The Jets face Sydney FC at Hunter Stadium on Saturday and a number of intriguing sub-plots will add extra spice to the fixture.
The Newcastle Jets face Sydney FC at Hunter Stadium on Saturday and while the match is already looming as a crucial fixture for both clubs, there are a number of intriguing sub-plots that promise to add some extra spice to the fixture.
Here are five reasons to attend Saturday-s game:
The marquee factor
Two of the biggest names to grace the A-League, Emile Heskey and Alessandro Del Piero, will face off in Newcastle for the first time on Saturday. Following their last meeting at Allianz Stadium in Round 2, expectations of a similarly entertaining performance are high.
In that fixture, both Heskey and Del Piero lived up to the considerable hype, scoring a goal apiece as the Jets secured a 3-2 win in front of 35, 419 fans. Here-s hoping for a similar result this weekend!
Griffiths v Griffiths
The Jets- Ryan Griffiths will go up against his brother Adam of Sydney FC for the second time this season. Ryan got sibling bragging rights last time as he snared a goal in the Jets- win over the Sky Blues.
Sydney FC-s signing of Adam-s twin brother and former Jets star Joel Griffiths – although he won-t be playing in this fixture – adds another element of spice to the contest.
Return of former Jets to Hunter Stadium
Adam Griffiths will be playing his first A-League match in Newcastle since he won the Grand Final with the Jets in 2008.
As well as Griffiths, the Sky Blues also boast former Jets Ali Abbas and Jason Culina. With Culina never having actually made it onto the park for the Jets, there is every chance he will feel he has something to prove to his former club.
Match day atmosphere
The match looks on track to become the Jets- biggest home crowd of the season, which should create an electric atmosphere inside the stadium on match day.
With their team in the in the middle of a mid-season slump, the Novocastrian faithful are set to turn out in big numbers to cheer their side to victory and help the Jets get their season back on track. As the old saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Season defining game for both clubs
Most importantly this match could have a major bearing on the fortune of both teams as we near the mid-point of the A-League season. Both teams are desperate for points with the Jets only notching one win in their last six games, while Sydney have only won one of their last seven.
With so much at stake, neither side is likely to take a backward step and everything is sure to be left out on the park. Three points from this fixture could be the spak the Jets need to surge up the A-League ladder in the back half of the season.
Those planning to attend are encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets from PROticket to secure the best seats and avoid queues on the day.
Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
Saturday, December 22
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 5.30pm
Tickets from PROticket
Limited parking will be available for purchase at the car park entrances on game days for the remainder of the Jets 2012/13 season. Whilst there will be parking available for purchase, Hunter Venues does encourage patrons to pre-purchase their parking tickets at a PROticket outlet or online at www.proticket.com.au as parking is subject to availability.
