In-form midfielder Jake Hollman says Macarthur are refusing to give up hope of claiming top spot in the A-League Men as the battle for the premiers’ plate heats up.
Heading into round 21 with just seven games of the regular season left, the third-placed Bulls trail the Mariners by five points and are a further three points behind league-leaders Wellington.
The sides who finish the year in the top two spots have a week off and go straight to the semi-finals.
Macarthur meet Wellington in the final game of the home-and-away season but first, on Sunday, will host the Mariners at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday.
A win would help cut that deficit and Hollman is keen to ensure his side strengthen their climb towards the top of the table.
“We’re playing really well at the moment and we’re fighting really well,” Hollman said.
“We plan on continuing that all the way through to the end of the season to finals.
“It's an expectation we have in the club, that we don’t just push for finals but to push for first and second spot.
“I think we can do that. It’s always a tough game against the Mariners, they’re doing well in the league and the AFC Cup and we plan on spoiling this weekend.”
Goalkeeper Filip Kurto is likely to be critical against the Mariners, who will enter Sunday’s game on a tight turn-around after sealing their passage to the inter-zone play-off final of the AFC Cup with a 4-0 win over Indian side Odisha on Thursday.
Macarthur’s Polish shot-stopper enjoyed one of his best performances of the campaign, shutting out Melbourne City in a gritty 2-0 win.
“Fil’s an amazing keeper and the amount of saves he makes for the club is big and as players you feel an extra sense of security with him,” Hollman said.
