Defender Taylor Regan says he was proud of the way Newcastle Jets reacted to Edson Montaño’s incorrectly revoked goal against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.
Speaking with members of the local press following a pool session at the University of Newcastle today, Regan explained that the Jets resolved at half time not to let the decision disturb their focus to win the game against Wanderers.
The locally born and bred stopper also revealed that Saturday’s match officials admitted their error to the Jets players at the interval in Parramatta, which the players appreciated.
“When it happened it was kind of weird,” Regan said of Montaño’s offside call. “I didn’t even argue the point because I had no idea what had happened.”
“Obviously at half time we got confirmation that it was onside by quite a distance, and then I spoke to Strebre (Delovski) the referee and they recognised the fact that it should have been a goal also.”
“But there’s nothing we could have done about it, once that decision’s made it stands.”
“I have always been of the belief that you make your own luck … and we found a way to win,” he said.
Two of the Jets’ foreign players, Enver Alivodić and Lee Ki-je, got their names on the scoresheet in round 22, and Montaño of course ought to have added to his three goals this campaign.
Regan said he and his teammates would have loved to see the powerful Ecuadorian attacker find the back of the net, and today took time to recognise the overall commitment of the on-loan Barcelona SC striker.
“His [Montaño’s] purpose for our team is obviously to score goals but at the same time he is such a massive outlet for us when we’re deep in our half and we need that pressure valve released where we play it long and he holds it up,” Regan said.
“He’s so strong, he serves a purpose in our team not only to score goals but to hold the ball up and bring other people into play, and I think he did that pretty well on the weekend.”
Regan concluded his Monday media opportunity by noting that the Jets must back up Saturday’s win over Wanderers with another solid display this Sunday against Adelaide United.
The Reds crushed Newcastle 7-0 in the city of churches the last time the two teams met, but the Jets’ only home win of the season did come against Josep Gomabu’s men in round 11.
Adelaide United feature Nigel Boogaard in their backline. Boogaard has been signed by the Jets for the next three Hyundai A-League campaigns.
“They [Adelaide] have structure, they have weapons all over the park and they throw everything at you,” he said. “So we have to be mindful of that but at the same time we are at home and we have to get on the front foot and try and dictate it [the game], try and control it and try and put on a good show for our fans who ultimately deserve it.”
“Nigel [Boogaard] is a good player and a good leader, and it will be great when we get him here next year, but at the moment he is wearing a red jersey at the weekend so we treat him as another Adelaide United player – we show him respect but at the same time we give him no mercy, we’ve got to win.”
Newcastle Jets vs. Adelaide United – Hyundai A-League 2014/15 Round 23
Date: Sunday 29 March 2015
Stadium: Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 5:00pm
Tickets: www.JoinTheJets.org
Television: Live on FOX SPORTS 505
Radio: Live on ABC Grandstand & 1233 ABC Newcastle
Twitter: Join the match conversation using #NEWvADL @NewcastleJetsFC
