Down memory lane: Aussie-born Matthew Davies (left) returns to meet A-League club Central Coast Mariners in New South Wales today.
PETALING JAYA: It is familiar surroundings for Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) defender Matthew Davies.
The Malaysian international, who was born and raised in Australia, returns to meet A-League club Central Coast Mariners after 10 years in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) tournament at the Central Coast Stadium in New South Wales today.
Matthew, who is able to function as a rightback or centreback, revealed his delight to return to his birth nation where he first became a professional footballer.
“It is really good coming back. Amazing country, obviously I love it very much. Amazing place in the world,” said the 30-year-old.
“It has been little over 10 years since I played in Central Coast. It is a nice feeling to be back with a different team (JDT).
“It is a team that’s ambitious, that is taking this competition seriously. Nice place in the world for us to be, but we are here to get a result.”
Matthew formerly played for Perth Glory from 2013 to 2015, before moving to Pahang, where he played for the Elephants from 2015 to 2019 before joining the Southern Tigers in 2020.
He was eligible to play for Malaysia as his mother hails from Sabah. Matthew made his debut for Malaysia in 2015 and since then, he has won 55 caps.
Matthew revealed that he had the experience of facing Central Coast in the past but knows a lot has changed since then.
“I played them a couple of times in the Youth League and once with the senior team, when I was with Melbourne.
“The club have changed a lot since then and they have been doing well these last few years.”
When asked if he has shared any inputs with his teammates on how to take on clubs in Australia, Matthew said he didn’t divulge much due to the nature of Central Coast as a club.
“Not too much. It is a bit tricky with the Mariners in terms of analysis.
“They rotate or change the squad every year. They create local home grown players and sell them.
“The have been inconsistent this year, but they have had some great results in the league.
“But this is no illusion for us. It will be a difficult game. A tough place to come and get a result. It will be a physical game.
“This is our sixth year in the competition, and the Mariners‘ first in a long time.
“We have an advantage in terms of experience and we are looking to get a positive result.”
Central Coast, coached by Mark Jackson, are currently ninth in the A-League and bottom of the ACLE, with just a point from six games.
Only the top eight teams get to the next stage, with JDT currently occupying the sixth spot with eight points from six games.
Based on form, JDT are the favourites and Matthew would surely be savouring his trip back home as they look to secure a spot in the round-of-16 of the competition.
