“It’s a huge game for us” – that’s the verdict of Cameron Miller, assistant coach of Jets’ Senior Men, on tomorrow’s clash with Brisbane Roar at Wolter Park (6pm).
The race for the NPL finals has rarely been closer with six points separating Jets, in seventh, and second-placed Roar, with leaders Peninsula Power one point ahead.
Both sides have five games left in the regular season. Four of Jets’ fixtures, including tomorrow, are at Wolter Park. Roar play all their games away.
Jets have described their run of five successive home games as “five cup finals”. They won the first beating Capalaba 4-0 last weekend.
“We have things in our own hands at the moment,” said Cameron, “if we lose on Sunday we may have to rely on results elsewhere.
“I don’t think we need to talk about the position, the players are all aware of that. We don’t keep looking at the league table, the players are aware of that.
“Both have young squads, but we’ve got some experienced heads who have won NPL leagues and grand finals. That might help in a pressure game.”
Three months ago, Jets won 3-2 in arguably the greatest finish seen at Wolter Park, winning 3-2 with two goals in injury time, seconds after going down to 10 men!
Roar are the league’s leading scorers with 64 goals, following by Lions 63 and Jets 58. Cyrus Dehmie (Roar) is second on the scoring charts with 18, Ryo Ono (Jets) fifth on 15.
“Roar have some very good attacking players, Eli Adams and Cyrus Dehmie,” said Cameron Miller, “if they get the ball in the right areas they will be hard to stop.
“But we have some attacking weapons ourselves going forward. Zac (Kierpal) always plays with confidence and he’s probably due a goal.
“I don’t think he feel pressure and expect him to show up on Sunday. Jake (Ellenberger) is pretty much the same.
“He’s come into the first team and scored first touch (last week against Capalaba).
“He played at Gold Coast United (on Wednesday) in his third start for the Under 23s and scored two goals (in a 3-0 victory). He’s playing with confidence.”
Jets Under 23s face Roar at 3.45pm in a meeting of second against first. Jets trail the visitors by four points with one game in hand. Victory tomorrow and in their catch-up game would take Jets to the top.
Jets' Under 18s go head-to-head at 1.45pm with Jets in fourth and Roar currently second on the ladder.