BEN Kantarovski and Stuart Musialik were born in Newcastle, play the same position and travelled similar paths to stardom.
Tomorrow they will go head to head when the Newcastle Jets take on Sydney FC at Sydney Football Stadium.
Such is the importance of the pair, whoever comes out on top will most likely celebrate with three points.
After playing predominantly as a centre back for the Australian under 19s, Kantarovski returns to his favoured role anchoring the midfield in place of suspended Italian Fabio Vignaroli.
"It is important for Ben to assume that role, but it is important for everyone to stand up," Jets coach Branko Culina said.
"Ben is only 17 years of age and you don't want all the pressure on a young kid."
Pressure is something Kantarovski has dealt with regularly.
He made his A-League debut at 16, is captain of the Australian under 19s and has already experienced life in camp as a Socceroo.
In the past month alone, he led Australia's under-19 team to qualification for next year's Asian Championship and completed his Higher School Certificate.
He returned from Indonesia with a slight knee problem and, after playing off the bench against Wellington, has been on light duties.
"It was good to have a bit of rest and also rest my knee," Kantarovski said. "It's more a long-term injury management thing than short term.
"I am getting into a different routine, not having to go to school every day or study. It is good in a way but it is also a bit boring because I don't have anything to do."
Kantarovski spent two years alongside Musialik at the Jets before the latter joined Sydney FC last season.
"Stuey did some wonderful things from Newcastle and when I first started I used to look up to him as a player," Kantarovski said.
"He really gets Sydney going. He has excellent vision and a good passing range. He can pick players off so you have to shut him down early."
Musialik has cemented his place at the base of a diamond-shaped midfield after being left out of the first six games under coach Vitezslav Lavicka.
"The thing that impresses about Stuart's game has always been his passing range, particularly when he goes forward," Culina said.
Culina said the main advantage Musialik had over his young adversary was experience.
"The difference is that Stuart is 24 and Ben is 17," the coach said.
"Stuart has the experience and knowledge. You can't compensate for that.
"Ben will certainly get there.
"He is very composed for his age and we are trying to add a bit more to his game. We want to make sure he is a bit more direct with his game, which I think Musialik had trouble with as well.
"If he can add that, he has the physical presence. To me Ben is as equally at home as a defender.
"With that I think he will have a huge advantage over many players in Australian football."
While Kantarovski will be charged with pulling the strings for the Jets, Jobe Wheelhouse will have the job of shutting down Musialik.
"The idea for us is to make sure we close him down quickly and don't allow him the space and time," Culina said. "The last thing you want is to allow Stuey to sit in the middle of the park and distribute at will."
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