Jesper Hakansson no closer to securing Jets deal

THE NEWCASTLE HERALD

By Josh Leeson

DOUBTS remain over whether Danish triallist Jesper Hakansson will be signed by the Newcastle Jets.
The attacking midfielder took no part in Saturday night's 0-0 Pre-Season Cup draw with Adelaide United at Cessnock Sportsground because the Jets did not get insurance cover in time for him to play.

A clearance from Hakansson's Danish club Lyngby BK came through late on Friday.

Hakansson arrived in Newcastle on Tuesday, but due to jet-lag, he had an unsettled week of training.

Uncertainty about his ability to take part in Saturday's game meant the Jets held off on insuring him, said operations manager Craig Deans.

"There's no point doing things if you're not sure how a person will be physically feeling," he said.

Deans indicated there was also some reservation on Hakansson's part.

"I think he might have a couple of offers back home in Europe so I think he needs to make his own mind up on the situation as well," he said.

Hakansson will join the rest of the squad in Port Macquarie today to prepare for Saturday night's final Pre-Season Cup match against Melbourne.

The Dane would have felt at home in the frosty conditions at Cessnock on Saturday night in front of the 2756 people.

The goalless match did nothing to warm up the spectators until the second half.

The crowd were fooled into expecting a goalscoring feast in the first minute, when Adelaide's Travis Dodd cut open the defence.

The game then turned into a tight midfield battle with plenty of physicality from the more experienced United players on the Jets' younger brigade.

Jason Hoffman played at striker but lacked quality ball in the first half.

Jets coach Gary van Egmond applauded his side's effort, but admitted they lacked the touch of Joel Griffiths, who was rested after having cortisone injection is his ankle last week.

"We just need a bit more silk in that final third," van Egmond said.

The Jets had their first shot at goal in the 52nd minute when Jin-hyung Song skipped into space.

Song continued to cause Adelaide's problems, but it failed to materialise into goalscoring opportunities.

Jets midfielder Jobe Wheelhouse's passing game was in fine class and he created several chances.

In the space of a minute, the Novocastrian produced two penetrative passes to Song and Ben Kantarovski.

Kantarovski, 16, nearly scored off the Wheelhouse pass which would have topped off an impressive debut.

"He's 16 years of age and didn't look out of place at all. He's a big boy for his age and can get along the park when he needs to his distribution is good," van Egmond said.

In the final quarter of the match, Adelaide had several chances through substitute Jason Spagnuolo, but central defender Adam Griffiths shut down any chance of a late victory for the visitors.

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