Central Coast coach Phil Moss has declared it a landmark day for the A-League and his club after adding South Korean dead-ball specialist Kim Seung-yong to his rapidly replenishing playing stocks.
The signings of Kim and much-travelled central defender Eddy Bosnar have reversed the recent traffic flow out of the reigning champions following the departures of Daniel McBreen, Michael McGlinchey and Trent Sainsbury to clubs in China, Korea and the Netherlands respectively.
Moss is hopeful Kim and Bosnar will make their debuts against Melbourne Victory in Gosford on Saturday, although the pair are still awaiting international transfer clearance from their former clubs.
With midfielders Isaka Cernak and Glen Trefiro also poised to join the Mariners in the next couple of days, Moss believes the new arrivals will restore the competitive balance to a club that have lost several of their top performers over the past few months in addition to premiership-winning coach Graham Arnold to J-League outfit Vegalta Sendai.
“I think this is a landmark day for the A-League and definitely the Central Coast Mariners as well, to have a player of Kim’s quality and standing in Asian football,” Moss said.
Moss received glowing recommendations about his new Korean acquisition from Bosnar, striker Matt Simon and former Mariners skipper Alex Wilkinson, who have all faced him in the K-League.
“As soon as I saw the vision (of Kim) … and then his playing CV, it was pretty much a no-brainer,” Moss said.
Moss will consider using Kim as a winger, or playing behind the strikers in the number 10 role, and the 28-year-old has no concerns about adjusting to the A-League.
“I have previously played four matches against Australian teams before and I think Australian teams are very strong,” Kim said through his agent.
“But I have my own style and advantages to penetrate behind defenders.
“I will be pretty competitive against Australian players.
“With my previous ACL experience, I will add energy and experience to the upcoming ACL matches.”
Source: AAP
