part of a cost-cutting program aimed at stemming losses of $1 million a year.

“I’d like to thank John for the endeavour he put in over the years and he did a fantastic job in keeping the club together,” said the Englishman whose intervention last month saved the Mariners from drowning in red ink.

“Going forward, the reality is I couldn’t afford him. We’ve decided to make changes … and we need to because this club has been living on credit for a number of years now,” said Charlesworth.

Charlesworth also said he did not yet know whether coach Graham Arnold, whose latest rabbit out of the hat has guided Central Coast to the brink of qualifying for the next stage of the AFC Champions League, will stay or go.

“Our plan A is that he stays and keeps working his magic but we also have a Plan B in place which is predicated on what happens if he goes,” he added.

“There’s no doubt he’s in demand and, as of now, I don’t know what he will do. He does have a year left on his contract but if he receives a good offer then we will not be about to stand in his way. We will sit down and chat but I can’t force him to stay.”

Charlesworth paid homage to his Mariners team which upset the odds to overcome K-League high-flyer Suwon Bluewings 1-0 in its own backyard on Tuesday – just 48 hours after beating Western Sydney in the A-League grand final.

“They had no time at all to prepare for the game, and taking that into account along with all the travelling involved, it was a superb performance.”

With Central Coast to face the already-qualified Kashiwa Reysol in its final Group H match at Bluetongue Stadium next Tuesday, Charlesworth added: “We’re now in a great position to qualify [Mariners are two points clear of third placed Guizhoe Renhe].”

Charlesworth signalled out young defenders Trent Sainsbury and Zac Anderson – whom he hailed as a future Socceroos pairing at the back – for special praise.

“They were mountains for us,” he said. “Both of them have huge futures ahead and can go very far in the game. I see them playing together for Australia.”

Despite reports in England claiming a firm $560,000 offer for Sainsbury had been tabled by Bolton, it transpires that all the Championship club has come up with to date is the offer of a trial. The only other club to take significant interest is FC Basel, with Sainsbury yet to decide on which of the two he may opt for.

Inspired by the fans forums which helped shape WSW into one of Australian sport’s rising forces, Charlesworth will be staging a series of Mariners fans forums over the next few months to take the temperature of the club’s grassroots followers.

“I feel we have to re-engage with our population up here on the Coast and this is about building football in the area,” he said.

“It’s about what the fans want from us and what more we can to do meet their wishes and work with them and for them. The relationship with the supporters, and building that fan base and memberships, is the key to the future sustainability of this club.

“We have several initiatives in the pipeline, which will be revealed shortly.”

Football Federation Australia chief David Gallop and NSW Minister for Sport, Graham Annesley, were among a packed auditorium for the Wanderers' Medal Evening, in which Bridge was also awarded the club's golden boot with 11 goals.

The 27 year-old, who joined Wanderers in June after being released from the final year of his contract at Sydney FC, spoke of his decision not to drink alcohol this season in an attempt to revive his stalled career.

Bridge described the experience of losing the grand final to Central Coast Mariners as "bitter sweat", given he felt he'd produced career-best form this season.

Bridge won the Championship at his past two clubs, Sydney FC (2009-2010) and Newcastle Jets (2007-2008) - matches in which he scored the winning goal both times - despite admitting he had worked harder than ever this season after making a commitment to Wanderers coach Tony Popovic.

Wanderers defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley was voted by the fans as WSW's player of the season, while Servet Uzunlar took out the gong for W-League Player of the Year.

Yianni Perkatis, who made his A-League debut against Newcastle Jets on 29 March, won the National Youth League Player of the Year.

Western Sydney Wanderers 2012-2013 awards winners:

A-League Player Of The Year - Mark Bridge
A-League Golden Boot - Mark Bridge
Members Player Of The Year - Nikolai Topor-Stanley
W-League Player Of The Year - Servet Uzunlar
National Youth League Player Of The Year - Yianni Perkatis
W-League Golden Boot - Louise Fors

The central defender, capped by New Zealand this year despite being born in Sydney, was named Phoenix's player of the year for a second time to deny Brockie a clean sweep of the major awards.

The 30-year-old, who also won the award in 2010, presided over a tumultuous season for the Wellington side, which saw foundation coach Ricki Herbert dumped and the club finish bottom of the A-League.

Brockie, who scored 16 goals this season, won players' player of the year to go with his Golden Boot award.

Louis Fenton, 20, was under-23 player of the year.

The 31-year-old Australia midfielder also shared the John Aloisi Golden Boot Award with striker Josip Tadic and claimed the fan-voted Supporters Player of the Year prize.

Garcia played 24 matches and scored six goals in his first season in the A-League and the former West Ham United and Hull City player earned the praise of Heart coach John Aloisi.

"Richie demonstrated his key qualities on the pitch this season through a number of notable performances," Aloisi said.

"His experience at an elite level was evident and he provided an important impetus from midfield.

"On behalf of everyone at the Club, we congratulate Richie on his achievement."

Hutchinson told The World Game he watched Tuesday night's game in the lounge room of his Terrigal home with fellow suspended Mariners player Brent Griffiths and a group of friends.

"We're the smallest club in Australia, which makes us a tiny club in Asia, and the boys have gone to Korea and beaten one of the biggest clubs in Asia to go to second place in the group," Hutchinson said. "I couldn't be more proud of them - it's a fantastic achievement.

"It's a pivotal result for football here. It's one of the great results for the game in this country. The Mariners are representing the A-League, and now we're in with a big chance of progressing beyond the group stage, which would be the first time for this club if it happens.

"I messaged 'Arnie' (Mariners coach Graham Arnold) and the boys after the game last night. I wanted to let them know how proud I was of what they had done. They were buzzing about the result, they were on a real high."

Hutchinson said he had been bursting with excitement during the match, particularly at the key time when substitute Michael McGlinchey scored the only goal of the game, in the 80th minute.

"It was a magnificent performance by the boys," he said. "I wasn't expecting them to play as well as they did, considering we played the grand final on Sunday and they then had to fly to Korea and didn't get there until late on Monday night.

"I've never shouted so much at the TV in my life. Brent Griffiths came over to watch, and we had some other mates with us. We were screaming at the TV. We were all standing up for the last 10 or 15 minutes, willing the boys on. We were too excited to sit down.

"It was a great ball by Oli Bozanic that put Michael McGlinchey on the way to goal, and his finish was great. The Mariners have gone over there with so much against them, and they've kept the team that is second in the K-League scoreless at home.

"Suwon Bluewings are a big team, with a big budget, but we beat them, which is tremendous. Now, we've got to back it up by making sure we do well enough in our last group game to make it through to the next stage."

The Mariners will play their final group game against the leader of the group, Japanese team Kashiwa Reysol, at Bluetongue Stadium on Tuesday.

Hutchinson said the key to the win was the attitude of the Mariners players after they won the A-League grand final against Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney.

"After the grand final, we had the mums and dads and wives and kids in the dressing-room, which was a really nice touch," he said. "Then we went back to the team hotel. We had a couple of drinks, but most of the boys were in bed by 11pm. We had to check out of the hotel early on Monday.

"The boys must have been fatigued over there in Korea, but they were on a high from the grand final and the fact they looked after themselves after Sunday's game has proved enormous. It's been a massive effort by the team and the coaching staff.

"I can't believe what they've done over there - it's fabulous."

Hutchinson said the Mariners weren't upset at not being able to properly celebrate their grand final win before heading off for the ACL game.

"There's plenty of time for celebrations down the track," he said. "One of our main goals before the season started was to advance from the group stage of the ACL, and now we've got the chance to do that.

"We've got a great record at home, and we'll be playing to win that game next Tuesday. The boys fly back in on Thursday, and we go back to training on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to linking up with them again for this game."

The Mariners are eyeing more club history after posting their first-ever Asian Champions League away win on Tuesday night, a 1-0 victory over Suwon Bluewings in South Korea.

But first they will regroup and take in what they have achieved.

Coach Graham Arnold didn't stop his players from lifting a glass after Sunday's A-League grand final win but the 48-hour turnaround for the ACL assignment meant things were perhaps more muted than they might otherwise have been.

There were no such worries after Tuesday's victory - the Mariners' first away win in three ACL campaigns.

"They can let their hair down for two nights after that," Arnold said.

"I have no hair to let down, so I'll be to bed."

Central Coast now sits in second place and has a full week to prepare for a final ACL group match against leader Kashiwa Reysol that will decide whether it makes it through to the knock-out stages for the first time.

That means there's plenty of time for heads to clear, even with Friday's A-League title victory parade through Gosford.

An appearance in the next round of the AC League on top of a domestic championship should by all logic be beyond a club of Central Coast's size and resources, but that is now a real prospect after Michael McGlinchey's 80th-minute winner at Suwon World Cup Stadium.

Even defeat against already qualified Kashiwa Reysol could send Central Coast through if the Bluewings do it a favour against Guizhou Renhe in next Tuesday's other Group H match.

"If we can win at home, it's history," Arnold said. "When I came here to the Mariners, we had never won a game in the ACL."

The Mariners only arrived in South Korea on Monday evening, a day after goals by Patrick Zwaanswijk and Daniel McBreen secured a 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers and a first A-League title from four grand final appearances.

But there was surprisingly little evidence of fatigue as Arnold trusted momentum and morale to get his charges over the line by starting with seven of the 11 players who lined up in Sydney on Sunday.

The canny deployment of Nick Montgomery in a deep role to shield the defence added energy and bite in a crucial department but there were committed performances all over the pitch.

Suspended skipper John Hutchinson was the only player not to travel and, while Mile Sterjovski, Zwaanswijk and McGlinchey didn't start, all three made it onto the pitch as second-half substitutes.

"If we can perform the way we did tonight and play the way we have been playing at home to Reysol, then hopefully we can get the result we need," Arnold said.

Suarez, who is facing a probable eight-game FA ban after chewing into the arm of Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, remains the club's most captivating player and its biggest box office drawcard.

But Rush, himself a goal king for the Merseyside giant, claimed that Suarez's apology and the club's swift action to fine and publicly castigate the Uruguayan should go some way to putting the episode to bed.

"He's a fantastic player and I am sure he will be here on the pre-season tour," said Rush at the MCG on Tuesday in his role as a Liverpool ambassador at the press conference to launch the Reds' tour. "He's an absolute champion."

The 24 July glamour game is set to woo a sell-out crowd to the MCG with Liverpool expected to net up to $4 million and Victory around $500,000.

The next wave of tickets go on sale on Wednesday as demand runs hot.

Following a sell-out first wave, it has been confirmed that a further 5000 allocation will be available through ticketek for the duel between the Premier League giant and the A-League powerhouse.

A further 1800 Members tickets will be available on Friday.

It’s Liverpool’s first visit to Australia and the fixture against Victory is just one element of a programme of activity – on and off the pitch - that the club is delivering in 2013 to bring Australian fans closer to the team.

As well as a full squad, the club will be bringing over staff from the Liverpool FC Foundation to carry out work in the community throughout the visit whilst an official LFC Facebook page has been launched exclusively for Australian fans to complement an official LFC Australia and New Zealand Twitter account - @LFCANZ – launched in January.

Ian Ayre, Liverpool's managing director, said: "We knew we had a large fan base in Australia and we were overwhelmed by the response to the first wave of ticket sales. The whole Club, including players and staff, are thrilled to be visiting Melbourne and are looking forward to meeting our LFC family in the Pacific.”

Anthony Di Pietro, Melbourne Victory Chairman, said: “Liverpool is one of the most famous clubs on the planet and the fact that they’ve opted to play Melbourne Victory on their first ever tour to Australia is great recognition for our club and the progress we’ve made in our short history.

“This truly is a momentous occasion for not only football fans, but sport fans in general, and where better to host such an event than one of the world’s most iconic sporting arenas – the Melbourne Cricket Ground.”

Rush added: “Australia is very special to me. My last few games as a professional footballer were played for Sydney Olympic so the country has a special place in my heart. I’m very excited about Liverpool FC coming out to Australia and I have no doubt that they too will enjoy their time in Oz as much as I did."

Founded in 1892, Liverpool has won 18 League Titles, seven FA Cups, eight League Cups, five European Cups, three UEFA Cups, three European Super Cups and 15 Charity Shields.

Vitor Sobral is joined by Seb Hassett, Costas Kilias and Clint Bolton to wrap up the A-League grand final and reflect on a fantastic season for the podcast, highlighted by the rise and rise of Zdrila's Awesome Promos.

This week we chart Zdrila's journey to promo prominence in a moving documentary that captures his humble beginnings, pressure to live up to expectations and ultimate defiance in the face of adversity.

We also sign off on a stellar year for the A-League on and off the pitch.

The World Game Podcast - 23 April by SBS The World Game

Don't have time to listen to the pod now? You can subscribe via iTunes or any other podcasting software by simply following the link here, and clicking the orange 'RSS' button in the top right corner.

But Central Coast's 2-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers still recorded a TV audience almost 50 per cent bigger than last year's decider.

Around 297,000 saw the final on Fox Sports, according to OzTAM, making it Sunday's most-watched program on pay TV.

That compares to the 200,600 viewership last year.

But the match was far from a runaway ratings success.

The AFL's Melbourne v Greater Western Sydney game (second last v last) attracted a national pay TV audience of 234,000 on Sunday afternoon.

Even a delayed free-to-air telecast of rugby league's City v Country Origin, shown only in NSW and Queensland, had about 323,000 viewers - 26,000 more than the A-League battle.

That is in stark contrast to the record-low crowd of 4,655 at the Coffs Harbour Origin clash, and the 42,100-strong attendance at Allianz Stadium.

Charlesworth is seeking to lobby Football Federation Australia (FFA), the NSW state government, Football NSW, Gosford Council and Central Coast Football to help secure the club’s future at Bluetongue Stadium amid interest from consortiums seeking to transplant the club elsewhere in Australia.

Charlesworth conceded for the first time that the club could be lost from the Central Coast unless it can rein in annual losses of $1 million each season. The World Game understands the club's tax bill is in the vicinity of $3.5 million.

“There are groups in cities elsewhere in Australia, including Melbourne, which would like to see us play in their backyard and cease to be the club of the Coast,” said the Englishman.

Charlesworth became the sole owner of the Mariners in March, with a cash injection to cover unpaid player wages and the cost of completing construction of the stalled Centre of Excellence at Tuggerah.

“We are fighting to keep this club in Gosford where it belongs. And I will be spearheading a 'Keep the Club on the Coast' campaign to try and achieve that end," he said.

“It’s definitely not our preferred option to let the club move elsewhere. We need to engage with a lot of parties and powers that be to help us achieve this and it’s going to be a very tough two years ahead of us financially.

“It's about building something sustainable and it’s not going to be easy – but it’s certainly possible.

“But if we can’t achieve our goals then we would have to look at all available options and the club leaving Gosford is one of them. Football in our region would suffer greatly if we were forced to move."

FFA boss David Gallop said that regardless of what the situation with the Mariners might be at the moment, there was no suggestion they would be relocated.

"There are absolutely no plans to move the club," Gallop said.

Asked if he was worried about the Mariners, Gallop replied: "I would say the Central Coast Mariners is a challenging market. There has recently been a restructure among the shareholders that gives Mike Charlesworth complete control of the club, and there is a significant property investment which will hopefully be a major part of the club's future. We have been in constant dialogue with the club for a long period of time and will continue to assist them where we can."

There was no indication from Gallop that Charlesworth had asked FFA to bail the club out financially.

"We have been talking to them for months," Gallop said. "(But) we haven't played any active role apart from monitoring the situation. We're working with them."

Asked if the FFA had heard from any consortiums willing to take over the Mariners and relocate them, or whether he was aware of any such interest, Gallop replied: "No. There have been potential investors around the club for a while, but at this stage those are not being pursued."

Charlesworth said he doesn’t have the means to keep the club afloat indefinitely while it continues to bleed financially.

“The reality is we can’t afford to keep losing money,” Charlesworth said. “I was the only person to step forward when the club need a bailout and I was happy to do and cover some of excesses of the last three years. But my pockets are only so deep.

“We have been living on credit for three years I have been at the club (first as a director and now owner). I don’t think a lot of people understand that.

“But if I run out money. What happens then? Certainly shifting the franchise would be a last resort.

“We have a great platform here to launch what I hope will be a football revolution on the Coast.”

“I feel we have lost touch a little with our core supporters over the last few years,” he said. “We want to reconnect with them and make the local people feel a part of the Mariners again.

“We want to build a better model and we need help in achieving that. It’s something I will be sitting down and discussing with the FFA.

“I want to see the game grow on the Coast, I think participation fees are far too high for kids some of whom are being priced out of the game because they can’t afford it. That has to be wrong.

“We want to build memberships and build the backbone of the club. We’re at a disadvantage to the other clubs because we don’t have a raft of business entities on the Coast and that makes sponsorships tough.

“This was always going to be a challenge and the hard work starts now. But I am confident we will get there in the end.”

With the Mariners needing to sell to survive as new owner Mike Charlesworth seeks to cut losses of $1 million a year, Sainsbury – who is being tracked by FC Basel, Southampton, Bolton Wanderers and JC Roda – could be the first to go.

Charlesworth plans to sit down with all three once they return on Thursday from the Korea Republic, where they are preparing for the Mariners AFC Champions League clash against Suwon Bluewings on Tuesday night.

And he revealed he expects a deal to be done soon for 21-year-old defender Sainsbury, who with a year left on his contract would command a fee of around $300,000-plus.

“All three have been great ambassadors to the Mariners and we want them to go on and further their careers,” he said.

“We are not in a financial position to hang onto these players and anybody who saw our (2-0) grand final win over Western Sydney (on Sunday) would have noticed how influential Trent was.

“He’s been enormous for us this season and it’s just a matter of time before he breaks through for the Socceroos.

“A lot of people are talking about him - and justifiably so - because he’s a wonderful player.

“A year ago he wasn’t even in our first team but we are a club that develops players and gives them the chance to shine and others will follow in their footsteps.”

In addition to Lille’s offer of a trial to Ryan and Ibini, Charlesworth also revealed the fledging Socceroos keeper is wanted by Sheffield United.

He said initial discussions had taken place but it remains up “to Mat what he does”.

“I personally think England would be a good destination for him,” added Charlesworth of the keeper who last year trialled with Tottenham Hotspur and who in January turned down a trial at fallen Glasgow giant Rangers.

Ryan is also still wanted by top-tier Danish outfit Randers, which first made the Mariners an offer in January and is willing to make him its first choice keeper next season.

“Mat has a huge future ahead of him and we’ve had discussions with Sheffield United (which is hunting a place in the League One play-offs under caretaker coach Chris Morgan),” explained Charlesworth.

“It’s down to Mat, and I will know when he gets back what his feelings are. But it’s my understanding also that he is keen to go to Lille to trial along with Bernie Ibini.”

Ibini, 20, has a year to run on his contract and would attract a transfer fee unlike Ryan, who is off-contract but would still net the club $180,000 in training compensation were he to leave.

However, winning contracts at Lille - the French champion in 2010-2011 and one-time home of Mariners striker Mile Sterjovski - is problematic with the club allowed only five visa players.

French clubs are not known for handing visa spots to keepers, unless they are signed as the No.1 choice.

Though much improved after his stint training with Cercle Brugge in February, Ibini is likely to find his audition at Lille every bit as demanding – and more.

With Charlesworth set to reduce the operating costs of the club, the futures of 19-goal Daniel McBreen - scorer of the clincher against WSW - and fellow striker Sterjovski remain unclear as the veteran pair seek new deals.

"Offering contracts is the domain of the coach and whoever is in charge, whether it's Graham Arnold or somebody else, next season will work within a set budget to put his squad together," he added.

"How much we are able to offer out of contract players may be determined on how much we are able to bring in from selling players."

Dutchman Patrick Zwaanswijk, 38 - scorer of the Mariners' grand final opener - could be set to join the club's coaching staff with his playing contract also up.

The future of Mariners coach Graham Arnold - linked with the Blades - remains unclear and Charlesworth doesn’t believe he will necessarily end up in Yorkshire.

“I think they are concentrating on trying to win promotion right now and may not look at that situation for a little while,” he said.

“But everybody knows that Graham Arnold has done a magnificent job for this club under very demanding circumstances and that he is being looked at by teams in Europe and Asia.

“I have no doubt he would do a brilliant job wherever he went and I have no doubt that offers will come in for him.”

The Mariners beat Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0 in Sunday's grand final to break though for its maiden championship triumph after three failed attempts in 2006, 2008 and 2011.

Celebrations where cut short however, as the entire team - excluding suspended captain John Hutchinson - boarded an early morning flight to South Korea.

The Mariners contest its ACL match with Suwon Bluewings, only 48 hours after its Allianz Stadium victory.

But youngster Trent Sainsbury says the team has managed to focus on the crucial group-stage clash.

"We all were celebrating last night but in the back of everyone's mind we all knew we'd still had a job to do in Korea," he told AAP from Sydney Airport on Monday.

"So it took a bit of the shine away from it.

"But the boys have all managed to get their minds focused on Tuesday's match."

Central Coast is currently third in Group H, one point ahead of Suwon and need at least a point to keep its hopes of qualifying to the knockout stages alive.

Suwon, who is equally desperate for points, will be hoping to take advantage of a weary Central Coast side.

But Sainsbury says if anything Sunday's win has reinvigorated them.

"The way we're feeling right now, we feel invincible," he said.

"So we feel we can go and give things a real shake in Korea.

"We're going there for the three points and we go there with all the confidence in the world."

Englishman Nick Montgomery is likely to replace Hutchinson in midfield but while 36-year-old Daniel McBreen joked he "may have a groin injury" and miss the clash, he was among the travelling squad.

This doesn't mean he'll play, however, with coach Graham Arnold likely to field a different side to the one he did on Sunday, possibly resting some of the older players.

The last time the Mariners played Suwon they drew 0-0 in Gosford and playing the Koreans away will be a much tougher prospect, especially considering Central Coast has yet to win an ACL match on the road.

Suwon has been in blistering form domestically and sit second on the K-League ladder.

It comes into the match on the back of a 4-1 win over Daejeong, courtesy of a hat-trick from striker Tae-Se Jong - no doubt the side's dangerman.

But Sainsbury feels the Mariners has the Korean team covered.

"Last time we played them, we played them at home and I thought we played them off the park and deserved to win," he said.

"This time if we go over there and stick to our game plan, I'm sure Arnie has something in store for us, we'll come away with a win."

The Wanderers went down 2-0 to the Central Coast in front of over 40,000 fans at Allianz Stadium, ending an astonishing maiden season with its first loss since January 6 when, ironically, it went down to the Mariners by the same scoreline.

It entered the title decider on the back of a 13-game unbeaten streak - which included a record 10 consecutive wins - and as minor premiers having created Australian sporting history as the first start-up club to clinch silverware in its first year.

Accomplishments made even more remarkable when you factor in it was all achieved under a first-time head coach, 39-year-old Tony Popovic, who was in charge of a side that had been hurriedly thrown together just weeks before the season started.

But with the championship trophy the only thing to elude them, Beauchamp feels it now gives them a focus for next season.

"It definitely hurts and that's going to be a factor next season - we don't want to feel that again," he said on Monday.

"So come that first day of pre-season that's going to be our goal to be a part of the grand final again and be on the winning side."

The Wanderers had fielded several players on Sunday, including Aaron Mooy, Jerome Polenz, Kwabena Appiah-Kubi and Shannon Cole, who either weren't regular starters or had just comeback from injury.

Popovic conceded maybe they weren't "match hardened" and "weren't as sharp as they could have been".

He said he now had an appreciation of how the Mariners feel to have lost three grand finals in the last seven years.

"Losing a grand final is not easy," he said.

"I know the Mariners have done it three times and I can see now what that feeling is like. It's not nice.

"But you have to look at the positives.

"There's a lot of hunger in this club to be the best we can be and we feel we can be even better next year.

"Although things have gone well, there are a lot of things we've learned along the way.

"Everything is new for us and in every key area we want to do things a bit better.

"So come the pre-season we'll set some new goals."

Popovic acknowledged the tremendous supporter-base the club had.

"I have a lot of football experience overseas," he said.

"But it was something I'd never seen where after a big game like that and a defeat for your club, all your fans hang around for a good hour after the game.

"That's true support."

Meanwhile, several players are out of contract - including Dino Kresinger, Joey Gibbs, Tarek Elrich and Tahj Minniecon.

Popovic said he would asses things this week before deciding on their futures.

"Once we sit with the players this week ... we'll take the next step and have a look at which areas we want to improve on and whether we need to bring in some players or not."

Spurred on by those words - borrowed from rugby league super coach Wayne Bennett - the Central Coast Mariners finally broke through for its maiden A-League grand final triumph on Sunday.

Deliriously happy Mariners coach Graham Arnold revealed in the immediate aftermath of the 2-0 grand final victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at Allianz Stadium that he had drawn upon Bennett for inspiration and mentoring in the month leading up the club's finest hour.

"He basically said to me 'I will tell you how to win a grand final,'" Arnold said.

"'I have done it seven times, I will show you how to do it.'

"I drove up to Newcastle to see him and talk to him. He gave me a lot of great advice. I can't thank him enough.

"I had a wonderful tutor in Guus Hiddink and then Pim Verbeek but they are overseas. I'm always trying to learn from the best and the best in Australia is Wayne Bennett.

"OK the sport is different but Wayne was a fantastic mentor for me the last four weeks. He has so much experience."

The grand final victory was Central Coast's first after tasting defeat on three previous occasions.

Mariners captain John Hutchinson said the phrase 'Don't Die With The Music In You', which is also the title of one of Bennett's books, was a rallying call for the Mariners in their successful A-League campaign.

"Arnie loves that quote, he is always putting it up on the board," Hutchinson said.

"He writes it on the board as we are leaving for the game ... that you don't want to leave anything out there. You go out there and you give it your best and that is what we did today."

Arnold obviously played a huge role in the Mariners' win and it was left to Hutchinson to spell that out.

"Arnie is just so inspirational to us all," he said.

The two-time champion mutually terminated the contract of left-back Fabio who could be replaced by Adelaide United's Cassio at the start of next season.

Still smarting from their failure to reach the A-League finals, the Sky Blues have started the process of reconstructing the team.

Fabio, who signed a two-year contract with Sydney in 2012, was told by the club that it could not guarantee him a first-team spot next season and the player has agreed to have his contract terminated.

”Fabio wishes to thank Sydney FC for giving him the opportunity but since he would like to play regularly he took up the option of leaving the club a year before his contract expires,” the player's agent Milton Da Rocha said.

”Fabio loves Australia and he has started the process of acquiring citizenship.

”He has asked me to find him another club.”

Adelaide fullback Cassio, who became an Australian citizen last September, said he would not discount the possibility of joining the Sky Blues.

”I am under contract with Adelaide so I can't really talk much about this but I know (chief executive) Tony Pignata very well and I have a very good relationship because I always liked his work ever since he was with Wellington Phoenix,” Cassio said.

”It would be good for both of us if we were to work together.

”Sydney showed interest in me two years ago but there is nothing at the moment however in football you can never tell what's around the corner.

”I have told Adelaide that my priority is to stay and take up the next two years of my contract but I also asked them to let me know as soon as possible what their plans are for me so I can talk to other clubs.

”The way things are going in Adelaide is not really good.”

Sydney later issued a statement thanking Fabio for his services.

“I’d like to thank Fabio for his service to Sydney FC during the last 12 months,” coach Frank Farina said.

“We are looking to change things going forward and we couldn’t guarantee Fabio the regular first-team football he requires.

“On behalf of the club, I’d like to wish him all the best for the future.”

But he doesn't have a contract for next year.

As unlikely as it seems, soon to be 36-year-old golden boot winner Daniel McBreen had a break-out season but his future at the Mariners remains uncertain with the striker now off contact.

Mariners coach Arnold told McBreen at the start of the season if he scored 10 goals he would make sure his contract was extended.

He went on to score double that, netting his 20th in Sunday's title decider with a perfectly taken spot-kick in the 68th minute and earning himself the Joe Marston Medal as best on field.

McBreen, who had failed twice in the Mariners' recent string of five missed penalties, acknowledged the irony of netting the match-winner from a spot-kick.

"After all the misses and all the press we've been getting about it, we got the one that counted," he said.

McBreen, who said he knew his late father Jim "would be smiling down on him", said he wants nothing more but to stay on at the Mariners - while talk mounts of a mass exodus from the Gosford-based club.

Young guns Mathew Ryan, Bernie Ibini and Trent Sainsbury are all touted for moves abroad while the likes of 38-year-old defender Patrick Zwaanswijk, striker Mile Sterjovski and coach Arnold should soon announce their plans.

"I'm not sure yet what's happening next season," he said.

"I love it here. I love the place, I love the people, I love the team, the coaching staff, living near the beach - everything.

"Hopefully we can work something out."

The delay on his contract, however, is a result of the financial crisis the club recently suffered before new owner Mike Charlesworth stepped in and saved the day.

"We've spoken but Mike wanted to go through the books so all offers have been taken off the table while he sorted that out," McBreen said.

"So it's up to them. They have to come to me now."

Arnold was full of praise for the veteran striker.

"He's a pain in the arse, as always," he joked.

"Leading goal scorer, Joe Marston Medal, won a championship and he's 36 years of age.

"What else can you say? He's had a fantastic season.

"It's a reward for all the hard work he does."

Popovic admitted to both pain and disappointment after the Wanderers fell 2-0 to Central Coast Mariners in Sunday's grand final at Allianz Stadium in a season that had previously been packed with plenty of highs and very few lows.

The Wanderers, and their fans, lit up what has been largely embraced as the best A-League season yet, but their bright flare was snuffed out by a determined Mariners outfit before 42,102 fans.

The win ended a 13-game unbeaten run for the Wanderers and while Popovic acknowledged the grand final loss soured an otherwise fantastic season he said his players would be the better for it.

"We had to face harsh reality today but we will look back with pride on what we have done," he said.

"At the moment it is disappointing but when we wake up tomorrow we will appreciate it.

"There is a lot of pride at our club. There is a lot of positives to take out of this year and we will be striving to be better in every department on and off the field next year.

"We are in the ACL (Asian Champions League) and we are looking forward to that.

"And what will be driving us is the opportunity to play again in this (the grand final) next year.

"It's been a great year but I don't like losing and I know the players don't like losing either.

"Losing hurts but we will be back bigger and stronger next year."

A Patrick Zwaanswijk goal before half-time and a Daniel McBreen penalty in the 68th minute gave the Mariners the win and Popovic said it was a deserved victory.

"Overall we probably weren't good enough," he said.

"Today they were the better team and they won."

However Popovic said he couldn't begrudge his old mate, Mariners coach Graham Arnold, championship victory at last.

"I'm always happy for Arnie when he does well," Popovic said.

"I'm not happy to lose but if I had to lose to anyone I am glad it was him. He deserves it."

But how often in sport, as in life, does disaster prove a necessary precursor to triumph?

Not just a hiccup or a painful interruption along the way, but an actual requirement for progress and ultimate success?

Central Coast Mariners are living proof of that.

They had lost three grand finals in seven years before breaking their hoodoo in Sunday's A-League showdown against Western Sydney Wanderers.

"We had to learn the hard way how to win," said coach Graham Arnold.

"A few of the boys have been scarred from grand finals. The scars are now gone.

"Maybe in the long term, the Wanderers might be better for having lost the grand final after winning the league title in their very first year.

"After all, how do you top a debut double?

"If you start life in the penthouse, the chairman's seat or the mayor's office, surely there is only way to travel - down."

The Mariners used their previous grand final losses - particularly the nightmare of two years ago, when they squandered a two-goal lead near the death and lost on penalties to Brisbane Roar - as motivation.

Young goalkeeper Mat Ryan summed up their outlook when he said: "Maybe you have to lose one to win one."

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic was asked whether he agreed.

In a moment of great hurt and disappointment, bless his red and black socks, he answered truthfully: "No."

Popovic looks destined to go on as a coach to win silverware equivalent to, or better than, the A-League grand final trophy.

And when he does, he will reflect on this 2013 loss as a day that played some part, possibly a vital part, in his eventual success.

That's what Lyall Gorman's wife Liana has been doing through the debut club's magical first season.

"She puts on the war paint and away she goes to the Red and Black Bloc (RBB)," said Gorman.

Clearly, the club's supporters have become a force in their own right, all in one year, but not even that was enough to get Tony Popovic's team across the line in the grand final.

If the A-League showdown was settled in the grandstands, the Wanderers would have won 3-1.

Out on the pitch they lost 2-0.

The Wanderers fans can still look back on a magical season in which they outnumbered NRL team Parramatta's gate at the stadium they share, averaging over 12,000 a match and occasionally filling it to its 19,500 capacity.

They were the reason behind Sunday's 42,102 public sell-out grand final, and the goosebumps atmosphere that prevailed.

Their chant of "Who do we sing for? We sing for Wanderers" echoed around the stadium for the entire match.

They even managed the choreographed jig called the Poznan with 10 minutes left and a painful loss looming.

And they stayed behind to cheer their heroes in defeat.

Even Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold had conceded they were "like having a 12th man on the park".

One of the Mariners' chief supporters, Simon Fisher, admitted: "You'd have to say the RBB are the benchmark. It's fantastic, really."

A-League chief executive Damien de Bohun said: "We've never seen anything like it in Australian sport before."

"Players and coaches and people like me will come and go," said Gorman, "but as a group the fans will be here forever."

Wanderers captain Michael Beauchamp paid tribute later to the support which had kept growing throughout the year.

But he was candid enough to admit: "It doesn't take away from the pain at the moment."

Ante Covic: 5

For all Covic’s influence over the Wanderers this season, the A-League’s goalkeeper of the year seemed powerless to stop the two goals which decided the outcome of this match.

Jerome Polenz: 6

Declared fit to play, Polenz appeared to injure his groin early in the piece and never quite recovered. Despite being in obvious pain, the German defender was involved in everything for the Wanderers until his 77th-minute substitution.

Michael Beauchamp: 6

His running battle with Daniel McBreen was befitting the occasion, but it was a night to forget for the Wanderers captain.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley: 4

‘NTS’ has made belting the leather off the ball an art form this season and quickly set about reminding everyone why, with two rockets in the opening five minutes. He looked as comfortable on the ball as he did launching it, but spent most of the match chasing the blue and yellow shadows left by his well-beaten midfield.

Shannon Cole: 4

Industrious in attack, becoming more adventurous as the Wanderers started to chase an equaliser in the second half. Caught on his heels too often in the first half as the Wanderers backline suffered an attacking blitz.

Mateo Poljak: 4

Some of his distribution was world class, including a pin-point ball for Appiah Kubi, but he was cumbersome in defence during the first half, as the fleet-footed Mariners ran roughshod through the middle.

Aaron Mooy: 4

Mooy made a good tackle on Mariners danger man Michael McGlinchey but the highlights were few and far between for a man who’s lack of recent match fitness negated his declaration of physical fitness.

Shinji Ono: 4

Launched a classy first-half bomb from deep that led to the Wanderers’ best chance, then went missing for the next 40 minutes. Bobbed up with a slim chance in the second half but it was more a case of ‘oh no’ than what we have come to expect from the marquee star.

Kwabena Appiah-Kubi - 7

Called into the starting side with the unenviable task of replacing Youssouf Hersi - one of the A-League’s best and hardest working attackers. Kubi produced his best shift in the red and black shirt and posed a constant threat down the right hand flank. Supplied a great cross for Mark Bridge in the second half.

Mark Bridge: 5

Flashes of the form that has seen him draw resurrection comparisons with Lazerus this season, with a first half cross for Kresinger and a great second half chance, but not enough supply to influence the match as he would have liked.

Dino Kresinger: 5

Put himself about with typical gusto but failed to connect when it mattered most after a brilliant cross from Bridge in the first half. Big Dino was well-contained by worthy Socceroos aspirant Trent Sainsbury. Dragged in the 67th minute.

Substitutes:

Rocky Visconte: 3

A brief second-half cameo for a man more used to sitting on the bench of the grand final-winner.

Labinot Haliti: 4

Unlucky not to be awarded a late penalty, he put himself about when brought on for Kresinger in the 67th minute.

Tarek Elrich: 3

Performed aptly when brought on but not the match-changer the Wanderers needed.

Jason Trifiro

NA

Carlos Saliadarre

NA

McBreen, who will be 36 on Tuesday, scored a second-half penalty to seal a 2-0 victory for the Mariners against Western Sydney Wanderers in front of a boistereous crowd of 42,102 at Allianz Stadium.

Victory gave the Mariners their first championship after three heart-breaking grand final defeats in 2006, 2008 and 2011.

”It's absolutely amazing. We said before the final that we wanted to do it for the fans,” man of the match McBreen said later.

”They've been through so much … three grand final losses, four grand finals in eight years. To see them celebrate like that was just amazing.

”To us players losing three grand finals did not matter that much. There is nothing we could do about the past.

”This year we had the confidence that we could beat anyone on any day.”

McBreen said he thought the Mariners thoroughly deserved the win because they were the better team but he lamented the 1-0 home defeat to the Wanderers in Week 23 which effectively gave Tony Popovic's team the premiership.

”We were in control of the game today and created the better chances and we scored first on the stroke of halftime which was good timing,” he said.

”We played the better football so we deserved it.

”There were a couple of weeks where we let ourselves down in our finishing and that's when the Wanderers got ahead of us.

”We knew that that week in Gosford let us down. There was a swing and they took over the lead but we had chances in that game to kill them off.

”But we have a great defensive unit that can break quickly into attacking play."

McBreen has flourished in the No 10 position since Tom Rogic left the club for Glasgow Celtic mid-season.

He has caught the eye with some clever link-up play while also scoring regularly.

He finished as the league's top scorer and his second-half goal in the grand final was his 19th of the season.

”I've been trying to tell everyone for 20 years that I am not just a goal poacher,” he quipped.

”I'd like to think that I can play the game and create play and make assists.

”Arnie has put his faith in me playing No 10 and it has paid dividends.”

Patrick Zwaanswijk was another grand final hero and his headed goal on the stroke of halftime set up the Mariners' victory.

”It's a relief to finally win a grand final,” the Dutch defender, 38, said.

”Everybody has worked so hard for this not only this year but in the last three seasons.

”We had a team that stayed together for a long time and in the end I think we were the more experienced team on the field.

”If you look at the game with an open mind I think we were the better side.

”Both teams had a great season and for them to come in in the first season and do what they did especially with the fans, they made the A-League what it is today.”

Zwaanswijk is the oldest man to play and score in an A-League grand final.

”I am also the first Dutch guy to win the Australian league,” he said.

”But I'm not here to create history, I'm here to give it an extra go and help make Australia a better soccer country.

”I believe foreigners can make a difference here.

”I think I have made a contribution same as Youssouf Hersi of the Wanderers and Alessandro Del Piero at Sydney FC.

”If foreigners are better than anybody else I think you should get them, otherwise give young Aussie kids a chance.

”We have seen tonight that there are a lot of young players who can play soccer.”

Mathew Ryan: 7.5

Apart from a first-half hiccup that almost cost his side a goal, Ryan did what was called of him with little fuss. Confident with the ball at his feet to start the Mariners attacks and safe in his handling in what is expected to be his last game for the club.

Pedj Bojic: 6.5

Put under pressure more than once but maintained his focus and provided cover when he was called on. Made his usual forays forward in the first half before concentrating more on his defensive duties after the break.

Trent Sainsbury: 8

A near faultless display defensively for a player who is now one of the first on Graham Arnold’s team-sheet. Shackled Dino Kresinger brilliantly and with Europe beckoning his future appears to be abroad.

Patrick Zwaanswijk: 8

The oldest player, at 38, to score in an Australian football grand final and any finals match, the Dutchman marshalled the Mariners defence with distinction and chimed in with the goal that gave his side the belief that it could end its hoodoo.

Josh Rose: 6

Struggled at times to contain the pace of Kwabena Appiah-Kubi and sloppy at times with his passing. Appeared to struggle with a leg injury during the second half but his experience got him through.

John Hutchinson: 7.5

A player that largely goes through the game unnoticed but regularly get the better of his opponents and did so again when it counted most. The fact that Shinji Ono and Aaron Mooy were merely sighted in attack was testament to his impact.

Oliver Bozanic: 7

A solid contributor in the centre of the park after stepping in to replace Nick Montgomery. Made his presence felt early on and enjoyed a lot of possession when the Mariners dominated the proceedings.

Michael McGlinchey: 7

Not at his sparkling best but commanded the attention of two defenders when going forward. Not as influential as he has been in recent weeks but played his part on the left flank before shifting to the right midway through the second half.

Bernie Ibini: 7

Like fellow wide man McGlinchey was kept quiet for parts of the game but came into the game more and more in the second half and kept the Wanderers fullbacks pinned back in their own half for much of the match. Another member of the squad likely to be playing overseas next season.

Daniel McBreen: 9

Playing behind the lone striker, McBreen caused the Wanderers all sorts of headaches. Turning 36 on Tuesday, he worked as hard as any other player on the pitch and was often available in transition. He put his penalty demons behind him to strike home from 12 yards with aplomb and virtually seal the victory.

Mile Sterjovski: 7

The experienced campaigner should have opened the scoring early on when he his looped effort over Ante Covic hit the crossbar. Was a handful for Nikolai Topor-Stanley and held the ball up well for his side. Substitutes:

Mitchell Duke: 6

Lively performance off the bench when asked to give the attack some more speed but no real openings to take advantage of as the Wanderers had the best period in the game late on.

Nick Fitzgerald: 5

Limited minutes to make an impact when introduced for McGlinchey.

[View the story "A-League Grand Final" on Storify]

After three previous failures at the final hurdle, Graham Arnold's side finally broke its hoodoo thanks to goals in each half from veterans Patrick Zwaanswijk and Daniel McBreen in front of 42,102 fans at a heaving Allianz Stadium.

It proved a game too far for Premiers' Plate winner WSW as its fairytale debut season failed to deliver one last miracle against a Mariners side that would not be denied the championship.

How the A-League grand final played out on Twitter:

Central Coast took the lead a minute from the interval when 38-year-old out-of-contract Dutchman Zwaanswijk - possibly playing his last game for the club - got in ahead of Dino Kresinger to bullet home a near post header past keeper Ante Covic from Michael McGlinchey's corner.

The goal made him the oldest scorer in any A-League finals game and the sixth oldest scorer in all 6780 top flight league games in Australia.

An ecstatic Arnold said: "I can't be more proud of the boys. We've learned the hard way what it feels like to lose a grand final.

"We spoke about that during the week and none of us wanted to suffer that feeling again. It was the worst feeling ever after the Brisbane grand final.

"The boys knew what a big game this was - it was my job this week to keep them relaxed. After four grand finals our fairytale has now been achieved. I thought we dictated the play and it was a fantastic performance and effort from us."

The Wanderers had a strong shout for a penalty waved away by referee Peter Green less than 60 seconds later when defender Pedj Bojic looked to have handled a cross but he escaped the ultimate punishment.

A pivotal call by Green provided Central Coast with the chance to score the killer goal in the 68th minute, the referee deciding German full-back Jerome Polenz's handled the ball while trying to keep McBreen at bay .

The A-League Golden Boot, who had missed three of his previous five spot-kicks, made no mistake as he gave Arnold's men a two-goal cushion with his 19th of the season.

Two months ago the Mariners were in financial crisis. Players were not being paid. They had to borrow money to meet their bills and mortgages until Englishman Mike Charlesworth bought the club and saved the day.

Arnold's team made Charlesworth's rescue act all worthwhile. Even though the Mariners mentor admitted he may not be around for another tilt next season.

"I feel like I've completed my own personal journey with this win and while I wouldn't want to go to another A-League club, I do have ambitions to test myself overseas (where there is interest in China and also at English outfit Sheffield United)," he said.

The exit signs are also flashing for youngsters Bernie Ibini, keeper Mat Ryan and defender Trent Sainsbury as overseas club circle.

Mariners captain John Hutchinson dedicated the win to the club's long-suffering fans.

"It's amazing," he said. "It means a lot to us but it means more than a lot to the fans.

"There was a fantastic atmosphere and the team slogged it out."

Ryan said the win was for the losing grand final teams that had come before them.

"There's no better feeling in football," he said. "This victory goes out to the boys who have been here before."

Wanderers skipper Michael Beauchamp said: "It's amazing the amount of support we have had but it doesn't take away from the pain at the moment.

"Credit to the Mariners, they finished off their chances."

The Mariners began the brightest, seeking to suck the Wanderers in and then pierce them with precision, long-distance balls over the top.

And from one such delivery after nine minutes, Mile Sterjovski came close to giving Arnold's men the advantage, lofting his shot over the bar as keeper Ante Covic raced off his line.

Wanderers' first meaningful raid came in the 19th minute, when the evasive Shinji Ono's clever cross fell invitingly for Kresinger but the Croatian striker couldn't make contact with his head.

WSW turned up the heat in the second half - pinning the Mariners back for periods of the stanza - but it was the out-of-contract Sterjovski, also possibly playing his last game for the club, who came close to adding a second when he fired just over after neatly creating the opportunity for himself.

Unfortunately for the Mariners players, Arnold signalled there would be "zero" celebrations to mark the breaking of their grand final jinx when the squad flies out to South Korea on Monday morning for an AFC Champions League match on Tuesday.

The trio have been under injury clouds in the lead-up to the match but all were passed fit while teenage winger Kwabena Appiah Kubi is called in to replace the suspended Youssouf Hersi.

For the Mariners, coach Graham Arnold plumped for Oliver Bozanic to partner captain John Hutchinson in the centre of midfield - with Nick Montgomery suspended.

With both sides aiming for a maiden championship success, the scene is set for an epic encounter at a packed Allianz Stadium.

Less than an hour from kick-off, the venue is filling rapidly with red and black clad fans dominating the stands while the yellow and blue fans of the Mariners are adding their significant voice to proceedings.

The 28-year-old is expected to train with the London club for three weeks after being invited to join them after the conclusion of Glory's A-League campaign.

Vukovic will train under Fulham goalkeeper coach Hans Segers and alongside Socceroos No. 1 Schwarzer.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Danny,” Glory coach Alistair Edwards said.

“It's the first time that Danny will experience the top class European football environment and to be training alongside Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer will be inspirational.

"If everything goes well for him, he could get a chance to sign for Fulham, which would be great.

“Obviously, Danny has had a very good season for us and he has a role to play in our future but if an opportunity to join Fulham came up, Perth Glory wouldn’t stand in the way of that."

The final whistle blew for Breeze when he dumped refereeing to become a full-time barrister in 2011 but he remains an avid follower of the A-League and is concerned by the trend of officials fouling up the big calls in crucial games.

No stranger to controversy himself at times during his six-year A-League career, Breeze, 40, says that referees – contrary to public perception – pay for their blunders, citing the examples of Chris Beath and Jarred Gillett, who were both rubbed out of grand final contention after high-profile howlers in the semi-finals.

“There is a need for more consistency with the big decisions and better coaching of referees to make sure they get them right as much as possible,” declared Breeze, who faced his harshest criticism for his dismissal of Adelaide United striker Cristiano in the 2009 grand final after his arm made contact with Melbourne Victory defender Roddy Vargas.

“I know the referees boss Ben Wilson has put in systems and processes to bring more consistency to those vital decisions and overall I am happy with the general standard of refereeing in the competition.

“In the case of Jarred, he probably should have been better positioned to spot the handball by Andrew Nabbout in the lead-up to awarding a penalty against Perth Glory in the elimination final with Melbourne Victory.

“While he was right to penalise Steve Pantelidis for holding (resulting in a penalty to Victory and a red card to Pantelidis), the whistle could have been blown sooner had he seen Nabbout handle the ball.

“In hindsight, he could have taken up a better vantage point and perhaps should also have had some help from the linesman in that instance.

“That mistake basically ended his season. People don’t think referees are held accountable for mistakes – but they are. Both Jarred and Chris paid the price but not being selected for any more finals games.”

Breeze says 34-year-old Queenslander Green - an A-League referee since 2005 - is the perfect appointment.

“He will be aware of the importance of the game and will be looking forward to it as much as any player,” he said.

“He will be keenly aware that the finals series has attracted some controversy this season with some of the decisions made and that the same applies to some of the grand finals down the years.

“But he’s been preparing all year for this type of challenge.

“He will be up to the job and I believe he has the respect of the players. He’s matured with experience over his several years in the A-League and likes to let the game flow.

“He’s quite understated as a man and as a referee and he would love nothing more than in the post-match analysis nobody is talking about him.

“He will want to let the players and not himself decide the outcome of the game.

“By the same token, he won’t be afraid to make the decisions if he has to. If there is an elbow, or an over-the-ball tackle in the first minute he will enforce the rules of the game.

“Peter’s in line for possible selection for the next World Cup and he’s certainly one of our very best.”

Breeze believes that Gillett, roundly vilified for his last-minute intervention at Etihad Stadium, deserves a break, adding: “He’s an excellent referee with big potential and it’s wrong to put the blame for Perth losing (2-1 in extra time) solely at his feet.

“If Shane Smeltz had put away that penalty kick a minute earlier at the other end, the game would have been over at 2-0 and none of us would have been talking about Jarred Gillett. Smeltz’s miss has been glossed over and everybody has blamed Jarred.”

And Breeze’s wish for Sunday’s showdown at Allianz Stadium?

“I’ll hope to sit back and watch a five-goal thriller where people look back and don't even remember who the referee was,” he said.

The premiership-winning Wanderers will battle the second-placed Mariners in front of more than 40,000 fans at a sold-out Allianz Stadium - a match FFA chief executive David Gallop described as "the most anticipated grand final in A-League history".

It will be a fairytale finish regardless of the result.

The Wanderers will be hoping to cap their already history-making debut season with another astonishing achievement.

"We've won the Premiers' Plate but we want more silverware," coach Tony Popovic said.

The Mariners, meanwhile - playing in their fourth decider in eight seasons after having survived the club's recent financial crisis - will want nothing more than to finally lift the trophy.

"Our fairytale is that we're still here," Mariners coach Graham Arnold said.

"We've had a fantastic year considering the struggles.

Popovic's Western Sydney Wanderers and Arnold's Central Coast Mariners will lock horns at sold-out Allianz Stadium in the most highly anticipated A-League grand final in eight years.

Popovic, 39, and Arnold, 49, virtually lived in each other's pockets when they played for Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J.League in 1997 and 1998.

Having first crossed paths at National Soccer League (NSL) level with Sydney United in 1989 and 1990, the polished defender and feared striker forged a strong friendship that has lasted the test of time.

"He was a cheeky little thing, he still is,” Arnold quipped at the official press-conference for the big match.

"No, look, we have had a great friendship for a long, long time.

"It goes back to Sydney Croatia when he was a 14-year-old kid training with the first team.

"He made his debut at 16 and we always knew that he would have leadership qualities and be successful at whatever he did.

"The fact that our paths have gone the same way is great to see.

"I am 10 years older than Tony and given time he will be as grey as me.

"I'm very happy for him and what he's done this year."

Arnold said he admired Popovic for taking the more difficult option of starting a team from scratch when he knocked back overtures from Sydney FC to concentrate on building the Wanderers into a genuine force in the A-League.

"When Western Sydney started up last year Tony had a choice to make and he chose probably in most people's eyes the harder pathway,” Arnold said.

"I knew the Wanderers were getting the right person because he is a winner.

"I worked with him at national team level and he was always a leader on the field. He's a great pro and it's no surprise to me what he's done.”

Popovic explained how Arnold had helped him overcome a difficult period in his playing career when he was in Japan.

"We do go a long way back, yes, and he played a big part in a lot of what I've done and I'm saying this not because we're here,” Popovic said.

"The part that he forgets is that when I was 16 and not knowing what professional football was about he used to drag me to the front of the line to do the extra runs (at training).

"He used to tell me such things as 'we're one on one and you're coming up against me, this is what you need to do' and 'this is the level you need to reach and this is how hard you need to work'.

"The time we were together and the help he gave me was instilled in me as a player, even in the time we were in Japan.

"That is when I probably went through the hardest time in my career, thinking I won't play again.

"It was Arnie, and he won't like this, who was always knocking on my door and saying 'come on, let's get out of this apartment and come up to my place and I'll make you some food'.

"The food wasn't great (cue laughter) but he did everything he could to help me and for this I will always have the utmost respect for him."

Popovic echoed Arnold's sentiments regarding the potential they saw in each other regarding coaching.

"He talks about seeing me as a chance to be a coach but listening to him I always knew that he would become successful, too. I certainly am not surprised," he said.

"What he has done at the Mariners is brilliant and we respect them as a football club."

Come Sunday, staff at Allianz Stadium will have to heat extra meat pies and order a few more kegs because for the first time in its existence, the venue is set to be packed to capacity. Whether an attendance record is set or not, the overwhelming anticipation for the A-League grand final is testament to the strides forward the game has made this year.

The A-League has sent a warning to the other codes: 'we are here'. Western Sydney Wanderers chairman Lyall Gorman went as far as to predict his club would become “the biggest sporting organisation in Australia”.

Maybe Gorman's earned the right to make bold predictions, but it would be unwise to ignore the old adage: ‘respect your elders, you can learn a lot from them’.

There are still a lot of initiatives, values and practices endorsed by the NRL, ARU, cricket, tennis and AFL that could not only improve the A-League’s credibility and supporter base but catapult it to the forefront of innovation in world football.

Goal-line technology:

Implementing goal-line technology (glt) in the A-League is a no-brainer considering the success of the equipment in the other codes. Fifa is finally starting to roll out glt after years of faffing about on the issue.

Video review technology:

I am aware of the arguments against video technology, namely the way it is perceived to ruin the beautiful flow of football. If done well, video technology could be used as a final adjudication on instances where the football game is stopped anyway, like if a player dives in the penalty box to try and earn his team a potentially match-defining advantage.

Football is celebrated for it simplicity and purity. In the spirit of attaining a truly fair sport in which the participant's mastery of a round ball is the defining factor - as opposed to, say, their mastery of theatrical diving - video technology could be used almost like a safety net below the referee.

in my view, nothing undermines a referee’s position more than getting the call wrong on the big stage. Just ask Ali Bin Nasse, the man who awarded Maradona’s illegal touch in the 1986 World Cup. These people are only human and despite how machine-like we perceive them, they don’t actually possess the vision capable of seeing everything tackle, touch or curve of the ball on the pitch.

On the eve of the A-League grand final do we really want teams missing out of silverware because of the very likely event of human error? We saw it last season when Brisbane Roar's Besart Berisha went down, without really being touched, in the penalty box. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near Moore Park if 25,000 Wanderers fans were to fall victim to a similar call at Allianz stadium this weekend.

Red cards, like falsely award penalties or disallowed goals, have the potential to ruin a terrific game. They are easier to come across than a Lionel Messi goal. It is too drastic to eliminate the red card and adopt the sin-bin rule, but I think referees should have the opportunity to review challenges and hand balls in the penalty area.

It's a tactic which is employed by the other codes with a success rate best-illustrated by the lack of over-dramatized dives in their games as well as their ability to see teams go a whole season without a player sent off.

Australians pride ourselves on our fighting spirit and toughness. Why not reflect this in our system of bookings? Coming from a rugby league background, I guarantee it would go down well with potential fans turned off football due to the dive-a-thon we see in other parts of the world.

Respect for referees:

I have always been amazed at the way football players are allowed to touch and invade the personal space of referees. Does anyone else find it contradictory organisations like FIFA, which refuses to introduce video technology in an attempt to maintain referee power, allows players to touch and crowd the officials while hailing abuse?

In the A-League we have even seen players like Danny Vukovic and Joel Griffiths act in a physically abusive manner towards match officials. A tougher stance needs to be taken on players who use standover tactics to challenge the referee's decision.

In recent weeks, Brisbane Broncos player Sam Thaiday was suspended for a week for tugging on the referee’s shirt, a greater penalty than Joel Griffiths received for striking at a linesman's undercarriage while playing for Newcastle Jets a few years back: a gesture which would have received at least eight weeks in all-other Australian codes. Griffiths, only a year later was then suspended for three weeks for telling a referee’s assistance to 'f%$& off' and calling him a racially derogative term. A very light penalty considering the attitude towards racism in today’s multi-cultural society (especially in such a diverse competition such as the A-League) Griffiths became a repeat offender by virtue of his second action and should have been punished accordingly.

The A-League and FFA should permit only the captains to calmly and rationally plead their case with the referee in the event of a penalty or red card. Any other player perceived to be staring the referee down, touching him or blocking his path while irrationally expressing their unnecessary view on a call should be disciplined with longer suspensions and financial penalties (not red cards as we have already establish their potential to ruin games).

Referees need to be respected and held in a higher stead than players, despite how incorrect their decisions may be.

There was no use of a middle-man by Popovic. He and Visconte had never met, but Popovic went straight at his target, and, as seems usual with him, he picked the right one.

Visconte was ripe for a change. After playing plenty of football under Ange Postecoglou's coaching at Brisbane Roar, he hadn't been a getting a run under Postecoglou's successor, Rado Vidosic, nor Mike Mulvey, who replaced Vidosic.

But it was already early January, and although the transfer window was open Visconte thought the other clubs had probably all done their business.

That was until the phone rang.

"It was completely out of the blue," Visconte told The World Game.

"I didn't want to be at Brisbane any longer, but I didn't see a chance anywhere else until Popa rang.

"He told me he'd been watching me for a while, and had asked a few people about me and heard positive things about my attitude towards training, and football in general. He rang me on a Monday, and wanted me at training on the Wednesday. That was how quickly it happened."

Visconte was deeply impressed by how well Popovic sold the club to him. He thought it would be a great opportunity for him, and he was right.

The midfielder, who turns 23 on Monday, has only played two games for the Wanderers, but they were two big ones. He came off the bench in the round-26 Sydney derby, which finished in a 1-1 draw, and was again used as a substitute in the last-round game against Newcastle Jets.

Visconte scored a screaming goal from outside the box against the Jets, in a 3-0 win that clinched the Premier's Plate for the Wanderers.

He missed out on selection in the 2-0 semi-final win over his old club, and is obviously hoping to get a run against Central Coast Mariners in Sunday's grand final at Allianz Stadium.

But, whether he does or not, Visconte is keen to stay at the Wanderers next season, and he says that, in terms of professionalism on and off the field, the club compares very well with Roar during the two years it won the championships under Postecoglou's coaching.

Visconte played in the first of those grand final wins, over the Mariners, but not the second, against Perth Glory.

"The Roar under Ange played a different style of football to the Wanderers under Popa, but with each of those styles the players have to be very fit to make it work properly," Visconte said.

"Brisbane played the ball out of the back whenever possible. There was a slow build-up and a lot of passing. You did a lot of work, on and off the ball.

"The Wanderers are always looking to go forward first, but by that I don't mean simply 'long ball'. They look to catch teams on the break, and with Mark Bridge and Youssouf Hersi on either wing that makes them very dangerous. Those two have been brilliant this year.

"Everyone in the Wanderers side constantly presses when the opposition have the ball, and they have achieved great results from that. You've got to be fit to do that, and conditioning is very important under Popa, the same as it is under Ange.

"The training is a bit different under both coaches, but the idea of working very hard on and off the field is the same. Popa encourages you to believe that, if you're not having a particularly good game on the ball, if you're still giving your all he'll be happy with that."

Visconte said both coaches were big on having a core group of leaders in the team who were similar in attitude to the coach.

"Ange and Popa are both strong leaders off the field," he said. "On the field, Ange had guys like Erik Paartulu, Michael Theo, Matt McKay and Matt Smith to steer the team and make sure the plan was being carried out.

"Popa has guys like Ante Covic, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Michael Beauchamp and Mark Bridge doing that. They become like an extension of the coach, and the young players, like me, follow them."

Visconte said the hard core of people who filled positions directly under Postecoglou at Roar, and Popovic at the Wanderers, were "real football people".

"We had Paul Trimboli and Rado Vidosic with Ange at the Roar," he said.

"And we've got Ante Milicic and John Tsatsimas with Popa at the Wanderers. You can go to any of those guys and talk to them about any aspect of football, and they will immediately know what you are talking about."

Visconte said the upper-level management at both clubs ran similarly smoothly as well.

As far as next season goes, Visconte says he hasn't heard anything from the Wanderers at this stage, but he is hoping there will be a positive development after Sunday.

And the grand final?

"I'd obviously love to be out there," he said. "But when you've got a good side, and everyone is pushing hard for a run, some players have to miss out. Whether I'm in the squad on Sunday or not, I'm just hoping the boys win, because they deserve it."

The striker, whose two spells at Melbourne Heart were sandwiched between an ill-fated six-month stint with Red Star Belgrade in which he made just six appearances, is relishing a fresh start in the Eredivisie after finalising terms on Friday night.

Having arrived in the Netherlands last Saturday, Babalj underwent a medical and was given a guided tour of the cub before putting pen to paper.

"It's a fresh start in a league I have always wanted to play in," said the hulking fringe Socceroos forward, who at 21 is aiming to take his game to the next level.

"I'm excited to be at a big club and if I am patient and work hard I am sure I can further my career here."

The one-time home of Socceroos Brett Holman and James Holland, AZ is currently sitting 13th on the Eredivisie ladder after by its standards an indifferent season.

But it won the Dutch title as recently as 2009 and remains one of the Netherlands' leading clubs.

"They sent scouts to watch me play for Melbourne Heart during the A-League season and luckily they liked what they saw and were willing to give me an opportunity," added Babalj.

"They have shown faith in me with the length of the contract and I want to repay that.

"I just want to enjoy my football again and I am sure that will the case here."

Babalj will officially join his new teammates in June for pre-season training and is not keen on dwelling too much on his ill-starred stay in Serbia where he never fully settled before returning to Melbourne with Red Star still owing Heart $100,000 of his $400,000 transfer fee.

His Heart homecoming didn't go according to script either with just one goal in nine appearances for a struggling team, but a second chance in Europe has sharpened his focus and honed his desire to fulfil his potential.

"I don't think I had much luck in Serbia with several things not falling into place but I just want to put all that behind me now and focus on the future rather than dwelling on what might have been elsewhere in the past," he said.

"This is a big opportunity for me and I can't wait to get started. I need to get a good pre-season under my belt and take it from there."

Programmed branding will feature on the Club’s kit in Sunday's A-League grand final between the Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers at Allianz Stadium.

Chief Executive Officer Programmed Integrated Workforce, Brian Styles, said the company is pleased to have pledged its support to the Mariners for the biggest game of the 2012/13 A-League campaign.

“Programmed are thrilled to be supporting the Mariners through its finals journey and we wish them well in securing their first Championship,” he said.

“There is no doubt that the A-League has captured the imagination of the sporting public, and Sunday’s contest should be a terrific game and a great spectacle.”

Programmed directly employs more than 10,000 skilled and semi-skilled staff across a broad range of government and private sector industries, and provides services to over 7,500 customers at 100 branches throughout Asia-Pacific.

Central Coast Mariners Chairman, Mr Peter Turnbull, said the Club is ecstatic to have partnered with an organisation of the repute of Programmed for the biggest day on Australia’s domestic football calendar.

“The team has enjoyed a fantastic preparation for this season’s Hyundai A-League Grand Final under the guidance of Graham Arnold and his staff,” Turnbull said.

“Now we’ve managed to achieve some great Grand Final week success off the pitch too, with Programmed committing their support to the Club for the decider.”

“We hope each of Programmed’s 10,000 staff will be cheering for our Club on Sunday.

Programmed is active in the Australian sports sponsorship market, with the Mariners joining the AFL’s Fremantle Dockers and NRL’s Melbourne Storm on the company’s partner list for the A-League decider.

Despite riding a roller-coaster of departures in his three seasons at the tiller, Arnold has guided the shoestring club to two grand finals and is adamant that the culture of punching above its weight will not be lost.

With the likes of Golden Boot Daniel McBreen and fellow veterans Patrick Zwaanswijk and Mile Sterjovski out of contract at a club under strict financial constraints and rising stars Mat Ryan, Bernie Ibini and Trent Sainsbury seemingly poised to head overseas, the duel with Western Sydney Wanderers is taking on the hue of a farewell fling.

The future of master mentor Arnold is also uncertain as interest in his uncanny ability to unearth and sharpen raw talent - and manage success on the smallest of budgets - sparks interest in Europe and Asia.

But Arnold remains phlegmatic about the future, insisting that having lost six key players in his tenure at Bluetongue Stadium, the club is not facing anything it has not tackled before.

“Players come and go, it’s the nature of football and there may well be a couple who retire or a couple who move on to further their careers after the grand final,” he said.

“In my time here we've lost the likes of Mustafa Amini, Alex Wilkinson, Tom Rogic, Matt Simon and Rostyn Griffiths.

“We are club that needs to sell from time to time to survive and that’s the way we have to operate. If it happens, it happens. Nobody in this game is indispensable and there are plenty players out there and they will come in if we need to replenish the club.

“It’s not unique to the Mariners, Melbourne Victory have just lost Marco Rojas. It’s part of the reality of the A-League.”

Arnold said the Mariners new owner and financial saviour, English telecommunications whiz Mike Charlesworth, will fully address the issue of who stays and who goes over the next two weeks and insisted the club is already in preliminary discussions with its out of contract players.

“Mike Charlesworth is taking time to get his feet under the table and assess a lot of things right across the club. It’s a huge week of course and he’s leaving the players alone right now with the grand final in mind," he said.

“He will look at all the issues regarding players when the time is right.”

Though the club is resigned to also losing Arnold himself, at some stage, he reiterated he has a year to go on his contract and unless he hears otherwise will be with the Mariners next season.

“I enjoy being here and love working with the boys and seeing the team develop,” he said. “I do have my own ambitions of course but as things stand I am with the Mariners.

"No matter who is, or isn't, here next season the culture this club has created is so strong it will be around, and will be successful, for many years to come.”

Arnold has also hit back at the cynics who have suggested the Mariners are grand final chokers after failures to beat Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets, and Brisbane Roar in three previous deciders.

“That’s just disrespectful to the players and is not the case,” he declared. “We’ve basically been the victim of some poor refereeing decisions and some bad luck and I am confident if we execute our game plan against Western Sydney we will get the result this time.

“Even last season when we went out (in the grand final qualifier) against Perth it was on penalties after they had scored a clearly offside goal.”

Arnold is expecting to face a Wanderers side which will include the injured foursome of Aaron Mooy, Jerome Polenz, Mark Bridge and Adam D’Apuzzo, explaining: “It’s my understanding that the only players they will have missing are their suspended ones – Youssouf Hersi and Iacopo La Rocca.

“But 75 per cent of our focus is on us, and not them. We have tweaked a few things tactically but we believe we have the right game plan to win. Most of the crowd at Allianz Stadium will against us and it’s going to be a game of high emotion.

“But we are fit and we’re ready to go. We have players who have played in huge games before and know what’s expected. There's a fantastic mood in the camp and I am feeling confident.”