Mariners aim to maintain the rage

Central Coast coach Graham Arnold wants his side to maintain the standard they set with their 7-2 rout of Sydney when they journey to Wellington.

The Mariners are full of confidence heading into Sunday’s A-League match after thumping Sydney on Saturday night in one of the most dominant efforts in the history of the competition.

While they are unlikely to match that performance, Arnold will be expecting his team to be up to the challenge that playing the Phoenix in New Zealand provides.

“We set a standard last week and now it’s up to us to try and maintain it,” Arnold said before the Mariners jetted out of Sydney.

“I felt a performance was coming last week and we did very well. The good thing is that I think there are areas we can improve.

“It’s only early in the season so we’ve got to keep working hard on the training ground.”

Tom Rogic has been impressive during the early rounds and will be out to continue his great form in what has been a week to remember for the teenager.

After his two-goal effort against Sydney, Rogic was given his first call up to the Australia squad for next week’s friendly against South Korea.

Rogic will be joined in the national squad by Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, with the pair to join up with the rest of the Socceroos after Sunday’s match.