Young Socceroo Mustafa Amini has been ruled out of the opening month of the A-League season with a groin injury. The young midfielder star, who will move to German champions Borussia Dortmund next year, is expected to be out until the end of October.
Amini, who is regarded as one of Australia’s most talented young prospects, will be a central figure for the Central Coast Mariners this season after the departure of Argentini playmaker Patricio Perez.
Adrian Pellegrino is expected to take over the number 10 role while Amini is unavailable.
It is believed that Amini has been suffering osteo pubis since the under-20 FIFA World Cup in July, and hasn’t played a match since then.
It is a blow to the club and for the youngster, in what is likely to be his last season playing locally in Australia for some years.
On Wednesday, the Mariners went down 3-1 to New Zealand club Auckland City in a trial game, their first pre-season loss. The O-League champions came back from a goal down after Oliver Bozanic put the Mariners ahead.
Last Sunday the Mariners defeated Wellington Phoenix 2-0 in Tauranga, thanks to goals from Patrick Zwaanswijk and Bernie Ibini-Isei.
In the pre-season the Mariners beat Perth Glory 1-0 earlier this month in Sydney, with the only goal scored by Adrian Pellegrino. They also defeated Lake Macquarie Roosters 3-0 at Macquarie Field, notched a 1-0 victory against Illawarra Premier League Champions Dandaloo FC, beat the Bankstown Lions 3-0 and recorded a historic victory against Scottish giants Glasgow Celtic in July.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Not sure about Harry, but it is the same condition (osteitis pubis) that kept Rhyse Williams out of the World Cup.
Midfielder
Guest
Is that the same injury that Harry got...
TomC
Guest
If it is the dreaded OP, then that's a serious concern. Plenty of athletes get dogged by that throughout their careers. Lets hope the Mariners do the right thing by him and put his career first, even if it hurts their prospects this season.