Central Coast Mariners have managed to grab a point from their first Asian Champions League group stage match for 2012.

The reigning A-League runners-up held Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin Teda to a 0-0 away draw to kick off their Group G campaign in positive fashion.

Mariners coach Graham Arnold was thrilled with the effort of his players who had a heavy travel schedule leading up to the match.

"I thought we played a fantastic game," Arnold said.

"After playing on Saturday in Australia and travelling for 22 hours with only two days here in Tianjin I thought it was a fantastic performance from my team. I was very proud of the way that we played. We definitely competed very well with a very good Tianjin team."

The Mariners next take on Nagoya Grampus in Gosford after the Japanese side were held to a 2-2 draw by Seongnam Ilhwa who host Tianjin with both matches March 21.

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