The Central Coast Mariners are gearing up to face the Western Sydney Wanderers in the Isuzu UTE A-League, with the match scheduled to take place on Saturday. The Mariners are looking to bounce back from their recent loss in the AFC Champions League Elite, where they were defeated 2-0 by Kawasaki Frontale. Despite the loss, the team's young players gained valuable experience, with 16-year-old Haine Eames making history by becoming the youngest player to wear the captain's armband in the AFC Champions League.

Mariners head coach Mark Jackson praised Eames, stating that the decision to give him the captain's armband was not a gesture, but rather a recognition of his exceptional performance and leadership skills. Jackson believes that the experience gained by his young players in the AFC Champions League Elite will benefit the team in their quest to reach the A-Leagues finals. The Mariners are currently ninth in the standings, four points behind the top six, and a win against the Wanderers would bring them closer to their rivals.

The Western Sydney Wanderers, on the other hand, are sitting eighth in the standings, level on points with Macarthur and Sydney FC. They secured a crucial win in their previous match, with fullback Gab Cleur scoring a thunderous strike to seal a dramatic victory. The match between the Mariners and the Wanderers is expected to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to gain points and move up the standings. The match will kick off at 5:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, and fans can stream it live on Paramount+.

The Mariners' next five games will be crucial in determining their chances of reaching the finals, and they will need to perform well against tough opponents. The team's young players have been performing exceptionally well, and they will be looking to continue their good form in the upcoming matches. The experience gained by the team in the AFC Champions League Elite will also be beneficial in their quest for a spot in the finals. With the support of their fans, the Mariners will be looking to make a strong push for the top six in the remaining matches of the season.

Here are the match details and upcoming schedules for both teams:

• Match: Central Coast Mariners vs Western Sydney Wanderers
• Date: Saturday
• Time: 5:00 p.m. local time
• Stream: Paramount+
• Mariners' next five games:
  1. vs Western Sydney Wanderers
  2. vs Macarthur
  3. vs Sydney FC
  4. vs Newcastle Jets
  5. vs Melbourne City
• Wanderers' next five games:
  1. vs Central Coast Mariners
  2. vs Adelaide United
  3. vs Brisbane Roar
  4. vs Perth Glory
  5. vs Wellington Phoenix