From the SMH this morning:
Andre shows there's no substitute for class
Michael Cockerill
December 8, 2008
CROWD favourite Andre Gumprecht hopes his thumping late equaliser for the Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night will help extend his professional career.
The German midfielder was overcome with emotion after his 83rd-minute rocket cancelled out Queensland Roar's equally stunning opener, a free-kick thrashed home in the 11th minute by Dutch striker Sergio van Dijk. Gumprecht admitted to shedding a tear or two while he was swamped by jubilant teammates as the significance of his third, and best, A-League goal sunk in. "I've been waiting for that," he said. "This goal was special to me because it was so important for my career."
Gumprecht was effectively shown the door by Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna at the end of last season but refused to accept his professional career was over. After staying fit during the off-season by playing in the NSW Premier League, he was eventually invited back into the Mariners fold with a one-season deal, only for an untimely injury on the eve of the campaign to sabotage his hopes of cementing a first-team spot.
But Gumprecht - who turned 34 a fortnight ago - has battled back from injury to appear as a substitute in the past four matches and he's hoping his wonder strike will not only prompt McKinna to hand him a start against Sydney FC next weekend, but also breathe fresh life into his career.
Asked if he was effectively fighting for his future, Gumprecht replied: "That's correct. Obviously, I was working hard and long for this day. I've been fighting the German way. I proved in the past whenever I was under pressure I was able to deliver. This was [sic] a sign of quality. It's the way professional football works sometimes the highs, sometimes the lows. I got hit with this nasty injury and for me it was a big setback. But I'm coming back now, so I'm very happy."
Not so happy, though, that he is content to stay on the bench or ignore other opportunities should the Mariners fail to offer him a new deal. North Queensland Fury coach Ian Ferguson was in the stands in Gosford on Saturday night casting an eye over the available talent and while Gumprecht has grown to love the Central Coast as much as the Mariners fans have come to love him, he's prepared to pack up once more if it means continuing playing at the highest level. The Mariners are the 12th club of his nomadic career.
"If you're a professional footballer, you have to be open for everything," he said. "I've been settled here in the coast, we're expecting a baby in a few weeks' time, I have my coaching academy here, so it's been great.
"Coming on the park and having the people cheering me, obviously I must have done something right in the three years I've played here. All I want is to get on the park and show my ability. You want to train hard, you want to get on the park, you want to battle hard, you want to win games, you want to get in finals and you want to win the whole thing. That's what we play football for. Being on the bench, I can't be happy with that. No professional footballer should be happy with that. I hope I can have a good impact in the remaining games and show Australia what Andre Gumprecht is about."
Gumprecht's late equaliser was the fourth time this season the Mariners have come from behind in the final 15 minutes to snatch a point, their sixth draw of the campaign.
Andre shows there's no substitute for class
Michael Cockerill
December 8, 2008
CROWD favourite Andre Gumprecht hopes his thumping late equaliser for the Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night will help extend his professional career.
The German midfielder was overcome with emotion after his 83rd-minute rocket cancelled out Queensland Roar's equally stunning opener, a free-kick thrashed home in the 11th minute by Dutch striker Sergio van Dijk. Gumprecht admitted to shedding a tear or two while he was swamped by jubilant teammates as the significance of his third, and best, A-League goal sunk in. "I've been waiting for that," he said. "This goal was special to me because it was so important for my career."
Gumprecht was effectively shown the door by Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna at the end of last season but refused to accept his professional career was over. After staying fit during the off-season by playing in the NSW Premier League, he was eventually invited back into the Mariners fold with a one-season deal, only for an untimely injury on the eve of the campaign to sabotage his hopes of cementing a first-team spot.
But Gumprecht - who turned 34 a fortnight ago - has battled back from injury to appear as a substitute in the past four matches and he's hoping his wonder strike will not only prompt McKinna to hand him a start against Sydney FC next weekend, but also breathe fresh life into his career.
Asked if he was effectively fighting for his future, Gumprecht replied: "That's correct. Obviously, I was working hard and long for this day. I've been fighting the German way. I proved in the past whenever I was under pressure I was able to deliver. This was [sic] a sign of quality. It's the way professional football works sometimes the highs, sometimes the lows. I got hit with this nasty injury and for me it was a big setback. But I'm coming back now, so I'm very happy."
Not so happy, though, that he is content to stay on the bench or ignore other opportunities should the Mariners fail to offer him a new deal. North Queensland Fury coach Ian Ferguson was in the stands in Gosford on Saturday night casting an eye over the available talent and while Gumprecht has grown to love the Central Coast as much as the Mariners fans have come to love him, he's prepared to pack up once more if it means continuing playing at the highest level. The Mariners are the 12th club of his nomadic career.
"If you're a professional footballer, you have to be open for everything," he said. "I've been settled here in the coast, we're expecting a baby in a few weeks' time, I have my coaching academy here, so it's been great.
"Coming on the park and having the people cheering me, obviously I must have done something right in the three years I've played here. All I want is to get on the park and show my ability. You want to train hard, you want to get on the park, you want to battle hard, you want to win games, you want to get in finals and you want to win the whole thing. That's what we play football for. Being on the bench, I can't be happy with that. No professional footballer should be happy with that. I hope I can have a good impact in the remaining games and show Australia what Andre Gumprecht is about."
Gumprecht's late equaliser was the fourth time this season the Mariners have come from behind in the final 15 minutes to snatch a point, their sixth draw of the campaign.
