Last week the Jets were in New Zealand, now they’re in Perth. That’s a tough schedule for a side seeking their first win of the season, especially against a Glory outfit riding high following a big midweek Cup win over Victory.
Saturday, 1 November 2014
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-Off: 4:30 PM (Local) (7:30 PM AEDT)
Referee: Ben Williams
Assistant Referee 1: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referee 2: Tim Mihevc
Fourth Official: David Bruce
TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive coverage on FOX SPORTS 1HD & 1 from 7.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 720 ABC Perth, Local Radio WA, 1233 ABC Newcastle, Grandstand Digital, ABC Grandstand Online/ABC Radio phone app
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #PERvNEW
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Danny VUKOVIC (GK), 2.Jack CLISBY, 3.Brandon O’NEILL, 5.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Youssouf HERSI, 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 11.Richard GARCIA, 13.Diogo FERREIRA, 15.Jamie MACLAREN, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 18.Jack DUNCAN (GK), 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Daniel DE SILVA, 21.Scott JAMIESON, 23.Michael THWAITE (C), 24.Matthew DAVIES
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 20.Daniel DE SILVA (promoted), 24.Matthew DAVIES (promoted),
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH (back), 16.Sidnei SCIOLA (calf), 14.Chris HAROLD (thigh), 26.Harry O’BRIEN (groin)
Newcastle Jets Squad: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK), 2.Scott NEVILLE, 3.Taylor REGAN, 4.Kew JALIENS (c), 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 7.Jeronimo NEUMANN, 8.Zenon CARAVELLA, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 10.Marcos FLORES, 11.Andrew HOOLE, 12.Sam GALLAGHER, 13.Edson MONTANO, 16.Jacob PEPPER, 17.James VIRGILI, 18.Allan WELSH, 20.Ben KENNEDY (GK), 21.Sam GALLAWAY, 23.David CARNEY
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI (promoted), 18.Allan WELSH (promoted), 20.Ben KENNEDY (GK) (promoted)
Outs: 30.John Solari (not selected)
Unavailable: 6.Adrian MADASCHI (calf– 1-2 weeks), 14.Billy CELESKI (groin – 4-6 weeks), 15.Josh BARRESI (knee – season), 19.Mitch COOPER (knee – 3-5 weeks)
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
Perth will be looking to get back on track in this one after their strong start to the season came unstuck in defeat away to Adelaide United on Sunday.
The Jets are yet to register a victory in season 2014-15 and never looked likely to do so away to Wellington Phoenix last time out.
A nightmare draw for Phil Stubbins’ side, one that has seen them play their first four matches of the season away from home due to returfing for the Asian Cup, culminates with a marathon trip to Western Australia before they finally return to Hunter Stadium in Round 5.
OPTA DATA STATS
The Jets demonstrated last weekend that possession isn’t everything. The visitors to the Westpac Stadium had 60.8 percent of the ball, played more passes (559 to 359) and boasted a better accuracy than the Phoenix (81.2 percent to 75.5) but were ripped apart on the counter-attack and went home empty-handed.
ROUTE TO GOAL
Perth could be tempted to replicate Wellington’s successful approach. If they can keep it tight at the back, with Rostyn Griffiths shielding the back four, Glory can then spring some fast counters, employing Mitch Nichols’ passing range to release Jamie Maclaren and Youssouf Hersi in behind or get them running directly at the Jets’ defence. Andy Keogh and Richard Garcia won’t need a second invitation to loiter in the box and get on the end of any chances that present themselves.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Daniel De Silva reminded us all of his promise and burgeoning talent with a well-taken goal in Glory’s 4-2 extra-time Westfield FFA Cup quarter-final win over Melbourne Victory on Wednesday, prompting the Roma-bound youngster to publicaly stake his claim to a starting berth. Will the Young Socceroo get his wish in the Hyundai A-League this weekend? Watch this space.
FORM LINES
Prior to that dramatic triumph against Victory, Perth went down 2-0 at Adelaide on Sunday, having beaten Brisbane Roar 3-2 and Wellington Phoenix 2-1 home and away respectively in the first two rounds of the season.
The Jets opened their campaign with a last-minute loss in the F3 derby to Central Coast, followed by a 1-1 draw with Melbourne City and a 4-1 defeat at Wellington.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Jets enjoyed a three-game winning run against the Glory between September 2010 and November 2011, scoring eight goals without reply. But they haven’t beaten the team from WA in nine meetings since, Perth winning seven of those with two draws.
PREDICTION
Result: Perth Glory 2-0 Newcastle Jets
We’re backing the Glory, fresh from booking their place in the semi-finals of the Cup, to rediscover their winning touch in the league and continue their recent hoodoo over the Hunter Stadium side, who will need to wait until they play in front of their own fans to get off the mark in 2014-15.
