NEWCASTLE’S CURRENT WEATHER is nearly 20 degrees Celsius warmer, but striker Roy O’Donovan insists the cold Japanese conditions will be an advantage as he and his Jets team-mates shoot for the Asian Champions League group stage.

Cork man O’Donovan and A-League Newcastle face reigning ACL champions Kashima Antlers on Tuesday for a position in the continental tournament, with the temperature expected to drop as low as eight degrees at Kashima Soccer Stadium.

With the Jets playing in warmer weather around the 30-degree mark recently, O’Donovan feels the cooler conditions will help the team play their natural game.

“It’s going to help us to breathe a lot easier,” the former Cork City and Sunderland striker said.

“We’ll play the conditions a lot better than probably playing in Perth – and the way the weather has been in Newcastle the past few weeks.

“It’s a positive for us and it will help us play our game.”

Roy O'Donovan celebrates and Eircom League goal against Sligo Rovers in 2007. ©INPHO / Neil Danton ©INPHO / Neil Danton / Neil Danton

It was only three months ago that Kashima lifted their first Asian Champions League title with a 2-0 aggregate win over Iran’s Persepolis, but a tournament quirk means they did not automatically qualify for the upcoming edition because of their third-placed finish in the J-League.

O’Donovan was aware of the challenge confronting the Jets but said the 3-1 win over Melbourne City on Friday, in which he scored a goal and assisted another, had given the team confidence.

“It’s a great opportunity for us – we just want to do Newcastle proud,” he said.

“Every time you put on a Newcastle Jets shirt it’s like a suit of armour for us – it gives you that extra pep in your step.

“We’re not taking Kashima lightly. They are a really good side – but it’s a really great opportunity for us and I can’t wait to get going.

“We know they were the champions of Asia for a reason [in November last year] and it’s going to be difficult.”

O’Donovan, 33, has scored six goals in 11 A-League appearances for the Jets this season, and has netted three in as many games this month.

- Omni

Subscribe to our new podcast, The42 Rugby Weekly, here:

TV Wrap: Kilbane no-nonsense as Declan Rice saga finally reaches its end