Central Coast Mariners defender Nigel Boogaard last week made his long-awaited return to the Hyundai A-League scene after a devastating battle with illness that left him on the side-lines for two years straight.

Over his recovery and time away from Australia’s highest level, Boogaard has been playing for the Mariners’ official feeder club, the Central Coast Lightning, which has provided him an ideal amount of competitive football to help him back on track.

Going into the match against Queensland Roar at Wade Park, Orange on Saturday, Boogaard will certainly be looking to consolidate his recent new found confidence against a side in which the Mariners have not beaten in any Hyundai A-League regular season fixture.

In fact the Mariners and the Roar are the most statistically matched sides in all Hyundai A-League endorsed competitions.

The Roar and the Mariners have tied six times in the eight matches in which the sides have met, with the Roar beating the yellow and navy once in the Hyundai A-League regular season and the Mariners overcoming the Roar in the first ever Pre-Season Cup.

"We haven’t beaten the Roar in two series of the Hyundai A-League, so we will definitely be trying to beat them to get rid of the bogey label," said Boogaard.

"I’ve played all of the trial games this year, I’m feeling strong and definitely looking forward to getting on the pitch this year.

"The boys are looking forward to doing a lot better this year, all the boys were very disappointed about where we came last season in the Hyundai A-League and in the Pre-Season Cup, so the boys are very keen to make the final this time.

"The key reason why we did not do so well last year was because we didn’t score goals, and with Dean Heffernan, Greg Owens, Sasho Petrovski and Mile Jedinak, there should be plenty of goals there."

Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna has a lot of faith in his 20-year-old defender, and after watching his progress with the Central Coast Lightning, is confident he can prove himself in the coming Hyundai A-League season.

"Nigel has great potential and I think this is his year to step up, show what he can do and hopefully become a main squad player." said McKinna.

The Mariners continue their 2007 Pre-Season Cup campaign in the central west of New South Wales this Saturday, 21 July, when they will take on the Queensland Roar at Orange’s Wade Park. Kick off is at 3pm.

Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season are now available for purchase online at www.ccmariners.com.au, or from Rebel Sports outlets at Erina and Tuggerah.