FFA Cup Preview – Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory
FFA CUP – ROUND OF 32
TUESDAY 5TH AUGUST 7:30 KO
WANDERERS OVAL
#NEWVPER #FFACUP
For this clash, Perth will be making the trip east to Magic Park, Broadmeadow, but it won’t have the usual home ground feel, as it is not the home of the Newcastle Jets. Both sides head into this clash on the back of some promising pre-season form. Perth Glory recently faced La Liga side Málaga CF which resulted in a confidence boosting one all draw, whereas the Newcastle Jets ran riot in an 8-1 demolition against Weston Bears.
New signing Jerónimo Morales Neumann showed his footballing ability wasn’t just for the likes of Adelaide United fans, as he produced an exciting all-round display scoring four goals in what is a boost for Phil Stubbins given the loss of A-League golden boot, Adam Taggart. Perth Glory coach, Kenny Lowe, stated after the Málaga game that their focus was aimed at concentrating on having the best preparation for the FFA Cup. Lowe made no effort to hide Glory’s intentions, letting all others know they are not in it to make up numbers; but to instead to take out the inaugural FFA Cup.
As both sides are right in the thick of the A-League pre-season, it is hard to properly gauge where either teams sit in terms of physical fitness, team structure and unity; all important aspects which sides are working on in the lead up to season 10 of the A-League. What fans of both can be sure is that they’ll be giving it their all. The joy for spectators that usually comes with knockout football tournaments is the attacking mindset teams most often adopt. With the possibility that your campaign could be overcome the conclusion of your first round of competing, the mentality to attack and greater will to win will be tested more than it has in recent times for both clubs.
This attacking mindset was very much on display on matchday one as fans witnessed a total of 15 goals scored. Glory will need to showcase their ability to attack, as last season yielded the least amount of goals for all A-League teams, scoring only 28 goals in 27 matches. The signing of experienced Irishman Andy Keogh will hopefully aid Glory in the push for more goals, but more importantly it’ll rely on the service that can be provided through the midfield. Due to injury and representative matches, both sides will be without key players for the much anticipated match.
A hot topic in the lead up to this match was the absence of key players who were selected to partake in the A-League All-Stars match, which is set to be played five days after matchday two. The All-stars concept has begun to receive widespread criticism for its need to have the players of its choosing for what is only viewed as a revenue raising exhibition match. The FFA Cup on the other hand is a chance for clubs like Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory to get their hands on some much desired silverware. With the likes of Mark Birighitti for the Jets and Michael Thwaite and Youssouf Hersi for the Glory out of this important clash, it has only dampened the view of supporters as to whether or not the FFA actually takes this concept seriously.
Fortunately, although forced, what it does do is provide opportunity for both sides to test their more youthful and inexperienced players whilst assessing their ability leading into the A-League season. Perth will take confidence in the fact they hold a record of 15 wins, six draws and six losses against the Jets, but given this is no regular season match, it is anyone’s for the taking and will come down to a little bit of luck, desire and the team who is the most willing to give it a go.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1
Newcastle Jets squad: 2.Scott NEVILLE, 3.Taylor REGAN, 4.Kew JALIENS, 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Adrian MADASCHI, 7.Jeronimo NEUMANN, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 10.Marcos FLORES, 11.Craig GOODWIN, 12.Sam GALLAGHER, 14.Josh BARESI, 15.Andrew HOOLE, 16.Jacob PEPPER, 17.James VIRGILI, 18.Mitchell OXBORROW, 19.Mitch COOPER, 20.Ben KENNEDY (GK), 21.Sam GALLAWAY, 23.David CARNEY, 24.Brandon LUNDY, 30.John SOLARI (GK)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Danny VUKOVIC (GK), 2.Jack CLISBY, 3.Brandon O’NEILL, 5.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nobojsa MARINKOVIC, 11.Richard GARCIA, 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Jamie MACLAREN, 16.Sidnei SCIOLA MORAES, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 18.Jack DUNCAN (GK), 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Danny DE SILVA, 21.Scott JAMIESON, 22.Cameron EDWARDS, 24.Matthew DAVIES, 25.Riley WOODCOCK, 26.Harry O’BRIEN
The match between the Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory will be broadcast on 1233 ABC Newcastle, online at abc.net.au/newcastle or on the 1233 ABC Radio App.
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