Two-goal hero Miguel Di Pizio says Central Coast’s memorable AFC Cup run – now just one win away from securing the club more than $2 million in prizemoney – has made the Mariners “stronger” in their bid for a treble.
Substitute Di Pizio scored twice off the bench on Wednesday night in Gosford as the Mariners beat Kyrgyzstan outfit Abdysh-Ata Kant 3-0 to win the two-legged AFC Cup inter-zonal final 4-1 on aggregate.
The Mark Jackson-coached Mariners will now play Lebanese club Al-Ahed in Sunday week’s Cup final, with the winner to earn $2.3 million and the loser to walk away with $1.14 million.
“Everything feels like a dream,” Di Pizio said.
“It’s a competition where we get to play lots of games, so it’s definitely made us a stronger group travelling together, building the connection with each other.
“(To reach) our first AFC Cup Final, it’s big.”
The Cup isn’t the only silverware within the grasp of the Mariners, who are also in strong contention to win the A-League premiership and a second-straight championship.
Central Coast is currently in second spot on the table, one point behind Wellington Phoenix, but the Mariners have one game in hand.
The Mariners’ final two games of the regular season are Saturday’s F3 derby against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium, and next Wednesday night’s clash with Adelaide United in Gosford.
Wins in both of those matches will guarantee the Central Coast top spot and the Premier’s Plate, as will four points from the six available.
A win and a loss in those two games, or potentially even just one point, might also be enough for the Mariners depending on the result of the Phoenix’s final game of the regular season, Saturday’s battle with Macarthur FC at Sky Stadium.
Once the Mariners’ premiership and AFC Cup commitments are over, they will their turn their attention to the A-League finals series and winning back-to-back championships after thrashing Melbourne City 6-1 in last year’s grand final.