Experienced defender Andrew Durante said league points will trump public relations for Western United on their ground-breaking visit to Launceston this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Although the A-League's new Melbourne franchise will double Tasmania's A-League content in the space of six days, Durante said the players are focused on maximum points from Saturday's match against leaders Central Coast and Thursday's against his old club Wellington Phoenix.
"They are difficult games because they're both very good teams," he said.
"It's a crucial stage of the year so we want to be picking up points and continue on the run we've been on of late. It won't be easy but hopefully we can put on a show with a lot of entertainment for the fans but the most important thing is it's a home game for us so we want to be picking up maximum points."
The 38-year-old was born in Sydney but has played 24 times for New Zealand and 273 for Phoenix in a senior career spanning 20 years.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT:
United have won three of their last five but lost in the last minute to Phoenix on Sunday and Durante said Mark Rudan's side is excited to be treading new ground at Launceston's UTAS Stadium.
"It's the first time to go to Tasmania for most of the team. To be able to take our game to a region that does not have professional football is exciting and hopefully everyone comes out and supports us. There's a lot that goes into taking an entire football department but the club's all over it and the boys will get out and see as much of Launceston as possible because we're there for a week so want to see what's around."
United sit eighth on the ladder, two points ahead of Phoenix, with two games in hand.
An erratic season has seen the Truganina-based franchise, which joined the competition in 2019, struggle for consistency.
Aside from two early goalless draws, United's roller-coaster campaign has witnessed six wins and six draws including a 5-4 against Perth, 4-1 against Macarthur and 4-3 derby win over Melbourne Victory plus 3-2 losses to both upcoming Launceston opponents.
Widely-travelled veteran Besart Berisha has wasted little time establishing himself as the club's leading goal-scorer having also claimed the same accolade for the A-League.
In contrast, Alen Stajcic's Mariners have amassed nine wins, but only one in their last five and will have enjoyed an 11-day rest since a late Oliver Bozanic strike salvaged a 2-2 draw at Western Sydney Wanderers.
Tasmania's only previous A-League matches were at the same Launceston venue when Melbourne Victory twice drew 1-1 in 2013 and '14.