Five fresh faces are in contention to feature in Sunday’s crunch F3 Derby at McDonald Jones Stadium after the Jets incurred three one-match suspensions last round.
With captain Nigel Boogaard, plus foreign players Wayne Brown and Ma Leilei picking up their fifth yellow cards of the campaign against the Reds last Friday night, a raft of first teamers have been added to Mark Jones’s preliminary squad for F3 Derby 40.
The experienced Ben Kantarovski, who has 14 F3 Derby appearances to his credit, and Labinot Haliti, 13 F3 Derby appearances to his record, have been added to the Jets’ initial squad.
Moreover, Finnish striker Aleksandr Kokko, Ivan Vujica, and Joel Allwright could all be set to feature in the clash with Central Coast Mariners.
Kantarovski, Haliti, Kokko, Vujica and Allwright all played some game time in Wednesday’s practice match against Liaoning Whowin FC from the Chinese Super League at Ray Watt Oval. The game finished 2-2.
The Jets led 2-0 after goals from Haliti and Kokko. A brace from Nigerian international Anthony Ujah in the second half restored parity to the game, however by that stage the Jets were fielding the Club’s youth squad.
Read more about the match here.
Newcastle Jets Squad vs. Central Coast Mariners: 2. Daniel MULLEN, 3. Jason HOFFMAN, 5. Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 7. Andrew HOOLE, 8. Mateo POLJAK, 9. Aleksandr KOKKO, 11. Labinot HALITI, 13. Ivan VUJICA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Nicholas COWBURN, 19. Morten NORDSTRAND, 20. Jack DUNCAN (Gk), 22. Lachlan JACKSON, 23. Devante CLUT, 28. John KOUTROUMBIS, 29. Joel ALLWRIGHT, 50. Tomislav ARCABA (Gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 5. Ben KANTAROVSKI (promoted), 9. Aleksandr KOKKO (promoted), 11. Labinot HALITI (promoted), 13. Ivan VUJICA (promoted), 29. Joel ALLWRIGHT (promoted)
Outs: 4. Nigel BOOGAARD (suspended – 1 week), 10. Wayne BROWN (suspended – 1 week), 18. MA Leilei (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: 1. Ben KENNEDY (achilles – season), 4. Nigel BOOGAARD (suspended – 1 week), 10. Wayne BROWN (suspended – 1 week), 18. MA Leilei (suspended – 1 week), 21. Daniel ALESSI (knee – season)
Newcastle Jets vs. Central Coast Mariners – Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Round 21
Date: Sunday 26 February 2017
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 5pm
Gates open: 4pm
Tickets: Please click here to purchase match tickets
TV Broadcast: Watch LIVE on FOX SPORTS 505
Radio Broadcast: Listen LIVE on 1233 ABC Newcastle
Social Media: Join the match conversation using #F3Derby & #ALeague
