This Sunday night sees our Liberty A-League side meet up with the league-leaders, Sydney FC, as we look to take down the undefeated high-flyers of the competition at home.
The Jets return to No.2 Sportsground for the second time this season to a venue our women and fans love and will be hoping it may be the factor that brings them back to the winners’ circle.
Our Women have struggled in the last few games and have been defeated in their past two games against top four opponents and this weekend will prove to be one of their toughest challenges yet.
Sydney are flying at the top of the table with eight wins and one draw to their name – no losses.
Here’s your complete breakdown of our Matchday Nine fixture at home:
NEWCASTLE JETS V SYDNEY FC
Date: Sunday 13 February 2022
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Venue: No.2 Sportsground
How to Watch: SECURE YOUR TICKETS
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Played: 25
Jets: 5
Draws: 4
Sydney: 16
BIG SYDNEY CHALLENGE
This weekend we come up against the team who have deservedly proven they are title favourites, however one of their more difficult matches they’ve experienced this season came at the hands of our Jets.
Sydney have only conceded one goal so far this season, but it was courtesy of our winger Lauren Allan and this weekend she’ll feature again.
Our recent history against Sydney has been disappointing. The last time we won was back in 2017, and unfortunately we’ve lost our last six games.
However, we’ve managed to score in most of those games and trouble the scoreline. We’ve only been held scoreless three times in our past ten clashes and if we’re able to end our recent goalless run, it could see us take the first victory over the front runners.
TOP FOUR CHASE
After our two recent defeats, our finals hopes have been dented. However, they aren’t completely dashed just yet.
Currently our Jets sit nine points off fourth-placed Melbourne Victory, and with six games, and a possible 18 points remaining this season, every game is vital to our possible success.
After this game with Sydney, we still have matches to come against Wanderers, Canberra and two against Brisbane – all teams below us on the ladder – which provides a great opportunity to scrape a way into the four if we can take points from Sydney, and our other catch-up game against Melbourne City.
If our side can take points away from this Sunday, it’ll go a long way to building momentum on the run home.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marie Dolvik (Newcastle Jets)
Norwegian-international Marie Dolvik has made a strong impression since joining this season, however has struggled with consistent appearances due to injury and COVID-related issues.
So far Dolvik has managed two goals and multiple assists, and has proven to be the difference in matches on various games.
She’ll be looked upon as a key factor in our squad this weekend after only making a small cameo last time we met with Sydney in Round One.
If she can showcase more of her threatening runs from the wing and trouble Sydney’s defence with the ball, she’ll not only prove to be a danger herself, but also create opportunities for teammates.
Courtnee Vine (Sydney FC)
23-year-old and former Newcastle Jet, Courtnee Vine recently made her Matildas debut after showcasing strong performances in the league to begin the season.
The attacker has already scored four goals and two assists from her six games, and has proven herself to be as one of the biggest dangers across the competition when going forward.
Vine also is in the top 10 for key passes per game, successful dribbles per game, and shots on target per game.
STATS & FACTS
Not only are Sydney out-and-out leaders in defensive stats, but also in attack. They have conceded just one goal – eight less than the next best – and scored 28 which is also nine goals better City in second.
Additionally, Sydney also shine in many stat departments such as shots on target per match, accurate passes and big chances created.
Contrastingly, both teams like to dominate possession and sit above an average of over 50%, and also tend to make more passes than their opponents. We both have a 71% success rate in passing too.
While Sydney lead the league in chances created, we aren’t too far behind. Sydney have made 22, while we are at 14, and thus are close in chances missed – Sydney have missed 15, while we’ve missed 12.
