Ruben Zadkovich says the Jets are approaching Friday week’s must-win clash with Western Sydney Wanderers like a Cup Final.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets captain Ruben Zadkovich says the Jets are approaching Friday week-s must-win clash with Western Sydney Wanderers like a Cup Final.
With no game scheduled for the Jets this weekend, Zadkovich said the drawn-out build-up in the lead-up to next week-s do-or-die clash with the table-topping Wanderers would further add to the already palpable sense of occasion.
“We-re really looking forward to this game. We know next week we-ll really have to start sharpening up because it-s a massive game and our whole season will be on the line,” Zadkovich said.
“It-s a little bit like a Cup match where you get a little bit of extra time to look at the opposition and have a look at the way you-re going to go about playing the game.
“That-s the case for us and hopefully we get it right.”
An electric atmosphere is anticipated for the clash at Hunter Stadium with a large contingent of travelling Western Sydney fans expected to complement an even bigger turnout of Jets Members and supporters.
Zadkovich said he is expecting the sort of big-game atmosphere that professional footballers thrive on.
“If we put their travelling fans with the quality fans we already have and the true Novocastrians, then I think it-s going to be a really good atmosphere in that Stadium,” he said.
With any number of permutations still possible between now and match day, the Jets won-t know exactly what type of result they require until in the hours before kick-off.
Zadkovich said the key to success for the Jets would be ensuring they carry out their game plan to a tee on the day.
“We have to look at this game and treat it on it-s own merits,” he said.
“I think the last two games we-ve played quite well and in my opinion, and probably most other people-s opinions, we deserved to win both of them.
If we keep creating chances and playing the way we did in those last two games, we-ll be fine.
“Basically it will be a matter of us executing on the day. If do it, we can certainly beat them.
“We-ve beaten them before at their ground earlier on in the season, so we know we can do it, we-ve got the players to do it, it will just be a matter of execution on the day.”
Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers
Friday, March 29
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 5.30pm
Tickets from PROticket
