Budding midfielder Steven Ugarkovic says there is no shortage of motivation amongst Newcastle Jets players leading into this Saturday’s F3 Derby at Central Coast Stadium despite the match bearing no influence on the Hyundai A-League’s forthcoming Finals Series.
Ugarkovic scored a 57th minute winner when the two clubs last met on the banks of the Brisbane Water in late February, and enjoyed the post-match celebrations with the Squadron in the south-eastern corner of the Stadium.
The 21-year-old Australian U-23 representative wants to feel derby day delight again this weekend, knowing that club supporters crave a final round success over their foes.
“There is still motivation,” Ugarkovic said of the club’s round 27 fixture. “It’s the derby this week and we all still want to do well and play well even though the finals are out of reach.”
“It’s the last game of the season and we want to put on a good performance for the fans, the club and the coaching staff, and end the season on a high.”
“Walking around the field after the last game against Mariners and knowing we got the three points was amazing.”
“A lot of the fans came down in that corner [of the Stadium].”
“To reward them with a win in the last game of the season would mean a lot to us as a club and as players,” he said.
Who reckons Steven Ugarkovic can score the match winner in Saturday’s #F3Derby in Gosford, just like he did back in February? Let us know if you’ll be supporting the boys on the banks of the Brisbane Water this weekend by commenting below!FREE BUS: http://bit.ly/1RVhIiL
Posted by Newcastle Jets on Monday, 4 April 2016
Ugarkovic arrived at the Jets in January and since then has featured in 10 matches for the club, starting nine.
The former NK Osijek man says he feels the group have even improved over past weeks in the A-League, despite results going against Scott Miller’s side.
“Since I have come in I feel that as a team we are improving,” he said. “Playing wise on and off the field I have noticed that things are improving.”
“Every game is a learning curve no matter whether you win or lose, so even ahead of the last round we’re looking at where we can improve.”
“We want to perform as a team,” he explained.
