The Mariners are away to Chinese side Tianjin Teda in their first match on March 7 and have to back up for an away trip to Perth four days later, while they face Wellington away four days after their clash with Nagoya Grampus in Gosford on March 21.

''I'm a little bit disappointed,'' Arnold said. ''We've written a letter to FFA in August when we saw the draw … they knew that we were in the ACL and they give us Perth Glory and Wellington away in the last four games when we have ACL. We've requested on three or four occasions for them to have a look at it and potentially change it and we've had no response. I worry about the players' welfare … it [the scheduling] is crazy.''

Arnold said he could be forced to field weakened sides in either competition. ''I don't know whether to play the players who haven't played much in the A-League or the ACL. I don't know what to do, it's tough.''

The FFA would not comment on the issue yesterday, saying it would do so this week.

Saturday night's result extended the Mariners' unbeaten run to 15 games and cemented their status as championship favourites.