Jets striker Sasho Petrovski says the Jets are ready and raring to go in their Asian Champions League clash with J-League giants Nagoya Grampus at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Jets, who currently sit in third place in Group E, will be looking to consolidate on their recent good form which has included a 2-0 home win over Korean side Ulsan Hyundai and a 1-1 away draw against Nagoya in Japan.
“Preparations have been very steady,” he said. “We know the game against Nagoya is very important. Preparations have been building up and everyone has been busting their guts to get in the starting XI.”
The Jets will without suspended defenders Ljubo Milicevic and Adam D’Apuzzo but will be strengthened by the return of a number of key players from injury.
Italian playmaker Fabio Vignaroli has shaken off a hamstring complaint and trained at full pace with the team on the weekend while young strikers Jason Hoffman and Sean Rooney have been given the green light to return to on-field duties and are keen to push for a berth in the 18-man squad which will be named on Tuesday.
Mark Jesic returned to full match fitness with a sterling game against Nagoya while the versatile Tarek Elrich, who scored a goal against Nagoya in a roving upfront role, may have to move back into a defensive position for Wednesday night’s clash to cover the loss of Milicevic and D’Apuzzo.
Petrovski said the changes in the team had been a mild disruption but the competition for spots was strong which makes for a better team on the pitch.
“It has been difficult with so many new players coming in and with players coming back form injury and players leaving for new contracts overseas it is has been a bit disruptive,” he said.
“We were thrown into the lion’s den with the first match and it showed. But even though we don’t all speak the same language we have started to gel and are starting to get some results.”
“We have had a few weeks together and the whole squad is chirpier with each other.”
“We still have to learn to pay smarter and better – these teams have a lot more big game experience compared to us – but we have been trying to smarten up during training and we are confident of getting a good result against Nagoya.”
