Newcastle Jets captain Nigel Boogaard believes Sunday’s A-League double header is the perfect opportunity for his team to snap a losing run and build momentum heading into the back end of the season.
Sitting 11th with three straight losses, the Jets host Adelaide at McDonald Jones Stadium in the second match of two to be played at the ground this coming Sunday.
In order for the Jets to keep their finals ambitions alive, they need to start getting results and this weekend is a perfect opportunity to start a rich run of form.
Wellington kick the afternoon off against Brisbane at 4pm, with both sides playing some exciting football.
“We spoke about it at length this morning,” Boogaard said.
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“We need to start to turn good performances into getting results.”
Newcastle hosts the first A-League double header in over a decade as this weekend’s spectacle looks to bring in the crowds for what is set to be a big afternoon of football.
“Anytime there is a special football event, whether its Matilda’s or something like this the crowds really turns out in numbers and prove that we are a very strong footballing town with great history and culture,” Boogaard stated.
“It’s important for the game over the next couple of years to really push forward and show the talent both existing and new.
“It’s something the sport needs to do in the future to make sure we are knocking on the door of the other codes and start to push for marketing and commercial revenue that some of those other codes have that we currently don’t.”
Boogaard believes Sunday’s A-League double header is a prime opportunity for the competition to showcase itself to potential suitors with the broadcast rights up for negotiation.
“At the backend of last year, during Covid, the players took it amongst themselves, to go back and made sure the game rolled on and we were able to showcase the talent we do have in this competition, and this season is a testament to it,” he said.
“It’s probably the closest competition we have had in years in terms of top to bottom, there is not a big gap there yet, and it’s exciting, a lot of young players, local players, the future of our game and for our national team moving forward.
“So, it’s an exciting time, yes, the game needs to grow this year to put us on the map; nationally and internationally.”
