Mariners outclassed us: Rees

Beaten but not disgraced, Palm Beach Sharks defender Kristian Rees says Central Coast Mariners’ supreme fitness and professionalism told in the end of their Westfield FFA Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night.

The Sharks battled hard for 72 minutes against the Hyundai A-League side before conceding four late goals to lose 5-0 at CBUS Super Stadium.

“You could see it. They are a class outfit and are well-organized. They showed their class tonight,” Rees said of the Mariners on Fox Sports.

“They’ll do well this year. They gave our boys a lesson in the end

“But it’s good for our younger boys to learn from that and hopefully they can push on and improve on what we’ve got this year.”

The defeat brings to an end a memorable season for the Gold Coast club, which saw them win the Queensland PS4 NPL title as well as make the semi-finals of the national PS4 NPL series.

For 34-year-old Rees, who played in the Hyundai A-League with Gold Coast, Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix, the loss is likely to bring the curtain down on his 16-season senior career.

“I’m getting a bit old, the legs are struggling a bit,” the veteran defender said.

“I’ve got a few other things outside of football I’m involved with. It’s been good but it’s probably my last game I think.”