Macarthur FC captain Mark Milligan will take to the field tomorrow night for his 150th A-League appearance in what will be one of the club's most important matches of the year.
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As one of the newest clubs in the A-League competition, which has partnered with associations ranging from south western Sydney through to the Highlands Soccer Association and the Southern Tablelands Football Association, Macarthur FC has enjoyed spectacular success in its debut season.
Currently sitting at second on the ladder, the newcomers are set to take on the first-placed Central Coast Mariners tomorrow in a top-of-the-table clash for the ages.
Milligan downplayed the personal significance of his 150th match, and said he is focused on the team's goals.
"It's a nice milestone, but I think more importantly it's a very big match for us," he said.
"Central Coast have been outstanding so far, and it's going to be a big challenge. We had a disappointing result against them the first time around, we've done a lot of work this week, and we need a good, positive performance to take the three points."
The first time these teams played in round two, the Mariners scored a 2-0 win.
However, Macarthur is fresh off a huge 1-0 upset over defending champions Sydney FC, and will look to carry the confidence from that win into tomorrow's game.
"Beating Sydney FC away from home gives any team confidence," Macarthur coach Ante Milicic said.
"We get a lot from that performance and the three points, but we know now we have another difficult game on the road. It's important to us to play to our strengths and we know that we're a good footballing side, if we can execute on the day we've got a good chance of getting a decent result."
While Milligan is focused on the team ahead of personal landmarks, Milicic spared a moment to discuss what the former Socceroo brings to the club.
"When you're building a new club, particularly with the way football's changed around the world, you need good characters in the changeroom and a lot of leadership," Milicic said.
"I really was fortunate that I went to two World Cups with Millsy, so I know what he brings on the field but also off the field.
"We've got a lot of youngsters here that he really guides around the changing rooms and shows them what it's like to be a professional. He was a player that I really wanted at the football club and obviously I was delighted when we signed him."
The Mariners have been the dominant side in the competition so far. With five wins from the last six matches, Central Coast has opened up a lead of four points over second-placed Macarthur.
Though is is undoubtedly the underdog going into the game, Macarthur has had a similarly strong run of three wins and a draw from its last five matches .
Part of the key to Macarthur's success, Milligan said, was its ability to control possession.
"We've been controlling a lot of the ball for most of the season," he said.
"We're continuously working on getting better at that, we know it's going to be important come Monday night. Central Coast are a very disciplined outfit, very aggressive, so we need to make sure we control the ball in the right areas."
Macarthur FC will play the Central Coast Mariners tomorrow, March 8, at the Central Coast Stadium. The match will kick off at 7.05pm.
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