The 2008 Premiers held Korean side Pohang Steelers to a goalless stalemate at Bluetongue Stadium in a drab game with few chances.

But Mariners boss McKinna still felt he could have come away with all three points.

"We said before the game that the first game's always a hard one because we don't know a lot about them and it's a new season for them," he said." But once we got going we looked reasonably comfortable throughout the game.

"The first half we felt reasonably in control and in the second half the corners were good and the delivery was good.

"Matt should have probably done better with his header and Danny made one good save, but overall with the run we've had, not conceding a goal was a big start for us and I think we can build on that as we go through."

McKinna was also positive about the way his midfield shaped up.

"That's the way we thought they'd play, that's the way we looked at defending against it," he said. "Huke and Hutch in the middle defensively with Ozzie and Hef did a great job.

"It was wet out there and there was skidding from both teams, we both lost possession at times but overall we were quite happy coming away with a draw."

Pohang's coach Sergio Farias had said he wasn't happy with a draw but McKinna fired back: "That's his opinion, maybe his English was mistranslated!

"I could come in here and say we should have won three or four nil which is rubbish but we're happy with a draw, probably thought we deserved a wee bit more, but comfy with a draw."

McKinna was more diplomatic about the 44 fouls given during the match, 27 awarded against the Mariners and 17 against Pohang.

"We're not used to as many fouls given but the ref was the same for both teams," he said. "Once the boys realised what the score was I think they were very respectful."

McKinna was confident about his side's capabilities but wary of the opposition's speed on the counter.

"You can't take chances against the Asian teams - they kill you on the break as we saw against Newcastle," he said. :Last week in China, anytime we turned the ball over in the midfield they really put us under pressure.

"They were playing more direct balls as well, especially when Denilson came on, because he holds the ball up very well.

"There was some good football, some good follow up, some good back up and some good movement from both teams."

McKinna said he was unsurprised that the Brazilian star player didn't start.

"They had a hard game last weekend and another this weekend," he added. "They're juggling things the same as Adelaide did at the end of last season.

"He's a good player, he was a handful when he came on. He looked very lively and uses his body well but I thought Boogs did a good job on him."

Overall, The Mariners coach said he was satisfied that everyone had played their part.

"The two boys upfront did all right, Caceres came on and did ok, Macca will be a good presence on the bench and will be back to full fitness next week but Gumprecht will probably miss the next match," he said.

"It was good for us to get Ahmad Elrich on for 10 minutes and good for him psychologically having been through a knee reconstruction.

"He's an international player and with his experience he'll be a big asset to us during the Champions League."

McKinna added that he would be watching a tape of the game between ACL rivals Tianjin Teda and Kawasaki Frontale - which ended in a slim 1-0 win for Kawasaki - as part of his preparation for next week's match.

The Mariners' Champions League campaign continues on Wednesday, March 18 against Chinese Super League heavyweights Tianjin Teda at Tianjin Teda Stadium. Kick off is at 11pm AEDT.