The Newcastle Jets have an impressive record at Suncorp Stadium, and today young striker Jason Hoffman spoke about that ahead of the team’s clash with the Queensland Roar.
The Newcastle Jets have won all 4 previous encounters against the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium and tomorrow evening the reigning Hyundai A-League Champions will be pressing to add a 5th successive win to that imposing record.
During the 4 head-to-head clashes in the Queensland capital, the Jets have netted 6 goals and have never conceded. One player who is hoping to get himself on the score sheet this time around is youngster Jason Hoffman.
“We-ve really grinded out our victories in Queensland,” Hoffman said today. “I think we can exploit some of their weaknesses, especially in the final third with Joel (Griffiths) and now (Edmundo) Zura we-ve got plenty of pace that can exploit an ageing Queensland defence.”
“Joel-s actually stood up and he-s pulled a lot of us strikers away after training and done extra finishing. So with Joel being a little bit older he-s taken on more of a leadership role.”
“We-re just hoping that once a few goals are going in and other people start scoring, besides Joel, the pressure will be taken off and the goals will finally come for the team.”
A current Qantas Young Socceroo, Hoffman has returned to Newcastle with plenty of confidence after taking part in Australian Under-20 and Under-23 camps earlier this year. An intelligent and well-spoken young man, the striker believes the Jets can build on last Saturday-s 0-0 draw with Sydney FC, where the team from the Hunter dominated the bulk of the play.
“What showed on the weekend was that I found that I got back and defended quite well, but just in that final third that-s where we need the people up front to create. At the moment that-s what I-m trying to work on and build towards scoring goals and setting up goals for the team,” said Hoffman.
The Roar-s Charlie Miller has impressed many pundits in the first four rounds of the competition, scoring a goal in each game. Hoffman, however, is convinced that the Jets have the personnel to keep the Scottish import under wraps and dominate the Roar to claim all 3 points.
“We spoke a little bit about Miller this morning, we know that he-s very good on the ball, but he-s not the quickest. It-s players like (Massimo) Murdocca and (Matt) McKay that are the real engines behind Queensland that we have to try and stamp out of the game. With Adam Griffiths back in the squad now after the problems that he-s had, we-re confident that he can do a defensive job on Miller and keep him pretty quiet for the game,” declared Hoffman.
The Jets will return home to take on Wellington Phoenix on Monday, 6 October from 3:00pm. Tickets are available from www.proticket.com.au, or by calling (02) 4915 2345.
