Jedi master to star in derby wars

Mile Jedinak

Wednesday, 22 October 2008 Central Coast Mariners

He may well hold the key to the Central Coast Mariners’ chances of derby bliss on Friday night and Mariners Members and supporters can be assured that Mile Jedinak is primed for battle in one of the Hyundai A-League’s glamour fixtures. Arguably the form player in the Hyundai A-League at present, Jedinak looms as a central figure to the Mariners’ chances of success against derby rivals the Newcastle Jets at Bluetongue Stadium on Friday. Not only has Jedinak’s all round contribution from midfield been an outstanding one thus far in season four, but the Qantas Socceroo has engineered a free-kick facet to his game that provides the Mariners with an unparalleled threat from set plays. Jedinak so nearly scored from unfathomable distance against the Wellington Phoenix last Sunday after landing bombs against the Queensland Roar and Perth Glory in previous rounds. However, most immediately, Jedinak craves a telling contribution against the Mariners’ fiercest Hyundai A-League rivals on Friday. "You always expect a tough game against Newcastle, they’re a good side and it showed last week, they played all over Melbourne and it’s going to be a tough one on Friday," said Jedinak. "Because it’s such a local derby, the rivalry is always going to be there and it shows with every game that we play against them, they’re always tight battles, no one holds back and I’m sure Friday will be no different." Jedinak has been a cornerstone contributor to the Mariners’ early season successes, which up until last Sunday’s loss to the Wellington Phoenix at Bluetongue Stadium had included a five-match unbeaten streak that coincided with Jedinak’s return from an early season groin injury. Aside from last Sunday’s opponents, the Phoenix, the Jets are the only Hyundai A-League opposition that Jedinak is yet to score against, though the Qantas Socceroo did net a brace against the Mariners’ northern rivals at Canberra Stadium in an exhibition fixture ahead of the current campaign. One of only two Hyundai A-League players to appear on the team sheet for Australia’s recent 4-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying triumph over Qatar, Jedinak will be hoping to carry his recent form into Friday’s blockbuster at Bluetongue Stadium, where the season three Mariners Medallist has showcased the majority of his most of impressive Hyundai A-League displays. "I think that it’s very important that we get a result on Friday because the sooner we can put the Phoenix result behind us, the better," said Jedinak. "We’ve got to go back to where we were a few weeks ago, working together, working as a unit and just being switched on from the get go. "Hopefully we can set the tempo, put pressure on them and hopefully that will get us over the line."