The Newcastle Jets will travel to Sydney for a mid-week clash with the Sky Blues in the Westfield W-League, kicking off the second half of their 2017/18 campaign.
The Jets are fresh off an impressive 3 – 1 win over the Victory in Melbourne, but will have their hands full against a rampaging Sky Blues outfit that have five wins from their last five starts.
Last time the two sides faced off was in Round 2, with the Jets running out 2 –0 winners at McDonald Jones Stadium
W-League Head Coach, Craig Deans was expecting a tough match up with the Sydneysiders.
“They’ve been on a great run recently and are playing some quality football, so it’s another big game for us,” said Deans.
“The way the competition is placed at the moment, every win is important and this is no different.
“Sydney have got match-winners all over the park in De Vanna, Foord and Siemsen.
“We’ve got to respect those players but most importantly, make sure we go about our business and play the way we want to.”
Deans said he was pleased with his side’s most recent performance, with contributions right across the park.
“I think overall it was a great team performance, it was good to see our fullbacks getting forward and Hannah getting on the score sheet – it’s something we’ve been wanting to do more of,” added Deans.
“Cass Davis and Tash Prior were great at the back, Clare Wheeler was outstanding in the middle and Arin Gilliland continues to threaten up front.
“I think that we’re hitting our straps at a good time, now we get the chance to test ourselves against another quality opposition.”
Gema Simon capped off a successful return from injury, playing the final 10 minutes of the Victory clash, with the Matilda in line for more minutes over the coming weeks.
“We’ll be trying to increase Gema’s minutes as we move through the next few weeks, but it all comes down to the game situation.
“I know what she’s capable of and if needed she can do a job almost anywhere on the park, but ideally we’d like to progressively increase her workload and have her firing towards the end of the season.”
Simon, a former captain of the club, will make her 100th W-League appearance should she take the field tomorrow afternoon.
Wednesday, 3 January 2018
Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-Off: 5:20pm (AEDT)
Referee: Lara Lee
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 5.00pm (AEDT) and SBS VICELAND
Join the conversation: #WLeague #SYDvNEW
Newcastle Jets: 2.Hannah BREWER, 3.Natasha PRIOR, 5.Arin GILLILAND, 6.Cassidy DAVIS, 7.Gema SIMON, 8.Sophie NENADOVIC, 9.Katie STENGEL, 10.Emily VAN EGMOND (c), 11.Cortnee VINE, 12.Tara ANDREWS, 16.Nikola ORGILL, 17.Jenna KINGSLEY, 18. Clare WHEELER, 20.Claire COEHLO (Gk), 23.Tori HUSTER, 28.Britt ECKERSTROM (gk)
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 12.Tara ANDREWS (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Sydney FC: 1.Sham KHAMIS (gk), 2.Teresa POLIAS (c), 3.Remy SIEMSEN, 4.Elizabeth RALSTON, 7.Rachael SOUTAR, 8.Amy HARRISON, 9.Caitlin FOORD, 10.Kylie LEDBROOK, 11.Lisa DE VANNA, 12.Teigen ALLEN, 13.Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 15.Caitlin COOPER, 16.Emily SONNETT, 19.Leena KHAMIS, 20.Princess IBINI, 21.Julia VIGNES, 29.Aubrey BLEDSOE (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 19.Leena KHAMIS (promoted), 21.Julia VIGNES (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 6.Chloe LOGARZO (wrist – 3 weeks)
