Grand Final New To Mendy
Words: Staff Writers
Image: Albert Perez/Moreton Bay United FC
Charles Mendy has played professional football in Europe but Sunday will mark a career first for the Frenchman - playing in a Grand Final.
The dynamic forward previously played for professional clubs in France, Bulgaria and Romania before linking up with Jets for the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland 2014 campaign.
However, with European competitions traditionally not contesting an end-of-season playoff series outside of promotion and relegation battles, this Sunday’s Grand Final against Brisbane Strikers will be a new experience for the 25-year-old.
“It’s different here, obviously, from the leagues in England and Europe. They do not have grand finals, so this is my first,” Mendy explained.
“It’s going to be great. I heard from my team-mates the Grand Final here in Australia is something special, so we’ll see what happens.”
“I feel pretty good, pretty excited, very keen to play this game. We want to show people we deserved to win the league and (we will) do everything we can to win the Grand Final too.”
He won’t be alone in tasting Grand Final football for the first time, with Sunday’s showdown marking the first PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Grand Final for the Jets in their short, three-year history.
Mendy has been instrumental in ensuring the Jets Premiership winning run in 2015 - delivering nine goals in 23 appearances this season after adapting to a wider role in the formation.
However, he said despite the Jets boasting home ground advantage and finishing the regular season ahead of Strikers on the table, he expects a close contest in the end-of-season decider.
“There is not much difference,” he explained, “both are good teams. Some people think Strikers are better, but to be honest I think we deserved to be Champions.”
“I think (it's) going to be a very tough game and we don’t want to miss a chance. It would be good to score early and not miss a chance.”
Win or lose, as 2015 Premiers Jets will represent Queensland the following week in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series against Edgeworth Eagles, with the winner of the three-match national play-offs earning qualification to next year’s Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32.
However, Mendy said the team remains completely focused on the task at hand this weekend and won't be distracted.
“We’re not thinking any further (ahead) than the Grand Final - only after the Grand Final will we think about the next finals game,” he concluded.
PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2015 Men’s Grand Final
Moreton Bay United FC v Brisbane Strikers FC
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Wolter Park, Moreton Bay
Kick-off at 5:00PM
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