The Newcastle Jets haven’t played finals football since 2010, and while this year is no different, they can still have a say in how the top six will finish when they host Sydney FC in the penultimate round of the A-League.
Join The Roar from 7.45pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
Phil Stubbins’ side recorded just their third win of the season when they surprised the Victory in Melbourne last week.
Perhaps the unlikeliest of victories, Stubbins, despite naming Mitch Cooper in an extended squad may well be tempted to field an unchanged line-up to take on the Sky Blues.
While the win may not save the Jets from the worst ever season, it does provide them with some momentum leading into their final home game of the season. How that momentum stacks up against a side that they’ve only beaten six times in 32 meetings remains to be seen but they will be confident after pushing a red-hot Sydney side all the way the last time these two sides met.
That night, Marc Janko capitalised on a rare mistake from defender Lee Ki-Je to hand Sydney a deserved one-nil victory. That mistake against Sydney aside, the South Korean has been a shining light in a poor season for the Jets and has made the right-back position his own.
Lee Ki-Je’s battle with Bernie Ibini’s was a highlight the last time these two sides met and with the Sydney FC winger recently recapturing the form that lead to a Socceroo call-up earlier in the season we can expect more fireworks on the flanks tonight.
While the Jets are struggling to stave off the wooden spoon, the visitors need to win to stay in touch with league leaders Melbourne Victory who opened up a three point lead after beating the Roar mid-week.
Following last week’s victory on the road in Perth, Sydney remain undefeated away from home this season and are favourites to continue their streak against a lack lustre Jets outfit.
Sydney will be boosted by the return of classy Senegalese midfielder Mickael Tavares and Shane Smeltz’s return from suspension. Tavares, has recovered from the groin injury that kept him out against the Glory and is expected to come straight in for Rhyan Grant in Sydney’s midfield. The versatile Grant will probably drop to the bench.
The last time the Jets beat Sydney was in December 2012 and despite pushing Sydney all they way in both previous fixtures this season, Sydney are expected to extend their unbeaten run against the Jets who have lacked cohesion all season. However with pride on the line, it won’t be one-way traffic and the Jets, playing for their futures, will take it the high-flying Sky Blues.
Join The Roar from 7.45pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
AZ_RBB
Guest
One of the best Friday nights of football you'll ever see. Great stuff.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+4' We enter the fourth minute of added time ... and finally Green blows full time. Somehow Sydney find three points, they go to 47, equal points with Melbourne but second on goal difference. The Jets, well, they paid for a slow start to the second half and then clocking off after conceding two fouls. Sydney very professional but going into the finals they won't be given those opportunities. Final score Newcastle 3 Sydney 4
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+3' Into the final minute of added time and again Newcastle push for the equaliser. They've probably been the better of the two in the last ten minutes. Won't go as far to say they deserve the draw. Newcastle 3 4 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+2' Great save by Janjetovic. He was diving full stretched to get in front of Cooper after a great ball from Hoole who has turned it on against the Club he will join next season. Newcastle 3 4 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+1' Peter Green has found three minutes of added time. If Sydney hold on they'll go equal with Victory on 47 and hope the Roar can reverse the mid-week result. Newcastle 3 4 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
89' Newcastle with some sustained possession, they are building here ... great ball to Alivodic who cushions it for Cooper but Janjetovic can claim. Was that the Jets' final chance? Edge of the seat finish. Newcastle 3 4 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
87' Free header from Cooper but it's well wide. Looked close from the other angle, a chance nonetheless. Newcastle 3 4 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
86' Ibini probably had an opportunity to shoot then, instead he rolled it to Stambolziev who drops the shoulder to open the space but his shot has little power in it. Kennedy collects and gets the play started by rolling it to Hoole. Newcastle 3 4 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
85' Great control from Alex Gersbach ... he has had a mixed night, perhaps at fault for two of the goals but still offered plenty in attack and defence, a good return to first team football. Newcastle 3 4 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
84' Change for Sydney. Triantis replacing Grant who has toiled well tonight. Triantis with the fresh legs in midfield. Newcastle 3 4 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
83' Game is opening up ... plenty of space in the middle of the park for both sides. Newcastle 3 4 Sydney Jets corner.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
82' Eight minutes to go at Hunter Stadium. Jets finishing with high energy. Is there another goal in this one? Newcastle 3 4 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
80' The Jets defence had switched off following two free kicks in a row and the ball into the box was headed back goalwards by Smeltz and Stambolziev was the johnny on the spot to volley home. Newcastle 3 4 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
79' Grant rides two challenges but he's caught and Green brings it back for the first infringement. Four three. Stambolziev hands Sydney the lead again. Newcastle 3 4 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
79' Final change for the Jets. Gallagher on for Pepper. Newcastle 3 3 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
78' Jets with nothing to lose tonight and they are playing accordingly. Is an upset on the cards? Newcastle 3 3 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
77' Jets have fought their way back into this and deserve to be level. Sydney FC looking to go in front again, they have corner but it's cleared up the park. Faty goes into the book for dragging Cooper off the ball. Newcastle 3 3 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
76' Hoole steps up .... ... and ... ... beats Janjetovic. The youngster sends the keeper the wrong way and the Jets draw level. Newcastle 3 3 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
75' Penalty JETS Gersbach slides in and collects Hoole, Green left with no choice. Obvious pen. Chance now for three three. Did Sydney clock off after racing to a 3-1 lead? Hoole to take. Newcastle 2 3 Sydney
billyelliott
Roar Guru
73' Newcastle with another foray into Sydney's 18 yard box. Janjetovic can safely collect but the warning signs are there for Sydney's defence which is being pushed right back by the Jet's counter-attacks. Newcastle 2 3 Sydney