Don't Play
Replay Replay Video Icon
Player help icon
Video settings
Video will begin in 5 seconds.
Return to video
Please Log into update your video settings
More video
Recommended Replay video
Return to video
Video settings
Please Log into update your video settings
Plays of the Week
From tight corners to trick shots, these are the most exciting, silly and downright crazy plays in the sport world this week.
PT2M13S 620 349The Central Coast Mariners have completed their double swoop of ex-Sydney FC pair Jacques Faty and Mickael Tavares after the latter was released by the Sky Blues on Monday afternoon.
Veteran defender Faty was picked up the Mariners last week, just hours after being cut by the Sky Blues. As soon as that deal was completed, speculation mounted that Tavares would be joining his cousin in Gosford, despite having a year to run on his contract.
The move of the two players appears to be a win-win, with the Mariners badly needing some experience while the Sky Blues urgently need to refresh their squad - and the space in the salary cap will be welcomed by Graham Arnold, who also gets the chance to find two new visa players next season.
Mickael Tavares in control against Melbourne Victory in January. Photo: Robert Cianflone
"Mickael had a great start to his career at Sydney FC and helped us reach the heights last year in our record-breaking season," Arnold said. "This season things haven't gone as well and we have agreed to part company but I wish him very well for the future and the best of luck to him and his family."
Advertisement
The French-born Senegalese international said he was grateful to the club for giving him the chance to play in the A-League and to be a part of a team that make it to the season finale last year.
"I thank Sydney FC for giving me the opportunity come and play in Australia. I have some good memories including our record-breaking run and reaching the grand final," he said. "I'd like to thank the Sydney FC members and fans for their support, they have been fantastic and I wish the club the best for the future."
Double deal: Jacques Faty. Photo: Quinn Rooney
Tavares said as soon as Faty signed with the Mariners, he was keen to head north - where he plans to "aim for the top six"
"It's a great feeling and I am very happy to be a part of this club. My cousin helped me make my decision, it's obviously better to be with someone you grew up with," he said. "Everyone that I've spoken to has had nothing but positive things to say about the club and I have an ambition to be successful with this club.
"I am also here to help the young ones, the Mariners have some young players with good quality who need more experience so me and Jacques will try and bring this to the team and help the youngsters develop."
Tavares, 33, has been something of a journeyman throughout his career, never spending more than two years at a club, despite having some impressive stops - Hamburg, Slavia Prague, Fulham and Middlesbrough - on his resume. He also racked up 25 caps for the national team after making his debut for Senegal in 2009.
"Mickael has played in a lot of good leagues around Europe," said Mariners' coach Tony Walmsley. "When we looked at adding quality in our midfield we were looking for two things: physical attributes and the ability to keep the ball for longer periods.
"It's clear that he is a very strong willed midfielder who can not only break up opponents attacks but in possession he's very good at moving the ball from one end of the pitch to the other."
"Of course they [Faty and Tavares] both know each other well, they have an existing relationship. After the season that we've had we want to build quickly a cohesive unit and this makes sure the pre-season accelerates quicker than it normally would, so I'm excited."