24/07/2008 8:43:29 PM
Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United
Date: Saturday July 26
Kick-off (local time): 7:00pm local
Venue: Baddeley Park, Cessnock
Head-to-head
Ten A-league meetings: Adelaide - 4 wins, Newcastle - 4 wins, 2 draws
Two Pre-Season Cup meetings: Adelaide 1 win, 1 draw
Previous meeting
Newcastle Jets 2, Adelaide United 1, EnergyAustralia Stadium, Round 19, January 2008
Pre-Season Cup Results
Newcastle:
Round 1: Perth Glory 1, Newcastle Jets 1, Hyundai Stadium, Mandurah, Saturday July 19
Adelaide:
Round 1: Melbourne Victory 1 Adelaide United 2, Aurora Stadium, Sunday July 20
Previous Pre-Season Cup Results
Newcastle:
2007: Fifth (Defeated Wellington 4-2 on pens in fifth-place playoff)
2006: Fourth (Lost to Sydney 2-0 in third-place playoff)
2005: Group Stage (Bottom of Group A)
Adelaide:
2007: Champions (Defeated Perth Glory 2-1 in final)
2006: Champions (Defeated Central Coast 5-4 on pens in final)
2005: Group Stage (Third in Group A)
Analysis
Adelaide has the opportunity to sew up a spot in the final if results go its way this week. Cristiano's last-minute winner against Melbourne means the Reds are clear on top as the only team with a win, and a similar result here could put them in a very strong position.
The Jets made the long trip across the Nullarbor last week and would have been happy enough with a point, especially after conceding an early penalty. This is the Jets' first 'home' game since the Grand Final triumph and they will be extra eager to show the Hunter Valley locals that they will be a force to be reckoned with this season as well.
Jade North, Joel Griffiths, James Holland, Shaun Ontong and Ben Kantarovski are missing, while Adam Griffiths returns from suspension and there may be a spot for Danish triallist, Jesper Hakansson if he is cleared.
Adelaide gets back Sasa Ognenovski and Lucas Pantelis for this game, but Paul Agostino (groin) and Diego (hamstring) are set to miss. The two new Brazilians, Alemao and Cristiano impressed last week, while Cassio looked very spritely for a man having his first serious hit out since a knee injury.
Adelaide United Squad: 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (GK), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Angelo COSTANZO, 5.Michael VALKANIS, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 10.CRISTIANO, 13.Travis DODD, 14.Scott JAMIESON, 15.Jonas SALLEY, 16.Daniel MULLEN, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 30.Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK). * one to be omitted
In: 7.Lucas PANTELIS (return from suspension), 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI (return from suspension).
Out: Paul AGOSTINO (groin – 2 weeks), DIEGO (hamstring – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: Daniel BELTRAME (knee – 5 weeks), Isyan ERDOGAN (hamstring – indefinite), Kristian SARKIES (Olyroos duty).
Newcastle Jets Squad: 1.Ante COVIC, 2.Adam GRIFFITHS, 7.Kaz PATAFTA, 8.Matt THOMPSON, 10.Jin-Hyung SONG, 11.Tarek ELRICH, 12.Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 13.Adam D'APUZZO, 15.Jason HOFFMAN, 17.Antun KOVACIC, 18.Noel SPENCER, 19.Jason NAIDOVSKI, 20.Ben KENNEDY.