FOUR FOUR TWO
MELBOURNE Victory are set to stick with a similar starting line-up as last week for Friday's match against Newcastle Jets, with goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos likely to be the only change.
Coach Ernie Merrick won't fix what ain't broke, which means Archie Thompson is likely to come off the bench while Theoklitos, the first-choice stopper, comes in for understudy Mitch Langerak.
Merrick said he has been pleased with Theoklitos's efforts at training this week, which have shown he is over the ankle injury which saw him miss the trip to Wellington.
"That's the second training session he's got through without holding back. It looks like he's going to come back into goal," he said.
While Thompson may be the Hyundai A-League's all-time leading scorer, Victory will be patient with their marquee star who is coming back from an ankle injury picked up during his recent Olympic campaign.
"My feeling on Archie is that 100 percent he'll be in the squad," he said. "We won 4-2 last week, there won't be many changes to the starting XI and Archie hasn't played a lot of football.
"It's not always wise to start someone in a situation where the game is very intense at the beginning. To come off the bench would be pretty good.
"I think that the two strikers were the two outstanding players in last week. If we decide to bring Archie on, we can always play with three strikers with Carlos behind, that would be a very attacking force. I relish the thought."
There is positive news on Rody Vargas, who picked up a leg injury in the wet and wild clash with the Phoenix. The defender has trained solidly this week and will play against the Jets.
"He looks pretty good Rody," added Merrick. "He jarred his knee in a tackle, midway through the first half but there doesn't seem to be any major damage.
"The ankle took the brunt of it. The ankle is what swelled up. That can be easily taped and he's got through training without any problems."
However Nick Ward's comeback from a calf injury is likely to be delayed until after the international break with Victory unlikely to risk the fitness of the midfielder.
"I was just talking to him and the physiotherapist there, and we'll finalise it later this afternoon," said Merrick.
"Not worth the risk that this is the first time this year we've had all 22 players in the squad train. I don't see the point in risking a calf injury, which can be quite niggly.
"We've got a week off after this, so maybe it's worth leaving it another week."
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Jesper cleared for A-League debut
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
By Josh Leeson
JETS fans will finally get a chance to see Jesper Hakansson in action after the Danish recruit was given the all-clear for tomorrow night's match against Melbourne.
Hakansson, 27, tore his calf muscle at training more than three weeks ago and has been unavailable for the season's first two matches against the Mariners and Perth.
He is capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or in a holding role, but Jets coach Gary van Egmond said he would be used to link the midfield to strikers Edmundo Zura and Joel Griffiths.
"We're looking forward to seeing the partnership between the players in the front third," van Egmond said.
"At a push he can play as a deeper midfielder, but I think he's more of a player who plays in that attacking third and he's got some real good qualities."
One of those qualities van Egmond is looking to take advantage of is his experience of playing for Lyngby BK in the Danish first division.
"I think he's one who can actually organise quite well. He's seen things with his experience playing in Europe. He's a real leader he leads by example as well," van Egmond said.
"He has a tremendous work ethic, can score goals and the timing of his pass is good."
Hakansson's return means only Jets defender Shaun Ontong (ankle) is unavailable for selection.
Newcastle have a great record against Melbourne, recording four wins and a draw from their past five clashes.
But the Victory will be boosted tomorrow by the return of striker Archie Thompson, midfielder Nick Ward and goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos.
"It's a real embarrassment of riches what they've got down there," van Egmond said.
Article Source http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/soccer/jesper-cleared-for-aleague-debut/1256014.aspx
By Josh Leeson
JETS fans will finally get a chance to see Jesper Hakansson in action after the Danish recruit was given the all-clear for tomorrow night's match against Melbourne.
Hakansson, 27, tore his calf muscle at training more than three weeks ago and has been unavailable for the season's first two matches against the Mariners and Perth.
He is capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or in a holding role, but Jets coach Gary van Egmond said he would be used to link the midfield to strikers Edmundo Zura and Joel Griffiths.
"We're looking forward to seeing the partnership between the players in the front third," van Egmond said.
"At a push he can play as a deeper midfielder, but I think he's more of a player who plays in that attacking third and he's got some real good qualities."
One of those qualities van Egmond is looking to take advantage of is his experience of playing for Lyngby BK in the Danish first division.
"I think he's one who can actually organise quite well. He's seen things with his experience playing in Europe. He's a real leader he leads by example as well," van Egmond said.
"He has a tremendous work ethic, can score goals and the timing of his pass is good."
Hakansson's return means only Jets defender Shaun Ontong (ankle) is unavailable for selection.
Newcastle have a great record against Melbourne, recording four wins and a draw from their past five clashes.
But the Victory will be boosted tomorrow by the return of striker Archie Thompson, midfielder Nick Ward and goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos.
"It's a real embarrassment of riches what they've got down there," van Egmond said.
Article Source http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/soccer/jesper-cleared-for-aleague-debut/1256014.aspx
Jets Call-Ups To 'Roos Squad
FOUR FOUR TWO
NEWCASTLE Jets stars Jade North and Ante Covic have earned Socceroo recalls in the squad for the Holland friendly next month, announced by Pim Verbeek today.
The Qantas Socceroos Head Coach has selected an extended 27-player squad for the upcoming international friendly match against the Netherlands on September 6 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Round 4 match against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on Wednesday 10 September.
Covic and North are the only A-League names among the Socceroos squad which also includes Michael Beauchamp, Jacob Burns, Brett Emerton, Brad Jones, Harry Kewell,and Shane Stefanutto. As expected, neither Tim Cahill or Mark Viduka are fit to take their place.
Verbeek said the challenge was out there now for A-League players to prove they were up to the standard to play in this World Cup qualification campaign.
"These two guys are the two who have made an impression on me the last five or six months. I know they can do for a job for us," he said. "It's up to the boys in the A-League now to lift their standards and we will look at them when we are back in Australia for the next games."
Verbeek said he will work out after the game against the Dutch in Eindhoven how many players he will take to Central Asia for the opening match of the second stage of World Cup qualification.
"We have this squad together for the first week in training and before we leave we will work out how many players will take to Tashkent," Verbeek said on Wednesday.
Richard Garcia, who was a late inclusion for the recent friendly against South Africa, has been named after scoring for Hull on the weekend, while Norwegian-based Shane Stefanutto gets a call up. Stefanutto made his debut in 2007 in a friendly against China.
"Games like this are good to see some players," Verbeek said. "Players we haven't had in the camp. Stefanutto is a left player. He was in previous squads. Henk Duut watched him play last weekend. It's a good chance for his to show himself, like we did last time with Garcia."
Coming back into the squad from the 2-2 draw against Bafana Bafana in August are Michael Beauchamp, Jacob Burns, Brett Emerton, Brad Jones, Harry Kewell, Covic, North and Stefanutto.
Verbeek has gone for a European-based feel to his team, leaving out most of the best local players, including Archie Thompson. Adam Federici is the other notable omission from the squad, with Brad Jones and Covic favoured as Mark Schwarzer's understudies. All 27 players have already made their international debut.
The match against the Uzbeks marks the beginning of the second stage of Australia's qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Australia must finish top two in a group which also contains, Japan, Bahrain and Qatar to book an automatic place in that tournament.
Socceroos Squad
Michael BEAUCHAMP Aalborg BK, Denmark
Mark BRESCIANO U.S. Citta di Palermo, Italy
Jacob BURNS FC Unirea Valahorum, Romania
David CARNEY Sheffield United FC, England
Scott CHIPPERFIELD FC Basel, Switzerland
Chris COYNE Colchester United FC, England
Ante COVIC Newcastle Jets, Australia
Jason CULINA PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands
Bruce DJITE Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey
Brett EMERTON Blackburn Rovers, England
Richard GARCIA Hull City FC, England
Vincenzo GRELLA Blackburn Rovers, England
Brett HOLMAN AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands
Brad JONES Middlesbrough FC, England
Josh KENNEDY Karlsruher SC, Germany
Harry KEWELL Galatasaray SK, Turkey
Scott McDONALD Celtic FC, Scotland
Mark MILLIGAN uncontracted
Lucas NEILL West Ham United FC, England
Jade NORTH Newcastle Jets, Australia
Michael PETKOVIC Sivasspor, Turkey
Mark SCHWARZER Fulham FC, England
Matthew SPIRANOVIC FC Nurnberg, Germany
Shane STEFANUTTO FC Lyn Oslo, Norway
Mile STERJOVSKI Derby County FC, England
Carl VALERI U.S. Grosseto FC, Italy
Luke WILKSHIRE Dynamo Moscow, Russia
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/83465,jets-callups-to-roos-squad.aspx
NEWCASTLE Jets stars Jade North and Ante Covic have earned Socceroo recalls in the squad for the Holland friendly next month, announced by Pim Verbeek today.
The Qantas Socceroos Head Coach has selected an extended 27-player squad for the upcoming international friendly match against the Netherlands on September 6 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Round 4 match against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on Wednesday 10 September.
Covic and North are the only A-League names among the Socceroos squad which also includes Michael Beauchamp, Jacob Burns, Brett Emerton, Brad Jones, Harry Kewell,and Shane Stefanutto. As expected, neither Tim Cahill or Mark Viduka are fit to take their place.
Verbeek said the challenge was out there now for A-League players to prove they were up to the standard to play in this World Cup qualification campaign.
"These two guys are the two who have made an impression on me the last five or six months. I know they can do for a job for us," he said. "It's up to the boys in the A-League now to lift their standards and we will look at them when we are back in Australia for the next games."
Verbeek said he will work out after the game against the Dutch in Eindhoven how many players he will take to Central Asia for the opening match of the second stage of World Cup qualification.
"We have this squad together for the first week in training and before we leave we will work out how many players will take to Tashkent," Verbeek said on Wednesday.
Richard Garcia, who was a late inclusion for the recent friendly against South Africa, has been named after scoring for Hull on the weekend, while Norwegian-based Shane Stefanutto gets a call up. Stefanutto made his debut in 2007 in a friendly against China.
"Games like this are good to see some players," Verbeek said. "Players we haven't had in the camp. Stefanutto is a left player. He was in previous squads. Henk Duut watched him play last weekend. It's a good chance for his to show himself, like we did last time with Garcia."
Coming back into the squad from the 2-2 draw against Bafana Bafana in August are Michael Beauchamp, Jacob Burns, Brett Emerton, Brad Jones, Harry Kewell, Covic, North and Stefanutto.
Verbeek has gone for a European-based feel to his team, leaving out most of the best local players, including Archie Thompson. Adam Federici is the other notable omission from the squad, with Brad Jones and Covic favoured as Mark Schwarzer's understudies. All 27 players have already made their international debut.
The match against the Uzbeks marks the beginning of the second stage of Australia's qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Australia must finish top two in a group which also contains, Japan, Bahrain and Qatar to book an automatic place in that tournament.
Socceroos Squad
Michael BEAUCHAMP Aalborg BK, Denmark
Mark BRESCIANO U.S. Citta di Palermo, Italy
Jacob BURNS FC Unirea Valahorum, Romania
David CARNEY Sheffield United FC, England
Scott CHIPPERFIELD FC Basel, Switzerland
Chris COYNE Colchester United FC, England
Ante COVIC Newcastle Jets, Australia
Jason CULINA PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands
Bruce DJITE Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey
Brett EMERTON Blackburn Rovers, England
Richard GARCIA Hull City FC, England
Vincenzo GRELLA Blackburn Rovers, England
Brett HOLMAN AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands
Brad JONES Middlesbrough FC, England
Josh KENNEDY Karlsruher SC, Germany
Harry KEWELL Galatasaray SK, Turkey
Scott McDONALD Celtic FC, Scotland
Mark MILLIGAN uncontracted
Lucas NEILL West Ham United FC, England
Jade NORTH Newcastle Jets, Australia
Michael PETKOVIC Sivasspor, Turkey
Mark SCHWARZER Fulham FC, England
Matthew SPIRANOVIC FC Nurnberg, Germany
Shane STEFANUTTO FC Lyn Oslo, Norway
Mile STERJOVSKI Derby County FC, England
Carl VALERI U.S. Grosseto FC, Italy
Luke WILKSHIRE Dynamo Moscow, Russia
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/83465,jets-callups-to-roos-squad.aspx
The Cap Won't Fit Troisi At Jets
FOUR FOUR TWO
NEWCASTLE Jets have ruled out breaking the bank to recruit Olyroo James Troisi to the side.
Jets CEO John Tsatsimas today confirmed there was no chance of bringing free agent Troisi into the Newcastle fold because the cash simply wasn't there to pay him.
"At the moment, our cap is pretty much full," he told au.fourfourtwo.com. "There's not much room to move."
The Jets moneyman admitted the club could find the cash if they were to use up their service agreement entitlements - but the club is still firmly opposed to them.
"Our policy is set in stone and we won't divert from that," he vowed. "It's well-recorded and we won't change that unless there is a change in policy at HQ."
But Tsatsimas paid tribute to Troisi and refused to rule him out completely.
"Troisi is a very good player and there's always room for very good players," he said. "But for the moment, I can't see that happening."
The only way Troisi could find a way into the side was if the Jets were to lose a player before the transfer window closes at the end of the week and free up cap space.
Jets skipper Jade North has been linked with a move away from the club, but Newcastle insist they have yet to see an offer in writing.
"With every day passing, the likelihood of Jade going is reducing," he said.
He said the club had heard nothing from any Turkish clubs despite hype about an impending move to Bruce Djite's new club, Genclerbirligi.
"I don't know if there was any contract in the first place," he said. "There was a lot of talk with agents but nothing concrete has come across my desk."
Although the Jets would ideally hope for a like-for-like replacement in the event they do lose North, another Olyroo free agent Mark Milligan is off the club's radar.
Tsatsimas added: "Milligan is a good player but whether he would be a good Newcastle player is another thing. We have to be able to accommodate players."
Along with Troisi and Milligan, fellow Olyroo and former Hereford United fullback Trent McClenahan is also looking for a new club for next season.
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/83448,the-cap-wont-fit-troisi-at-jets.aspx
NEWCASTLE Jets have ruled out breaking the bank to recruit Olyroo James Troisi to the side.
Jets CEO John Tsatsimas today confirmed there was no chance of bringing free agent Troisi into the Newcastle fold because the cash simply wasn't there to pay him.
"At the moment, our cap is pretty much full," he told au.fourfourtwo.com. "There's not much room to move."
The Jets moneyman admitted the club could find the cash if they were to use up their service agreement entitlements - but the club is still firmly opposed to them.
"Our policy is set in stone and we won't divert from that," he vowed. "It's well-recorded and we won't change that unless there is a change in policy at HQ."
But Tsatsimas paid tribute to Troisi and refused to rule him out completely.
"Troisi is a very good player and there's always room for very good players," he said. "But for the moment, I can't see that happening."
The only way Troisi could find a way into the side was if the Jets were to lose a player before the transfer window closes at the end of the week and free up cap space.
Jets skipper Jade North has been linked with a move away from the club, but Newcastle insist they have yet to see an offer in writing.
"With every day passing, the likelihood of Jade going is reducing," he said.
He said the club had heard nothing from any Turkish clubs despite hype about an impending move to Bruce Djite's new club, Genclerbirligi.
"I don't know if there was any contract in the first place," he said. "There was a lot of talk with agents but nothing concrete has come across my desk."
Although the Jets would ideally hope for a like-for-like replacement in the event they do lose North, another Olyroo free agent Mark Milligan is off the club's radar.
Tsatsimas added: "Milligan is a good player but whether he would be a good Newcastle player is another thing. We have to be able to accommodate players."
Along with Troisi and Milligan, fellow Olyroo and former Hereford United fullback Trent McClenahan is also looking for a new club for next season.
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/83448,the-cap-wont-fit-troisi-at-jets.aspx
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Jade believes Jets ready for Victory
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
By Robert Dillon
JETS captain Jade North expects Melbourne to be fired up on Friday night to bury their Newcastle hoodoo.
The A-League champions have not lost to the Victory since October 8, 2006, and have racked up four wins and a draw from their past five clashes with Melbourne.
At Telstra Dome, venue for Friday night's showdown, Newcastle have a perfect record after winning last season's clashes 2-0 and 3-1.
North said yesterday that record would provide Melbourne, who are the early leaders after two rounds of the season, with a source of motivation on Friday night.
"I think they'll be out for revenge because we've been their bogy team for the last couple of years," he said.
"We've been able to knock them off a few times and hopefully we can keep that record going.
"But they've got some good players and they had a good win [4-2 against Wellington] last weekend, so we're going to have to be on our game."
North said Newcastle needed to improve defensively after their 3-all draw with Perth last Friday.
"We probably made it difficult for ourselves," he said.
"The first goal we conceded was from a penalty, which didn't help.
"The second goal Perth scored was a great header and a great goal, but we probably should have stopped them from getting the cross in.
"Their last goal was probably because we were pushing forward, looking for the win, and got caught out of position a bit.
"I suppose the good thing is we're not having any trouble scoring goals, but we need to tidy up our defence a bit this week."
North said Newcastle were eager to notch their first win of the season after having to salvage draws from the first two games of their title defence, against Central Coast (1-1) and the Glory last Friday night.
"We've shown good fighting spirit, but we could easily have taken all six points rather than just two," he said.
Meanwhile, the Socceroos defender said he had heard nothing more about a possible move overseas and had accepted that he would probably play out the season with Newcastle.
There had been rumours that clubs in Turkey and France were interested in recruiting the 26-year-old, but they are running out of time because the August transfer window closes in four days.
"At this stage I'm just concentrating on playing for Newcastle," North said. "There was a lot of talk but nothing much has come of it. That's life and that's football. I've moved on."
Article Source http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/soccer/jade-believes-jets-ready-for-victory/1254715.aspx
By Robert Dillon
JETS captain Jade North expects Melbourne to be fired up on Friday night to bury their Newcastle hoodoo.
The A-League champions have not lost to the Victory since October 8, 2006, and have racked up four wins and a draw from their past five clashes with Melbourne.
At Telstra Dome, venue for Friday night's showdown, Newcastle have a perfect record after winning last season's clashes 2-0 and 3-1.
North said yesterday that record would provide Melbourne, who are the early leaders after two rounds of the season, with a source of motivation on Friday night.
"I think they'll be out for revenge because we've been their bogy team for the last couple of years," he said.
"We've been able to knock them off a few times and hopefully we can keep that record going.
"But they've got some good players and they had a good win [4-2 against Wellington] last weekend, so we're going to have to be on our game."
North said Newcastle needed to improve defensively after their 3-all draw with Perth last Friday.
"We probably made it difficult for ourselves," he said.
"The first goal we conceded was from a penalty, which didn't help.
"The second goal Perth scored was a great header and a great goal, but we probably should have stopped them from getting the cross in.
"Their last goal was probably because we were pushing forward, looking for the win, and got caught out of position a bit.
"I suppose the good thing is we're not having any trouble scoring goals, but we need to tidy up our defence a bit this week."
North said Newcastle were eager to notch their first win of the season after having to salvage draws from the first two games of their title defence, against Central Coast (1-1) and the Glory last Friday night.
"We've shown good fighting spirit, but we could easily have taken all six points rather than just two," he said.
Meanwhile, the Socceroos defender said he had heard nothing more about a possible move overseas and had accepted that he would probably play out the season with Newcastle.
There had been rumours that clubs in Turkey and France were interested in recruiting the 26-year-old, but they are running out of time because the August transfer window closes in four days.
"At this stage I'm just concentrating on playing for Newcastle," North said. "There was a lot of talk but nothing much has come of it. That's life and that's football. I've moved on."
Article Source http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/soccer/jade-believes-jets-ready-for-victory/1254715.aspx
Korean Song Jin-hyung adds soul to his A-game
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
By Josh Leeson
WRITEOFF: Song Jin-hyung has been busy during the off-season learning English and learning how to mix it in the rough and tumble of the A-League. The results are plain to see in the opening forays of the new season, reports Josh Leeson.
THREE games at the business end of Newcastle's premiership charge last season gave the A-League a taste of Korean import Song Jin-hyung's tantalising talents.
Two games into the new season, and everyone is singing his praises.
The 21-year-old has been in superb touch for the Jets and arguably their best player in the two fighting draws they have opened their title defence with.
His busy, live-wire style and precise delivery at set-pieces have been the catalyst for many of the Jets' attacking raids.
The eye-catching displays have had commentators such as Foxtel's Andy Harper questioning why more clubs aren't looking to Asia, rather than South America, for their imports.
Song joined the Jets from FC Seoul only a month before the semi-finals and played in three games, including the 1-0 grand final win over Central Coast.
It was a huge acid test for the South Korean, both on and off field.
He spoke no English and was not used to the greater physicality of the Australian game.
A full off-season with the Jets and English lessons have helped Song deal with both.
"It was very hard last season in the grand final because it was very physical," Song said.
"But now, I've trained in Australia for the whole off-season, it's not a problem now."
Overcoming the language barrier has been assisted through less conventional means.
"I like watching movies and Big Brother. TV has helped me learn English," he said.
The only disappointment for Song is that he was not credited with his side's 49th-minute goal in the 3-3 draw with Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium last Friday, when his strike deflected off Glory defender Jamie Coyne on the way through.
"I was happy with my first game [against the Central Coast Mariners] because I played very well, and in the second game I was happy again, but when I scored they said, no, it was not a goal," he said.
Song is also far more settled at home in Charlestown with his mother who, from all reports, is a top-notch cook.
His father still lives in Seoul, where he works as an electrician.
Jets coach Gary van Egmond says Song is still a work in progress and fans can expect him to continue to grow as a footballer as the season continues.
"Song has got some really fast feet, a tremendous work ethic and is very sharp off the mark so he has some really good attributes," van Egmond said.
"He's a lot better physically, in relation to the game, and technically he has got himself better as well.
"The last piece of the jigsaw is decision-making, and that just comes with experience and repetition of certain things.
"I'm pretty sure he'll get there. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet."
Van Egmond admitted Song needed to adapt to the physical style of play in the A-League when he first arrived from Asia, but said he has learnt fast.
"He's definitely come to grips with it," he said.
"It's all different experiences for him and he's very ambitious.
"He's one of the these people who want to become better at everything they can, and speaking English is another thing.
"He's really worked hard on that and now he has well and truly fitted in with the group in regards to conversations, which is good for him too."
Song is signed to the Jets until the end of the 2009-10 season and will be a major cog in the club's Asian Champions League campaign.
Song has openly admitted he wants to ply his trade in Europe once his contract expires.
But van Egmond said he had no concerns about Song taking his eye off the task at hand.
"Here is only a pit-stop for him and he's looking forward to bettering himself again. But right at this moment, he's really committed to doing well with Newcastle," van Egmond said.
Article Source http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/soccer/korean-song-jinhyung-adds-soul-to-his-agame/1253568.aspx
By Josh Leeson
WRITEOFF: Song Jin-hyung has been busy during the off-season learning English and learning how to mix it in the rough and tumble of the A-League. The results are plain to see in the opening forays of the new season, reports Josh Leeson.
THREE games at the business end of Newcastle's premiership charge last season gave the A-League a taste of Korean import Song Jin-hyung's tantalising talents.
Two games into the new season, and everyone is singing his praises.
The 21-year-old has been in superb touch for the Jets and arguably their best player in the two fighting draws they have opened their title defence with.
His busy, live-wire style and precise delivery at set-pieces have been the catalyst for many of the Jets' attacking raids.
The eye-catching displays have had commentators such as Foxtel's Andy Harper questioning why more clubs aren't looking to Asia, rather than South America, for their imports.
Song joined the Jets from FC Seoul only a month before the semi-finals and played in three games, including the 1-0 grand final win over Central Coast.
It was a huge acid test for the South Korean, both on and off field.
He spoke no English and was not used to the greater physicality of the Australian game.
A full off-season with the Jets and English lessons have helped Song deal with both.
"It was very hard last season in the grand final because it was very physical," Song said.
"But now, I've trained in Australia for the whole off-season, it's not a problem now."
Overcoming the language barrier has been assisted through less conventional means.
"I like watching movies and Big Brother. TV has helped me learn English," he said.
The only disappointment for Song is that he was not credited with his side's 49th-minute goal in the 3-3 draw with Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium last Friday, when his strike deflected off Glory defender Jamie Coyne on the way through.
"I was happy with my first game [against the Central Coast Mariners] because I played very well, and in the second game I was happy again, but when I scored they said, no, it was not a goal," he said.
Song is also far more settled at home in Charlestown with his mother who, from all reports, is a top-notch cook.
His father still lives in Seoul, where he works as an electrician.
Jets coach Gary van Egmond says Song is still a work in progress and fans can expect him to continue to grow as a footballer as the season continues.
"Song has got some really fast feet, a tremendous work ethic and is very sharp off the mark so he has some really good attributes," van Egmond said.
"He's a lot better physically, in relation to the game, and technically he has got himself better as well.
"The last piece of the jigsaw is decision-making, and that just comes with experience and repetition of certain things.
"I'm pretty sure he'll get there. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet."
Van Egmond admitted Song needed to adapt to the physical style of play in the A-League when he first arrived from Asia, but said he has learnt fast.
"He's definitely come to grips with it," he said.
"It's all different experiences for him and he's very ambitious.
"He's one of the these people who want to become better at everything they can, and speaking English is another thing.
"He's really worked hard on that and now he has well and truly fitted in with the group in regards to conversations, which is good for him too."
Song is signed to the Jets until the end of the 2009-10 season and will be a major cog in the club's Asian Champions League campaign.
Song has openly admitted he wants to ply his trade in Europe once his contract expires.
But van Egmond said he had no concerns about Song taking his eye off the task at hand.
"Here is only a pit-stop for him and he's looking forward to bettering himself again. But right at this moment, he's really committed to doing well with Newcastle," van Egmond said.
Article Source http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/soccer/korean-song-jinhyung-adds-soul-to-his-agame/1253568.aspx
Monday, August 25, 2008
Jets Boss Keen To Talk
FOUR FOUR TWO
By Jon Ritson
EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle Jets boss Gary van Egmond is keen to tie down several members of his squad on new deals sooner rather than later.
Joel Griffiths has hogged most of the headlines in terms of contract issues but van Egmond isn't about to take his eye off the ball when it comes to other members of his squad who want to discuss the future.
The Jets boss remains confident that Griffiths can be persuaded to stay at EnergyAustralia Stadium and hopes he won't be the only one who sees their future with the club.
Van Egmond told au.fourfourtwo.com: "We want Joel to stay, of course we do. I think he enjoys playing for this football club and he enjoys living in Newcastle.
"Hopefully we can reach agreement but then there are others here at the club we need to look at.
"Adam Griffiths' deal runs out (at the end of the season) and we would like to keep him.
"Kaz Patafta's deal is only a year at this stage and then there is Ante Covic and Jobe Wheelhouse, so those boys we need to look at."
One of the club's new faces, Jesper Hakansson, is expected to feature for the first time when Newcastle travel to Melbourne Victory on Friday night, having recovered from injury.
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/83287,jets-boss-keen-to-talk.aspx
By Jon Ritson
EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle Jets boss Gary van Egmond is keen to tie down several members of his squad on new deals sooner rather than later.
Joel Griffiths has hogged most of the headlines in terms of contract issues but van Egmond isn't about to take his eye off the ball when it comes to other members of his squad who want to discuss the future.
The Jets boss remains confident that Griffiths can be persuaded to stay at EnergyAustralia Stadium and hopes he won't be the only one who sees their future with the club.
Van Egmond told au.fourfourtwo.com: "We want Joel to stay, of course we do. I think he enjoys playing for this football club and he enjoys living in Newcastle.
"Hopefully we can reach agreement but then there are others here at the club we need to look at.
"Adam Griffiths' deal runs out (at the end of the season) and we would like to keep him.
"Kaz Patafta's deal is only a year at this stage and then there is Ante Covic and Jobe Wheelhouse, so those boys we need to look at."
One of the club's new faces, Jesper Hakansson, is expected to feature for the first time when Newcastle travel to Melbourne Victory on Friday night, having recovered from injury.
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/83287,jets-boss-keen-to-talk.aspx
Jets set to unveil midfield maestro
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
BY Robert Dillon
NEWCASTLE Jets coach Gary van Egmond hopes Danish import Jesper Hakansson will be fit to make his A-League debut in Friday night's clash with Melbourne Victory at the Telstra Dome.
Hakansson, a midfield playmaker, has missed the opening two games of Newcastle's A-League title defence after tearing his calf in the pre-season.
"Hopefully he'll be right for Melbourne, but if not, then he should definitely be right for Sydney [on September 13]," van Egmond said.
"We'll just see how he is at training this week.
"We'll also have Jason Hoffman and Jason Naidovski back from the Young Socceroos."
Hakansson, who earned a two-year deal with the Jets after trialling for a contract, has impressed his new teammates since arriving in Newcastle a month ago.
Jets striker Joel Griffiths has already labelled the 27-year-old a player capable of becoming a dominant force in the A-League.
Van Egmond will be hoping Hakansson can stiffen up Newcastle's defence after Friday's 3-3 draw with Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium.
The Jets led 1-0 and 2-1 but eventually were lucky to salvage a draw when skipper Jade North scored with the last kick of the match.
Newcastle's other new recruit from overseas, Ecuadorean striker Edmundo Zura, was unable to open his goal-scoring account but van Egmond said he was continuing to improve.
The Jets are fourth on the table after two draws from as many games.
Melbourne, who beat Wellington 4-2 yesterday, are competition leaders on four points, ahead of Adelaide and Sydney on goal difference.
Article source http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/soccer/jets-set-to-unveil-midfield-maestro/1252581.aspx
BY Robert Dillon
NEWCASTLE Jets coach Gary van Egmond hopes Danish import Jesper Hakansson will be fit to make his A-League debut in Friday night's clash with Melbourne Victory at the Telstra Dome.
Hakansson, a midfield playmaker, has missed the opening two games of Newcastle's A-League title defence after tearing his calf in the pre-season.
"Hopefully he'll be right for Melbourne, but if not, then he should definitely be right for Sydney [on September 13]," van Egmond said.
"We'll just see how he is at training this week.
"We'll also have Jason Hoffman and Jason Naidovski back from the Young Socceroos."
Hakansson, who earned a two-year deal with the Jets after trialling for a contract, has impressed his new teammates since arriving in Newcastle a month ago.
Jets striker Joel Griffiths has already labelled the 27-year-old a player capable of becoming a dominant force in the A-League.
Van Egmond will be hoping Hakansson can stiffen up Newcastle's defence after Friday's 3-3 draw with Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium.
The Jets led 1-0 and 2-1 but eventually were lucky to salvage a draw when skipper Jade North scored with the last kick of the match.
Newcastle's other new recruit from overseas, Ecuadorean striker Edmundo Zura, was unable to open his goal-scoring account but van Egmond said he was continuing to improve.
The Jets are fourth on the table after two draws from as many games.
Melbourne, who beat Wellington 4-2 yesterday, are competition leaders on four points, ahead of Adelaide and Sydney on goal difference.
Article source http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/soccer/jets-set-to-unveil-midfield-maestro/1252581.aspx
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Perth coach Mitchell's FFA feud over ref
THE AGE
Perth coach David Mitchell could find himself in hot water with Football Federation Australia after criticising referee Craig Zetter following the Glory's 3-3 A-League draw with Newcastle Jets on Friday night.
The Glory looked on course for victory after grabbing a 3-2 lead in the 81st minute, only for Jets skipper Jade North to grab a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser with the final kick of the match.
In his post-match press conference, Mitchell was fuming that Zetter added four minutes of stoppage time in the second half, while the coach also disputed the merits of a first-half penalty to Joel Griffiths, who was clearly fouled by Dino Djulbic outside the penalty box.
Mitchell said his team were "robbed" of the three points and insinuated Zetter had also made crucial mistakes in previous matches involving Perth.
"It (the foul on Griffiths) was outside the box, I think everybody saw that was clear," Mitchell said.
"I think every time we get this referee we just have a bit of bad luck you know, so that's unfortunate."
When asked whether Zetter had cost Glory games in the past, Mitchell replied: "Good question.
"I wasn't in charge then, since I've been in charge ... anyway, I won't say it, I won't get myself into trouble, I can't afford a fine, we are not allowed to say anything.
"I don't know where the four minutes (of stoppage time) came from, and then he stopped time for the last minute.
"(The players are) gutted. They all felt 'where did the four minutes come from?', and then it extended, it felt like six minutes in the end. Where that came from we don't know - bitterly disappointed.
"It feels like a loss.
"We've picked up a point, it should have been three, there's no denying that fact, and I think Newcastle found themselves very lucky today."
Mitchell is no stranger to controversy.
Last November, Mitchell was handed a one-match sideline suspension after kicking a water bottle onto the field during his team's 1-0 loss to Central Coast.
Newcastle coach Gary Van Egmond was surprisingly disappointed with the 3-3 result despite escaping with a last-minute draw for the second time in as many weeks.
"Realistically, after the first half, the game should have been dead and buried, we should have capitalised on our opportunities and been more ruthless in front of goal," Van Egmond said.
"But it tends to be a situation that when you are not ruthless in front of goal and you don't go on with it you invite the other team back in and that's exactly what we did."
Van Egmond was clearly disappointed with the efforts of central defenders North and Adam Griffiths.
"We just need to have a bit more of an awareness," he said.
"I thought both fullbacks were probably the poorest they've been and we rely heavily on the fullbacks getting involved in the play and also working hard on the defensive side of things."
Perth coach David Mitchell could find himself in hot water with Football Federation Australia after criticising referee Craig Zetter following the Glory's 3-3 A-League draw with Newcastle Jets on Friday night.
The Glory looked on course for victory after grabbing a 3-2 lead in the 81st minute, only for Jets skipper Jade North to grab a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser with the final kick of the match.
In his post-match press conference, Mitchell was fuming that Zetter added four minutes of stoppage time in the second half, while the coach also disputed the merits of a first-half penalty to Joel Griffiths, who was clearly fouled by Dino Djulbic outside the penalty box.
Mitchell said his team were "robbed" of the three points and insinuated Zetter had also made crucial mistakes in previous matches involving Perth.
"It (the foul on Griffiths) was outside the box, I think everybody saw that was clear," Mitchell said.
"I think every time we get this referee we just have a bit of bad luck you know, so that's unfortunate."
When asked whether Zetter had cost Glory games in the past, Mitchell replied: "Good question.
"I wasn't in charge then, since I've been in charge ... anyway, I won't say it, I won't get myself into trouble, I can't afford a fine, we are not allowed to say anything.
"I don't know where the four minutes (of stoppage time) came from, and then he stopped time for the last minute.
"(The players are) gutted. They all felt 'where did the four minutes come from?', and then it extended, it felt like six minutes in the end. Where that came from we don't know - bitterly disappointed.
"It feels like a loss.
"We've picked up a point, it should have been three, there's no denying that fact, and I think Newcastle found themselves very lucky today."
Mitchell is no stranger to controversy.
Last November, Mitchell was handed a one-match sideline suspension after kicking a water bottle onto the field during his team's 1-0 loss to Central Coast.
Newcastle coach Gary Van Egmond was surprisingly disappointed with the 3-3 result despite escaping with a last-minute draw for the second time in as many weeks.
"Realistically, after the first half, the game should have been dead and buried, we should have capitalised on our opportunities and been more ruthless in front of goal," Van Egmond said.
"But it tends to be a situation that when you are not ruthless in front of goal and you don't go on with it you invite the other team back in and that's exactly what we did."
Van Egmond was clearly disappointed with the efforts of central defenders North and Adam Griffiths.
"We just need to have a bit more of an awareness," he said.
"I thought both fullbacks were probably the poorest they've been and we rely heavily on the fullbacks getting involved in the play and also working hard on the defensive side of things."
Van Egmond: We Were Wasteful
GOAL.COM
BY Barry McConner
Newcastle Jets boss Gary van Egmond is ruing missed opportunities after his side scraped a dramatic 3-3 draw with Perth Glory...
It was Jade North who saved the Jets' blushes at the Members Equity Stadium on Friday, the skipper capitalising on a defensive error to slot home the equaliser in the fifth minute of added time.
Most coaches would be thrilled to snatch a point from the jaws of defeat - but not Van Egmond, who believes his men wasted a plethora of clear scoring chances.
"We we're 3-2 down in injury time, and you get out with the draw, you should be feeling lucky," he told the press.
"But I'm not feeling lucky at all, I'm feeling that game should have been dead and buried well and truly prior to that."
"We should have capitalised on our opportunities and been more ruthless in front of goal.
"But it tends to be the situation that when you're not ruthless ... and you don't go on with it, you invite the other team back in and that's exactly what we did."
But while Van Egmond bemoaned his team's profligacy in front of goal, he acknowledged Perth's endeavour and constant pressuring all across the pitch.
"To the Glory's credit, they never stopped trying and even in the second half when they probably had a little more possession and a little more territory, we still had ample chances of killing the game off and we didn't do it," he added.
"Coupled with some really poor defensive work, that's what you get."
Article Source http://www.goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=830540
BY Barry McConner
Newcastle Jets boss Gary van Egmond is ruing missed opportunities after his side scraped a dramatic 3-3 draw with Perth Glory...
It was Jade North who saved the Jets' blushes at the Members Equity Stadium on Friday, the skipper capitalising on a defensive error to slot home the equaliser in the fifth minute of added time.
Most coaches would be thrilled to snatch a point from the jaws of defeat - but not Van Egmond, who believes his men wasted a plethora of clear scoring chances.
"We we're 3-2 down in injury time, and you get out with the draw, you should be feeling lucky," he told the press.
"But I'm not feeling lucky at all, I'm feeling that game should have been dead and buried well and truly prior to that."
"We should have capitalised on our opportunities and been more ruthless in front of goal.
"But it tends to be the situation that when you're not ruthless ... and you don't go on with it, you invite the other team back in and that's exactly what we did."
But while Van Egmond bemoaned his team's profligacy in front of goal, he acknowledged Perth's endeavour and constant pressuring all across the pitch.
"To the Glory's credit, they never stopped trying and even in the second half when they probably had a little more possession and a little more territory, we still had ample chances of killing the game off and we didn't do it," he added.
"Coupled with some really poor defensive work, that's what you get."
Article Source http://www.goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=830540
Mitchell takes aim at referee
FOXSPORTS
By Justin Chadwick
PERTH coach David Mitchell could find himself in hot water with Football Federation Australia after criticising referee Craig Zetter following the Glory's 3-3 A-League draw with Newcastle Jets.
The Glory looked on course for victory after grabbing a 3-2 lead in the 81st minute, only for Jets skipper Jade North to grab a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser with the final kick of the match.
In his post-match press conference, Mitchell was fuming that Zetter added four minutes of stoppage time in the second half, while the coach also disputed the merits of a first-half penalty to Joel Griffiths, who was clearly fouled by Dino Djulbic outside the penalty box.
Mitchell said his team were "robbed" of the three points and insinuated Zetter had also made crucial mistakes in previous matches involving Perth.
"It (the foul on Griffiths) was outside the box, I think everybody saw that was clear," Mitchell said.
"I think every time we get this referee we just have a bit of bad luck you know, so that's unfortunate."
When asked whether Zetter had cost Glory games in the past, Mitchell replied: "Good question.
"I wasn't in charge then, since I've been in charge ... anyway, I won't say it, I won't get myself into trouble, I can't afford a fine, we are not allowed to say anything.
"I don't know where the four minutes (of stoppage time) came from, and then he stopped time for the last minute.
"(The players are) gutted. They all felt 'where did the four minutes come from?', and then it extended, it felt like six minutes in the end. Where that came from we don't know - bitterly disappointed.
"It feels like a loss.
"We've picked up a point, it should have been three, there's no denying that fact, and I think Newcastle found themselves very lucky today."
Mitchell is no stranger to controversy.
Last November, Mitchell was handed a one-match sideline suspension after kicking a water bottle onto the field during his team's 1-0 loss to Central Coast.
Newcastle coach Gary Van Egmond was surprisingly disappointed with the 3-3 result despite escaping with a last-minute draw for the second time in as many weeks.
"Realistically, after the first half, the game should have been dead and buried, we should have capitalised on our opportunities and been more ruthless in front of goal," Van Egmond said.
"But it tends to be a situation that when you are not ruthless in front of goal and you don't go on with it you invite the other team back in and that's exactly what we did."
Van Egmond was clearly disappointed with the efforts of central defenders North and Adam Griffiths.
"We just need to have a bit more of an awareness," he said.
"I thought both full-backs were probably the poorest they've been and we rely heavily on the full-backs getting involved in the play and also working hard on the defensive side of things."
Article Source http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24228277-23210,00.html
By Justin Chadwick
PERTH coach David Mitchell could find himself in hot water with Football Federation Australia after criticising referee Craig Zetter following the Glory's 3-3 A-League draw with Newcastle Jets.
The Glory looked on course for victory after grabbing a 3-2 lead in the 81st minute, only for Jets skipper Jade North to grab a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser with the final kick of the match.
In his post-match press conference, Mitchell was fuming that Zetter added four minutes of stoppage time in the second half, while the coach also disputed the merits of a first-half penalty to Joel Griffiths, who was clearly fouled by Dino Djulbic outside the penalty box.
Mitchell said his team were "robbed" of the three points and insinuated Zetter had also made crucial mistakes in previous matches involving Perth.
"It (the foul on Griffiths) was outside the box, I think everybody saw that was clear," Mitchell said.
"I think every time we get this referee we just have a bit of bad luck you know, so that's unfortunate."
When asked whether Zetter had cost Glory games in the past, Mitchell replied: "Good question.
"I wasn't in charge then, since I've been in charge ... anyway, I won't say it, I won't get myself into trouble, I can't afford a fine, we are not allowed to say anything.
"I don't know where the four minutes (of stoppage time) came from, and then he stopped time for the last minute.
"(The players are) gutted. They all felt 'where did the four minutes come from?', and then it extended, it felt like six minutes in the end. Where that came from we don't know - bitterly disappointed.
"It feels like a loss.
"We've picked up a point, it should have been three, there's no denying that fact, and I think Newcastle found themselves very lucky today."
Mitchell is no stranger to controversy.
Last November, Mitchell was handed a one-match sideline suspension after kicking a water bottle onto the field during his team's 1-0 loss to Central Coast.
Newcastle coach Gary Van Egmond was surprisingly disappointed with the 3-3 result despite escaping with a last-minute draw for the second time in as many weeks.
"Realistically, after the first half, the game should have been dead and buried, we should have capitalised on our opportunities and been more ruthless in front of goal," Van Egmond said.
"But it tends to be a situation that when you are not ruthless in front of goal and you don't go on with it you invite the other team back in and that's exactly what we did."
Van Egmond was clearly disappointed with the efforts of central defenders North and Adam Griffiths.
"We just need to have a bit more of an awareness," he said.
"I thought both full-backs were probably the poorest they've been and we rely heavily on the full-backs getting involved in the play and also working hard on the defensive side of things."
Article Source http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24228277-23210,00.html
Friday, August 22, 2008
Perth And Newcastle Share Spoils In Thriller
GOAL.COM
By Chris Paraskevas
Rumoured want-away Jets captain Jade North marked his return to the Newcastle side with a sensational 95th minute equaliser in a pulsating 3-3 draw with the Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium this evening. The Glory came from behind twice during the match, with new signings Adrian Trinidad and Eugene Dadi both scoring for the home side and 34-year-old former Brazil international Amaral producing a man-of-the-match performance in midfield.
Despite parading a new-found attacking flair throughout the match, Dave Mitchell’s Perth outfit were repeatedly caught square by a mobile Newcastle Jets forward-line, with the Glory inexplicably playing an extremely high defensive line despite a conspicuous lack of pace at the back.
Newcastle manager Gary Van Egmond will contrastingly be disappointed that his side twice threw away the lead, after initially going ahead through a dubious Joel Griffiths penalty on 19 minutes, before Argentine Adrian Trinidad also equalized for Perth via the penalty spot. The Jets retook the lead in the second-half when Song’s strike from inside the box took a cruel deflection off Jamie Coyne but the Glory again responded through a superbly constructed Eugene Dadi goal. Nikita Rukavytsya – who had just returned from Olyroos duty in Beijing – came off the bench to give the Glory the lead for the first time in the match with nine minutes of normal time remaining but North’s dramatic last-gasp equaliser secured a point for the defending champions.
Fortuitous
Despite a positive start to the match by the Glory, with A-League debutant Adrian Trinidad looking sharp up front and former Parma and Fiorentina midfielder Amaral increasingly comfortable in possession, it would be the Jets who would take the lead after the somewhat fortuitous award of a penalty by referee Craig Zetter.
Tarek Elrich took possession in his own half before producing a superbly weighted through-ball in-behind a square Perth defence. Joel Griffiths ghosted in from the right-hand touchline with Olyroo Nikolai Topor-Stanley ball-watching at left-back and last year’s Johnny Warren medallist advanced on the penalty area before being tripped up just outside the box by Dino Djulbic.
Griffiths’ pace had just taken him away from the Glory center-back, with his momentum carrying him into the penalty area, perhaps creating the impression that he had been brought down inside the 18-yard box. Zetter showed little hesitation in pointing to the spot and Griffiths calmly slid his penalty into the bottom left-hand corner of the net, sending veteran goalkeeper Frank Juric the wrong way to give the Jets a 19th minute 1-0 lead.
It would take the Glory just 16 minutes to respond, however, with a penalty of their own, awarded under more conspicuous circumstances. A Mark Lee corner was met by an unmarked Topor-Stanley, whose header was saved by the feet of Ante Covic. Just as former PLUS FC striker Trinidad was about to pounced on the loose ball, he had his trailing leg crudely obstructed by a ‘two-footed’ Adam Griffiths tackle, with Zetter immediately awarding a penalty. Adrian Trinidad confidently dispatched his spot-kick into the bottom right-hand corner of the net with Covic statuesque to make it 1-1, whilst also attempting to encourage the 8,876 Glory fans as he picked the ball out of the net and sprinted eagerly back to half-way for the restart.
The Glory almost conceded immediately afterwards though, when in the 37th minute Newcastle’s marquee loan signing Edmundo Zura delivered a superb cross from the right-hand side that found Song at the far-post. The South Korean turned his marker brilliantly before driving a low shot at goal from a narrow angle. Though Juric did well to palm the ball away from goal, Dino Djulbic almost scored a bizarre own goal when he diverted the ball into the side-netting under no pressure.
Helpless
There was to be no such luck for the home side just three minutes after half-time however, as Adam Griffiths knocked down a hopeful ball into the Perth penalty box for brother Joel, who did well to lay the ball off for team-mate Song. The energetic midfielder saw his shot deflect off Perth captain Jamie Coyne, trickling agonisingly past an already committed and utterly helpless Frank Juric in the Glory goal.
This time it would only take Perth ten minutes to conjure up an equaliser, with all three of David Mitchell’s foreign signings combining superbly to make it 2-2. The move started infield with Trinidad, whose first-time chipped ball was perfectly weighted for an unmarked Amaral on the right-hand flank. The Brazilian produced a wonderful cross on the half-volley from the touch-line, which found Dadi in the box. The Cote D’Ivoire striker produced a powerful header which flew past Covic and crashed into the back of the net.
The introduction of Ukrainian-born Olyroo Nikita Rukavytsya for Mark Lee was almost the catalyst for an unlikely Perth victory, as the striker gave the home side the lead inside the last ten minutes of the match. Australian youth international Adriano Pellegrino capitalised on a Tarek Elrich mistake on half-way, releasing Rukavytsya with a first-time through ball. The striker raced away from Griffiths, entering the penalty box and calmly slotting the ball inside Ante Covic’s near-post to make it 3-2 on 81’ minutes.
Elrich came within centimetres of redeeming himself in the 87th minute though, as he unleashed a superb swerving strike from outside the penalty area that missed the top left-hand corner of Juric’s goal by inches.
Rescue Attempt
The Jets, who two seasons ago grabbed a dramatic last-minute equaliser in Perth that set them on their way to an unlikely finals appearance, again rescued a point deep into injury time on Australia’s west coast, with an the equaliser was simple in execution but dramatic on so many other levels.
Initially, Amaral was attempting to waste time in the final minute of the allotted four minutes of injury-time inside the Jets’ half. A minor scuffle resulted between some of the Jets and Glory players and with some of the Perth men out of position, an innocuous long-ball was booted up-field from the resulting free-kick.
Topor-Stanley rose to challenge for the ball but only succeeded in flicking it backwards and into the path of Newcastle center-back Jade North, who had been spending the latter part of the match as a makeshift striker. North has been heavily linked with a move to Europe following his performances as an over-age player with the Olyroos in Beijing and had produced an uncharacteristically indifferent performance for his side in Perth but latched onto Stanley’s unintentional flick, shrugging off the intentions of Coyne before rolling the ball past an advancing Juric and just inside the keeper’s left-hand post for the most dramatic of 95’ minute finishes to a refreshingly enthralling game of football.
Perth Glory 3 (Trinidad 35’, Dadi 58’, Rukavytsya 81’)
Newcastle Jets 3 (Griffiths 19’, Song 48’, North 95’)
Line-ups:
Perth Glory: (4-4-2) Juric, Doyle (66’ Harnwell), Djulbic, Coyne, Topor-Stanley, Bulloch, Pellegrino, Amaral, Lee (71’ Rukavytsya), Trinidad, Dadi (85’ Rizzo)
Newcastle Jets: (4-3-3) Covic, Elrich, A. Griffiths, North, D’Apuzzo, Holland, Wheelhouse (70’ Spencer), Song, J. Griffiths, Zura (80’ Patafta), Thompson
Article source http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=829980
By Chris Paraskevas
Rumoured want-away Jets captain Jade North marked his return to the Newcastle side with a sensational 95th minute equaliser in a pulsating 3-3 draw with the Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium this evening. The Glory came from behind twice during the match, with new signings Adrian Trinidad and Eugene Dadi both scoring for the home side and 34-year-old former Brazil international Amaral producing a man-of-the-match performance in midfield.
Despite parading a new-found attacking flair throughout the match, Dave Mitchell’s Perth outfit were repeatedly caught square by a mobile Newcastle Jets forward-line, with the Glory inexplicably playing an extremely high defensive line despite a conspicuous lack of pace at the back.
Newcastle manager Gary Van Egmond will contrastingly be disappointed that his side twice threw away the lead, after initially going ahead through a dubious Joel Griffiths penalty on 19 minutes, before Argentine Adrian Trinidad also equalized for Perth via the penalty spot. The Jets retook the lead in the second-half when Song’s strike from inside the box took a cruel deflection off Jamie Coyne but the Glory again responded through a superbly constructed Eugene Dadi goal. Nikita Rukavytsya – who had just returned from Olyroos duty in Beijing – came off the bench to give the Glory the lead for the first time in the match with nine minutes of normal time remaining but North’s dramatic last-gasp equaliser secured a point for the defending champions.
Fortuitous
Despite a positive start to the match by the Glory, with A-League debutant Adrian Trinidad looking sharp up front and former Parma and Fiorentina midfielder Amaral increasingly comfortable in possession, it would be the Jets who would take the lead after the somewhat fortuitous award of a penalty by referee Craig Zetter.
Tarek Elrich took possession in his own half before producing a superbly weighted through-ball in-behind a square Perth defence. Joel Griffiths ghosted in from the right-hand touchline with Olyroo Nikolai Topor-Stanley ball-watching at left-back and last year’s Johnny Warren medallist advanced on the penalty area before being tripped up just outside the box by Dino Djulbic.
Griffiths’ pace had just taken him away from the Glory center-back, with his momentum carrying him into the penalty area, perhaps creating the impression that he had been brought down inside the 18-yard box. Zetter showed little hesitation in pointing to the spot and Griffiths calmly slid his penalty into the bottom left-hand corner of the net, sending veteran goalkeeper Frank Juric the wrong way to give the Jets a 19th minute 1-0 lead.
It would take the Glory just 16 minutes to respond, however, with a penalty of their own, awarded under more conspicuous circumstances. A Mark Lee corner was met by an unmarked Topor-Stanley, whose header was saved by the feet of Ante Covic. Just as former PLUS FC striker Trinidad was about to pounced on the loose ball, he had his trailing leg crudely obstructed by a ‘two-footed’ Adam Griffiths tackle, with Zetter immediately awarding a penalty. Adrian Trinidad confidently dispatched his spot-kick into the bottom right-hand corner of the net with Covic statuesque to make it 1-1, whilst also attempting to encourage the 8,876 Glory fans as he picked the ball out of the net and sprinted eagerly back to half-way for the restart.
The Glory almost conceded immediately afterwards though, when in the 37th minute Newcastle’s marquee loan signing Edmundo Zura delivered a superb cross from the right-hand side that found Song at the far-post. The South Korean turned his marker brilliantly before driving a low shot at goal from a narrow angle. Though Juric did well to palm the ball away from goal, Dino Djulbic almost scored a bizarre own goal when he diverted the ball into the side-netting under no pressure.
Helpless
There was to be no such luck for the home side just three minutes after half-time however, as Adam Griffiths knocked down a hopeful ball into the Perth penalty box for brother Joel, who did well to lay the ball off for team-mate Song. The energetic midfielder saw his shot deflect off Perth captain Jamie Coyne, trickling agonisingly past an already committed and utterly helpless Frank Juric in the Glory goal.
This time it would only take Perth ten minutes to conjure up an equaliser, with all three of David Mitchell’s foreign signings combining superbly to make it 2-2. The move started infield with Trinidad, whose first-time chipped ball was perfectly weighted for an unmarked Amaral on the right-hand flank. The Brazilian produced a wonderful cross on the half-volley from the touch-line, which found Dadi in the box. The Cote D’Ivoire striker produced a powerful header which flew past Covic and crashed into the back of the net.
The introduction of Ukrainian-born Olyroo Nikita Rukavytsya for Mark Lee was almost the catalyst for an unlikely Perth victory, as the striker gave the home side the lead inside the last ten minutes of the match. Australian youth international Adriano Pellegrino capitalised on a Tarek Elrich mistake on half-way, releasing Rukavytsya with a first-time through ball. The striker raced away from Griffiths, entering the penalty box and calmly slotting the ball inside Ante Covic’s near-post to make it 3-2 on 81’ minutes.
Elrich came within centimetres of redeeming himself in the 87th minute though, as he unleashed a superb swerving strike from outside the penalty area that missed the top left-hand corner of Juric’s goal by inches.
Rescue Attempt
The Jets, who two seasons ago grabbed a dramatic last-minute equaliser in Perth that set them on their way to an unlikely finals appearance, again rescued a point deep into injury time on Australia’s west coast, with an the equaliser was simple in execution but dramatic on so many other levels.
Initially, Amaral was attempting to waste time in the final minute of the allotted four minutes of injury-time inside the Jets’ half. A minor scuffle resulted between some of the Jets and Glory players and with some of the Perth men out of position, an innocuous long-ball was booted up-field from the resulting free-kick.
Topor-Stanley rose to challenge for the ball but only succeeded in flicking it backwards and into the path of Newcastle center-back Jade North, who had been spending the latter part of the match as a makeshift striker. North has been heavily linked with a move to Europe following his performances as an over-age player with the Olyroos in Beijing and had produced an uncharacteristically indifferent performance for his side in Perth but latched onto Stanley’s unintentional flick, shrugging off the intentions of Coyne before rolling the ball past an advancing Juric and just inside the keeper’s left-hand post for the most dramatic of 95’ minute finishes to a refreshingly enthralling game of football.
Perth Glory 3 (Trinidad 35’, Dadi 58’, Rukavytsya 81’)
Newcastle Jets 3 (Griffiths 19’, Song 48’, North 95’)
Line-ups:
Perth Glory: (4-4-2) Juric, Doyle (66’ Harnwell), Djulbic, Coyne, Topor-Stanley, Bulloch, Pellegrino, Amaral, Lee (71’ Rukavytsya), Trinidad, Dadi (85’ Rizzo)
Newcastle Jets: (4-3-3) Covic, Elrich, A. Griffiths, North, D’Apuzzo, Holland, Wheelhouse (70’ Spencer), Song, J. Griffiths, Zura (80’ Patafta), Thompson
Article source http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=829980
Busch back for Olympic semi
THE MANLY DAILY
By John Greco
22 August 2008
NEWCASTLE Jets-bound defender Beau Busch will again be available for Manly United for this weekend's minor semi-final against Sydney Olympic.
With Busch not required by the A-League club this weekend, the Jets have agreed to hold off on registering his contract until the end of United's finals campaign. The 24-year-old's availability means United will be at full strength for the do-or-die clash at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday.
Meanwhile the peninsula club will hold off on contract talks with coach Phil Moss until after the finals.
Moss off-contract at the end of this season has made no secret of his desire to coach at the highest level but is also excited at the future at United. "We've got some good youngsters and I can see probably five of the under-20s in first grade next year," he said. Kick off on Sunday is 3pm.
By John Greco
22 August 2008
NEWCASTLE Jets-bound defender Beau Busch will again be available for Manly United for this weekend's minor semi-final against Sydney Olympic.
With Busch not required by the A-League club this weekend, the Jets have agreed to hold off on registering his contract until the end of United's finals campaign. The 24-year-old's availability means United will be at full strength for the do-or-die clash at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday.
Meanwhile the peninsula club will hold off on contract talks with coach Phil Moss until after the finals.
Moss off-contract at the end of this season has made no secret of his desire to coach at the highest level but is also excited at the future at United. "We've got some good youngsters and I can see probably five of the under-20s in first grade next year," he said. Kick off on Sunday is 3pm.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Preview: Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets
FOUR FOUR TWO
Date: Friday August 22, 2008
Kick-off (local time): 9:00pm AEST (7:00pm local)
Venue: Members Equity Stadium
TV and Radio: Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and Sky Sports 3. Hyundai A-League club radio broadcast partner is 6PR (Perth).
Head-to-head
Nine Hyundai A-League meetings: Newcastle - 2 wins, Perth - 5 wins, 2 draws
Previous Hyundai A-League meeting
Newcastle Jets 2, Perth Glory 1, EnergyAustralia Stadium, Round 21, January 2008
Results so far
Perth:
Round 1: Adelaide United 1 Perth Glory 0, Hindmarsh Stadium
Newcastle:
Round 1: Newcastle Jets 1 Central Coast Mariners 1, EnergyAustralia Stadium
Analysis
Newcastle conjured the great escape in last week's Grand Final replay, grabbing a point courtesy of a last-minute penalty. However, while it was fortunate, it was what they deserved for their enterprising play during the season-opener. It was a positive beginning for the defending champions, with many pundits tipping a fall from grace after the departure of several key players in the off-season.
However, Perth has been something of a bogey team for the Jets over the years, with Newcastle's win in the final round last season only its second in nine meetings between the two. Perth's strong central defence has always proven a tough task master, while the Glory has used space down the wings to hit them on the counter attack. Nikita Rukavytsya dominated them in one game last year.
Perth's opening salvo wasn't what David Mitchell would have hoped for, but the Glory were hardly played off the park. Scott Bulloch could have given them an early lead and that would have changed the complexion of the game completely.
Glory is without David Tarka for this match while James Robinson (illness), Josip Magdic (ankle) Hayden Foxe (foot) and Naum Sekulovski (hamstring) are also unavailable.
Jamie Harnwell returns, as do Nick Rizzo and Adrian Trinidad while the big bonus will be having Rukavytsya and Nikolai Topor-Stanley back for the entire 90 minutes. That pair are arguably the most influential players at the club and Amaral will have benefited greatly from his first serious hit out last week. Trinidad makes his A-League debut.
The Jets also get full use of their two Olympic representatives, Jade North and James Holland in a big boost at either end of the park. Kaz Patafta has also been included.
Danish striker Jesper Hakansson remains sidelined with a calf injury, while Jason Hoffman is away with the young Socceroos and Antun Kovacic has been omitted. Ecuadorian Edmundo Zura will be all the better for his 67 minutes last week.
Perth Glory Squad:
1.Jason PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 4.Jamie COYNE (c), 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Nick RIZZO, 9.Adrian TRINIDAD, 10.AMARAL, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 14.Eugene DADI, 15.Hayden DOYLE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.James DOWNEY, 20.Frank JURIC (gk), 21.Mark LEE, 24.Anthony SKORICH
* two to be omitted
In. Jamie Harnwell (return from injury), Nick Rizzo (promoted), Adrian Trinidad (return from injury).
Out. David Tarka (Thigh – 1 week).
Unavailable. James Robinson (stomach – 1 week), Josip Magdic (ankle – 1 week), Hayden Foxe (foot – 2 weeks), Naum Sekulovski (hamstring – 2 weeks).
Newcastle Jets Squad
1 Ante COVIC, 2 Adam GRIFFITHS, 3 Jade NORTH, 5 James HOLLAND, 7 Kaz PATAFTA, 8 Matt THOMPSON, 9 Joel GRIFFITHS, 10 Jin-Hyung SONG, 11 Tarek ELRICH, 12 Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 13 Adam D’APUZZO, 16 Ben KANTAROVSKI, 18 Noel SPENCER, 20 Ben KENNEDY, 23 Edmundo ZURA.
In. 3 Jade North (returns from Olyroo duties), 7 Kaz Patafta (promoted).
Out. 15 Jason Hoffman (Qantas Young Socceroos duties), 17 Antun Kovacic (not selected)
Unavailable. 19 Jason Naidovski (Qantas Young Socceroos duties),14 Shaun Ontong (ankle – indefinite), 6 Jesper Hakansson (calf – 1 week).
Date: Friday August 22, 2008
Kick-off (local time): 9:00pm AEST (7:00pm local)
Venue: Members Equity Stadium
TV and Radio: Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and Sky Sports 3. Hyundai A-League club radio broadcast partner is 6PR (Perth).
Head-to-head
Nine Hyundai A-League meetings: Newcastle - 2 wins, Perth - 5 wins, 2 draws
Previous Hyundai A-League meeting
Newcastle Jets 2, Perth Glory 1, EnergyAustralia Stadium, Round 21, January 2008
Results so far
Perth:
Round 1: Adelaide United 1 Perth Glory 0, Hindmarsh Stadium
Newcastle:
Round 1: Newcastle Jets 1 Central Coast Mariners 1, EnergyAustralia Stadium
Analysis
Newcastle conjured the great escape in last week's Grand Final replay, grabbing a point courtesy of a last-minute penalty. However, while it was fortunate, it was what they deserved for their enterprising play during the season-opener. It was a positive beginning for the defending champions, with many pundits tipping a fall from grace after the departure of several key players in the off-season.
However, Perth has been something of a bogey team for the Jets over the years, with Newcastle's win in the final round last season only its second in nine meetings between the two. Perth's strong central defence has always proven a tough task master, while the Glory has used space down the wings to hit them on the counter attack. Nikita Rukavytsya dominated them in one game last year.
Perth's opening salvo wasn't what David Mitchell would have hoped for, but the Glory were hardly played off the park. Scott Bulloch could have given them an early lead and that would have changed the complexion of the game completely.
Glory is without David Tarka for this match while James Robinson (illness), Josip Magdic (ankle) Hayden Foxe (foot) and Naum Sekulovski (hamstring) are also unavailable.
Jamie Harnwell returns, as do Nick Rizzo and Adrian Trinidad while the big bonus will be having Rukavytsya and Nikolai Topor-Stanley back for the entire 90 minutes. That pair are arguably the most influential players at the club and Amaral will have benefited greatly from his first serious hit out last week. Trinidad makes his A-League debut.
The Jets also get full use of their two Olympic representatives, Jade North and James Holland in a big boost at either end of the park. Kaz Patafta has also been included.
Danish striker Jesper Hakansson remains sidelined with a calf injury, while Jason Hoffman is away with the young Socceroos and Antun Kovacic has been omitted. Ecuadorian Edmundo Zura will be all the better for his 67 minutes last week.
Perth Glory Squad:
1.Jason PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 4.Jamie COYNE (c), 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Nick RIZZO, 9.Adrian TRINIDAD, 10.AMARAL, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 14.Eugene DADI, 15.Hayden DOYLE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.James DOWNEY, 20.Frank JURIC (gk), 21.Mark LEE, 24.Anthony SKORICH
* two to be omitted
In. Jamie Harnwell (return from injury), Nick Rizzo (promoted), Adrian Trinidad (return from injury).
Out. David Tarka (Thigh – 1 week).
Unavailable. James Robinson (stomach – 1 week), Josip Magdic (ankle – 1 week), Hayden Foxe (foot – 2 weeks), Naum Sekulovski (hamstring – 2 weeks).
Newcastle Jets Squad
1 Ante COVIC, 2 Adam GRIFFITHS, 3 Jade NORTH, 5 James HOLLAND, 7 Kaz PATAFTA, 8 Matt THOMPSON, 9 Joel GRIFFITHS, 10 Jin-Hyung SONG, 11 Tarek ELRICH, 12 Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 13 Adam D’APUZZO, 16 Ben KANTAROVSKI, 18 Noel SPENCER, 20 Ben KENNEDY, 23 Edmundo ZURA.
In. 3 Jade North (returns from Olyroo duties), 7 Kaz Patafta (promoted).
Out. 15 Jason Hoffman (Qantas Young Socceroos duties), 17 Antun Kovacic (not selected)
Unavailable. 19 Jason Naidovski (Qantas Young Socceroos duties),14 Shaun Ontong (ankle – indefinite), 6 Jesper Hakansson (calf – 1 week).
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Jets Boss Hopes Jade Doesn't Fly North
GOAL.COM
Newcastle Jets manager Gary van Egmond has voiced his desire to keep hold of defender Jade North, who has been strongly linked with a move to Europe...
The 26-year-old was among the Jets' most consistent performers last term, the captain leading by example as he helped his side claim their first A-League crown.
North's efforts clearly turned a few heads abroad. Galatasaray recently made a move for the Socceroo but pulled out after taking offence at Newcastle's $800,000 asking price.
French outfit Grenoble are now favourites to land the former Sydney Olympic man, who is excited by the prospect of plying his trade in Ligue 1.
However, North has returned to New South Wales following Australia's exit from the Olympics, and Van Egmond hopes he can convince his skipper to stay.
"Jado trained today, he's our captain and we're looking forward to him backing up with us for another season," the Novocastrian boss said on Monday.
"It is always difficult when something (like overseas attraction) is going on in your mind. If it comes off it would be fantastic for Jade. To go to another level would be better for his football."
Article Source http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=826289
Newcastle Jets manager Gary van Egmond has voiced his desire to keep hold of defender Jade North, who has been strongly linked with a move to Europe...
The 26-year-old was among the Jets' most consistent performers last term, the captain leading by example as he helped his side claim their first A-League crown.
North's efforts clearly turned a few heads abroad. Galatasaray recently made a move for the Socceroo but pulled out after taking offence at Newcastle's $800,000 asking price.
French outfit Grenoble are now favourites to land the former Sydney Olympic man, who is excited by the prospect of plying his trade in Ligue 1.
However, North has returned to New South Wales following Australia's exit from the Olympics, and Van Egmond hopes he can convince his skipper to stay.
"Jado trained today, he's our captain and we're looking forward to him backing up with us for another season," the Novocastrian boss said on Monday.
"It is always difficult when something (like overseas attraction) is going on in your mind. If it comes off it would be fantastic for Jade. To go to another level would be better for his football."
Article Source http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=826289
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Whiz-kid Ben Kantarovski in midfield mix after impressive Jets debut
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
By Robert Dillon
TEENAGE prodigy Ben Kantarovski will accompany the Newcastle Jets to Perth today and could even play in his preferred midfield role against the Glory on Friday night.
Kantarovski became the youngest debutant in A-League history last Friday night when he played in Newcastle's season-opening 1-all draw with Central Coast, aged 16 years, 208 days.
The Broadmeadow Magic junior played alongside Adam Griffiths in central defence, but that position is likely to be filled on Friday night by skipper Jade North, who has returned from Olyroos duty.
Van Egmond said after Kantarovski's classy debut that it would be important to limit his input, both during games and on the training pitch, to avoid burnout.
He will definitely travel west today, although van Egmond was undecided about what role he would play, if any, on Friday night.
"His main position is midfield, so we'll just have a look at him in there [at training] as well," van Egmond said.
"He played very well against Adelaide in the Pre-Season Cup in that area, so we may look at him there.
"But Jade will definitely slot in at left-side stopper."
Van Egmond said Danish import Jesper Hakansson was unlikely to travel to Perth because he was still recovering from a calf injury.
Asked when Hakansson would be ready to play, van Egmond replied: "Maybe next week [against Melbourne], but if not, then definitely against Sydney [in round four]."
The Jets will catch the red-eye home from Perth just hours after Friday night's game, rather than returning on Saturday morning.
"That's by choice," van Egmond said. "The quicker we get back, the better.
"The guys will get the whole day to catch up on their sleep on Saturday, and then we'll give them the Sunday off as well."
Meanwhile, van Egmond said he had heard of no new developments regarding North and his proposed transfer overseas.
It is understood that clubs from Turkey, France, Belgium and now Russia have made inquiries about the Socceroos defender.
Jets officials have indicated they have no objection to releasing him, but it remains to be seen whether any deal can be struck before the August transfer window closes.
Article Source http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/soccer/whizkid-ben-kantarovski-in-midfield-mix-after-impressive-jets-debut/1248487.aspx
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Turks go cold on North
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
GALATASARAY'S interest in Newcastle Jets captain Jade North was genuine - until the Turkish giants felt slighted by a clumsy media leak by the A-League club. Galatasaray refused to be drawn into a bidding war for the Socceroos defender and, instead of raising their initial offer of €500,000 ($853,638), dropped their bid to €300,000. North may now head to France instead
Article Source http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/blackburn-appeal-to-higher-power/2008/08/16/1218307312578.html
GALATASARAY'S interest in Newcastle Jets captain Jade North was genuine - until the Turkish giants felt slighted by a clumsy media leak by the A-League club. Galatasaray refused to be drawn into a bidding war for the Socceroos defender and, instead of raising their initial offer of €500,000 ($853,638), dropped their bid to €300,000. North may now head to France instead
Article Source http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/blackburn-appeal-to-higher-power/2008/08/16/1218307312578.html
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
New Jet Jesper's Aussification
FOUR FOUR TWO
By Jon Ritson
Aug 6 2008 09:56
Get more on: jets | aleague
EXCLUSIVE: Jesper Hakansson admits his switch Down Under could damage his international prospects but it can only mould him into an even better footballer.
The Danish striker says he is settling in well with Newcastle Jets and is of the firm belief that life is full of opportunities that must be grasped.
The forward told au.fourfourtwo.com: "I am really enjoying it here. It’s a nice team with good players. They’ve looked after me really well and now I’m just waiting for my family to join me.
"It is a big step but not many people get this chance. Me and my family like to travel. I played eight years in Holland and it was time to try something else. Me and my wife thought ‘why not?’ You have to try things.
"You can always learn something new. Every country has it’s own footballing style. This is more powerful. You have to be strong and your touch has to be good because it is quick. I think you can always take these things to your game and get better.
"I didn’t see much of the A-league because it’s a long way from Denmark but I spoke to (former Manchester United and Denmark star) Jesper Olsen a couple of times about the league and everyone can see it’s getting better and better every year. I think it will be a good step for me."
Hakansson is anxious to make his mark in the team and is confident he can fire for van Egmond's men.
He said: "I like to move the ball quickly, one touch and score. I hope I will make some goals and score goals. That’s what I want and what the coach wants."
The Dane can already sense that he has joined a squad brimming with self belief.
"You can see the level here in training is high. You can see they trust themselves and it’s nice to come into a place where people feel they will go well," he said.
The only down side about embracing a challenge on the other side of the world is the danger of dropping off the international radar.
Hakansson, who once had a trial spell with Manchester United, still has ambitions on the international stage but knows there is a risk of out of sight, out of mind.
He said: "It is difficult. I don’t think the Danish coach would come all this way just for me, to watch me but I’ll do my best and we’ll see what happens."
As for embracing the Australian lifestyle, Hakansson will make the most of the beaches but don't expect him to join Joel Griffiths in tackling a few big waves.
"I am not a big surfer and while I’ll enjoy the beaches you can’t be out in the sun too long," he said. "So, yes, I will enjoy Australia but I am here to play soccer, to work."
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/81933,new-jet-jespers-aussification.aspx
By Jon Ritson
Aug 6 2008 09:56
Get more on: jets | aleague
EXCLUSIVE: Jesper Hakansson admits his switch Down Under could damage his international prospects but it can only mould him into an even better footballer.
The Danish striker says he is settling in well with Newcastle Jets and is of the firm belief that life is full of opportunities that must be grasped.
The forward told au.fourfourtwo.com: "I am really enjoying it here. It’s a nice team with good players. They’ve looked after me really well and now I’m just waiting for my family to join me.
"It is a big step but not many people get this chance. Me and my family like to travel. I played eight years in Holland and it was time to try something else. Me and my wife thought ‘why not?’ You have to try things.
"You can always learn something new. Every country has it’s own footballing style. This is more powerful. You have to be strong and your touch has to be good because it is quick. I think you can always take these things to your game and get better.
"I didn’t see much of the A-league because it’s a long way from Denmark but I spoke to (former Manchester United and Denmark star) Jesper Olsen a couple of times about the league and everyone can see it’s getting better and better every year. I think it will be a good step for me."
Hakansson is anxious to make his mark in the team and is confident he can fire for van Egmond's men.
He said: "I like to move the ball quickly, one touch and score. I hope I will make some goals and score goals. That’s what I want and what the coach wants."
The Dane can already sense that he has joined a squad brimming with self belief.
"You can see the level here in training is high. You can see they trust themselves and it’s nice to come into a place where people feel they will go well," he said.
The only down side about embracing a challenge on the other side of the world is the danger of dropping off the international radar.
Hakansson, who once had a trial spell with Manchester United, still has ambitions on the international stage but knows there is a risk of out of sight, out of mind.
He said: "It is difficult. I don’t think the Danish coach would come all this way just for me, to watch me but I’ll do my best and we’ll see what happens."
As for embracing the Australian lifestyle, Hakansson will make the most of the beaches but don't expect him to join Joel Griffiths in tackling a few big waves.
"I am not a big surfer and while I’ll enjoy the beaches you can’t be out in the sun too long," he said. "So, yes, I will enjoy Australia but I am here to play soccer, to work."
Article Source http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/81933,new-jet-jespers-aussification.aspx
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Victory through to Cup GF
SPORTAL.COM.AU
BY Mark Hughes
Melbourne Victory have made it to their first Pre-Season Cup Grand Final after scoring a 1-0 win over the Newcastle Jets in the final round of the group stage at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The win sees Melbourne finish the 2008 Pre-Season with two wins and a loss and, more importantly, a Grand Final berth after Adelaide United and Perth Glory played out an uninspiring goalless draw in Mount Gambier.
Meanwhile, the result left the defending Hyundai A-League champions with two draws and a loss for the competition.
The Victory deserved the win after having the best of the chances with new signing Tom Pondeljak, who added some extra spark from the bench after half-time, scoring the winning goal in the 82nd minute.
The first real chance of the game came in the 15th minute when Melbourne defender Michael Twaite almost steered the ball into his own goal from a swinging Kaz Patafta 30-metre free kick. Victory keeper Michael Theoklitos pulled off a great save from the ensuing corner after a deflected Matt Thompson piledriver from the edge of the area.
The Victory had a great opportunity just moments later when youngster Evan Berger slipped past Tarek Elrich and sprinted inside the box but Jets goalie Ante Covic was up to the task and picked up Berger's deft side-foot stab.
Covic pulled off another reflex save when he kept out a stinging shot from Victory's Brazilian import Ney Fabiano, whose presence up front was causing plenty of headaches for the Jets' defence.
Melbourne started to take control of the match and only good defence kept them scoreless. Midfielder Matthew Kemp headed over the bar from a corner before Ney Fabiano and Carlos Hernandez worked a move that saw the Costa Rican swing a shot to the far top corner of the net, only for Covic to pull off a great diving save.
Tempers stared to flare close to half-time with the Jets' new Danish signing Jesper Hakansson earning a yellow card for a heavy tackle on Hernandez, Covic seeing yellow for dissent and Matthew Kemp copping one for rough defence but the score remained locked at 0-0 at the break.
Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond changed his team's formation at half-time going to a three-man defensive line and pushing Elrich up the field to give the Jets more width in the middle of the park.
But it was Melbourne which again had the better of the running with Nathan Elasi, who replaced Ney Fabiano at half-time seeing his low shot bounce off the right post and Pondeljak, who came on for Danny Allsopp, denied by a good save from Adam Griffiths after Covic was caught out of goal.
The Jets worked their way back into the match with Adam D'Apuzzo spraying his shot over the top and Hakansson pushing his close-range shot wide after a pinpoint cross from Elrich on the right wing.
Hernandez went perilously close to breaking the deadlock in the 75th minute with a vicious swinging 30-metre free kick only to be denied by another fantastic diving save from Covic.
Melbourne eventually found the goal they deserved in the 82nd minute when Pondeljak latched onto a long ball from Hernandez and fired a shot high into the top right corner of the net from 12 yards.
Joel Griffiths almost pulled out a draw for Newcastle with a remarkable free kick from 35 yards that clipped the intersection of the right post and the cross bar with Theoklitos beaten all ends up.
Newcastle Jets 0
Melbourne 1 Pondeljak 82
at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium
Crowd: 3133
Article Source http://sportal.com.au/football-news-display/victory-through-to-cup-gf-53656
BY Mark Hughes
Melbourne Victory have made it to their first Pre-Season Cup Grand Final after scoring a 1-0 win over the Newcastle Jets in the final round of the group stage at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The win sees Melbourne finish the 2008 Pre-Season with two wins and a loss and, more importantly, a Grand Final berth after Adelaide United and Perth Glory played out an uninspiring goalless draw in Mount Gambier.
Meanwhile, the result left the defending Hyundai A-League champions with two draws and a loss for the competition.
The Victory deserved the win after having the best of the chances with new signing Tom Pondeljak, who added some extra spark from the bench after half-time, scoring the winning goal in the 82nd minute.
The first real chance of the game came in the 15th minute when Melbourne defender Michael Twaite almost steered the ball into his own goal from a swinging Kaz Patafta 30-metre free kick. Victory keeper Michael Theoklitos pulled off a great save from the ensuing corner after a deflected Matt Thompson piledriver from the edge of the area.
The Victory had a great opportunity just moments later when youngster Evan Berger slipped past Tarek Elrich and sprinted inside the box but Jets goalie Ante Covic was up to the task and picked up Berger's deft side-foot stab.
Covic pulled off another reflex save when he kept out a stinging shot from Victory's Brazilian import Ney Fabiano, whose presence up front was causing plenty of headaches for the Jets' defence.
Melbourne started to take control of the match and only good defence kept them scoreless. Midfielder Matthew Kemp headed over the bar from a corner before Ney Fabiano and Carlos Hernandez worked a move that saw the Costa Rican swing a shot to the far top corner of the net, only for Covic to pull off a great diving save.
Tempers stared to flare close to half-time with the Jets' new Danish signing Jesper Hakansson earning a yellow card for a heavy tackle on Hernandez, Covic seeing yellow for dissent and Matthew Kemp copping one for rough defence but the score remained locked at 0-0 at the break.
Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond changed his team's formation at half-time going to a three-man defensive line and pushing Elrich up the field to give the Jets more width in the middle of the park.
But it was Melbourne which again had the better of the running with Nathan Elasi, who replaced Ney Fabiano at half-time seeing his low shot bounce off the right post and Pondeljak, who came on for Danny Allsopp, denied by a good save from Adam Griffiths after Covic was caught out of goal.
The Jets worked their way back into the match with Adam D'Apuzzo spraying his shot over the top and Hakansson pushing his close-range shot wide after a pinpoint cross from Elrich on the right wing.
Hernandez went perilously close to breaking the deadlock in the 75th minute with a vicious swinging 30-metre free kick only to be denied by another fantastic diving save from Covic.
Melbourne eventually found the goal they deserved in the 82nd minute when Pondeljak latched onto a long ball from Hernandez and fired a shot high into the top right corner of the net from 12 yards.
Joel Griffiths almost pulled out a draw for Newcastle with a remarkable free kick from 35 yards that clipped the intersection of the right post and the cross bar with Theoklitos beaten all ends up.
Newcastle Jets 0
Melbourne 1 Pondeljak 82
at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium
Crowd: 3133
Article Source http://sportal.com.au/football-news-display/victory-through-to-cup-gf-53656
Newcastle Jets reveal marquee player Edmundo Zura
DAILY TELEGRAPH
By John Taylor
NEWCASTLE Jets yesterday unveiled their new marquee player, striker Edmundo Zura, and the A-League champions are hoping it won't be long before he produces his Spiderman mask.
Just 48 hours after the Jets signed Danish national squad member Jesper Hakansson, an Ecuadorean national player has arrived in town to boost the club's chances of winning back-to-back championships.
Zura dons a Spiderman wrestling mask when he scores.
He says it's a tribute to a former national team player Otilino Tenorio (nickname Spiderman) who was killed in a car accident.
In the prime of his career, ambitious Zura, 25, said he wanted to experience a new lifestyle and planned to make the most of his one-year loan deal from Imbabura.
Most would have thought the Jets would be reluctant to take a chance with South Americans again after last year's disaster with unfit Brazilian striker Mario Jardel.
Zura is nine years younger, naturally fitter and mobile and played for Ecuador earlier this year. He will have to pass a medical on Monday and needs to have his tourist visa transferred to a sporting visa before he can play in the A-League.
"We are getting that done as quickly as possible," Jets CEO John Tsatsimas said yesterday.
Article Source http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24112704-5006068,00.html
Friday, August 1, 2008
Newcastle Jets sign YouTube sensation
THE AUSTRALIAN
By Ray Gatt
DEFENDING champions Newcastle Jets are on the verge of producing a marquee signing that will set alight this season's A-League.
Edmundo Salomon Zura de Jesus, or simply Edmundo Zura, may not be a household name in world football but he promises to bring a brand of entertainment and football rarely seen in this country.
An Ecuadorian international, Zura, who will be introduced to the Australian media in Newcastle today, is a tall, strong and very fast striker who earned his first international in a friendly against Brazil in 2006.
But the 25-year-old is just as well known for his antics whenever he scores a goal - which is often.
Zura, whose exploits can be seen on YouTube, often celebrates scoring by donning a colourful mask (red or blue) usually worn by professional wrestlers.
His other party tricks include dances and jigs, back flips and forward somersaults.
Antics aside, he is also a superb athlete and footballer and Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond is not surprisingly excited to have him at the club.
"The guy is an excitement machine and his signing will just about complete the squad," van Egmond said.
Article Source http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24109171-2722,00.html
By Ray Gatt
DEFENDING champions Newcastle Jets are on the verge of producing a marquee signing that will set alight this season's A-League.
Edmundo Salomon Zura de Jesus, or simply Edmundo Zura, may not be a household name in world football but he promises to bring a brand of entertainment and football rarely seen in this country.
An Ecuadorian international, Zura, who will be introduced to the Australian media in Newcastle today, is a tall, strong and very fast striker who earned his first international in a friendly against Brazil in 2006.
But the 25-year-old is just as well known for his antics whenever he scores a goal - which is often.
Zura, whose exploits can be seen on YouTube, often celebrates scoring by donning a colourful mask (red or blue) usually worn by professional wrestlers.
His other party tricks include dances and jigs, back flips and forward somersaults.
Antics aside, he is also a superb athlete and footballer and Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond is not surprisingly excited to have him at the club.
"The guy is an excitement machine and his signing will just about complete the squad," van Egmond said.
Article Source http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24109171-2722,00.html
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