Stallions ready to retake NPL Men’s glory

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27:  Mirjan Pavlovic of Marconi Stallions celebrates after scoring their first goal during the FFA Cup round of 32 match between Hume City and Marconi Stallions at ABD Stadium on July 27, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Marconi coach Peter Tsekenis says the club are eyeing off a successful return to the top echelon of state football when the 2018 season kicks off in under a month’s time.

The five-time former NSL Champions romped to a comprehensive premiership and championship double in 2017’s NPL 2 and Tsekenis believes the Stallions will be aiming to make up for lost time after a difficult few years.

“With the history that this club has it’s exciting to bring the club back to where it belongs,” he said.

“We don’t just want to make up the numbers, we’re here to win.”

Marconi will certainly favour their chances of pushing forward a premiership tilt given a range of quality acquisitions in the summer spearheaded by midfielder Mateo Poljak, a former AFC Asian Champions League winner with Western Sydney Wanderers with over 100 A-League appearances.

The 28-year-old will be joined by the talented Martin Lo and the experienced Sean O’Connell who played a vital role in APIA Leichhardt’s premiership winning 2017 season.

Northern Tigers youngster Braden Cheng and Chilean born attacker Emmanuel Ponce have also joined the Stallions for the 2018 campaign.

Ponce also played professionally in Bolivia as well as in the AFC Champions League with South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai.

But the real statement signing could well prove to be the capture of Blacktown City attacker James Andrew who scored 11 goals for City last season and is widely regarded as one of the most lethal offensive weapons across the state.

Tsekenis believes these additions alongside the core members of the 2017 double-winning squad make for dangerous reading for Marconi’s opponents.

The former Newcastle United and Sydney Olympic defender says his side’s unpredictability will also prove a valuable asset in the 2018 season.

“We’re a very adaptable team and can play many different styles of football.

“If we need pace to beat the opposition we have that, we’ve got players who are willing to roll their sleeves up if things aren’t going well, and we’ve got players who can score goals from different positions.

“I know what it takes to win and with the boys that we have we’re doing to be up there at the end of the year.

“I wouldn’t expect anything else – I coach to win.”

-By Jacob Windon