Substitute Robert Stambolziev netted the winner in a
roller-coaster contest, as Graham Arnold's side kept the heat on Melbourne
Victory
Sydney FC have kept their Premier’s Plate hopes alive with a
heart-stopping 4-3 win over the Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium on Friday
night.
The Jets opened the scoring mid-way through the first half
through Enver Alivodic before the Sky Blues stunned the hosts with three goals
in eight minutes at the start of the second stanza.
Alex Brosque netted a quick-fire brace either side of a
Bernie Ibini strike to give the visitors breathing space before goals to Edson
Montano and Andrew Hoole appeared to rescue a point for the hosts.
But with less than 10 minutes remaining substitute Robert
Stambolziev popped up to break the Jets’
hearts and ensure the Premier’s plate race goes down to the final round.
GOALS
1-0 Alivodic (21’)
- Jets Striker Edson Montano received
the ball with his back to goal just inside the attacking half before playing a
deft ball over the top for Alivodic. The Serbian winger took his chance
beautifully, opting for a first-time dink from a tight angle over which left
the onrushing Vedran Janjetovic with no chance.
1-1 Brosque (49’)
- Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant picked up the ball on the hallway line before
splitting the Jets defence with a sublime through ball for Alex Brosque. The
Sky Blues skipper showed great composure before calmly slotting the ball past
the helpless Ben Kennedy.
1-2 Ibini (51’) -
The energetic Bernie Ibini produced an incisive solo run before unleashing a
thumping strike from distance which was well-saved by Jets custodian Ben
Kennedy. Ibini was the first to react and pounced on the rebound, clinically
slotting the ball home from close range.
1-3 Brosque (56’)
- Teenage defender Alex Gersbach was given too much space down the flank and
delivered a whipped ball for Brosque to nod home his brace. The skipper stooped down low in front of Jets
defender Allen Welsh before burying the ball into the far corner, leaving
Kennedy with no chance.
2-3 Montano (67’) – Jets winger Andrew Hoole played a lovely
one-two with Enver Alivodic on the edge of area before sliding a ball across
the face of goal to Montano. The Ecuadorian controlled the ball before bundling
the ball past the despairing Janjetovic.
3-3 Hoole (76’P) – The Sydney-bound winger was felled inside
the box as he shaped to shoot and the referee pointed to the spot. The
21-year-old stepped up and sent Janjetovic the wrong way, netting his maiden
goal in the A-League
3-4 Stambolziev (80’) - Jets keeper Ben Kennedy failed to
collect a cross with Sky Blues striker Shane Smeltz heading the ball across the
face of goal. Substitute winger Robert Stambolziev reacted first and slotted
the ball home from close range.
WHAT THEY SAID
“It’s definitely very important but we made it tough for
ourselves. We were 1-0 down, then went 3-1 up and let them back into the game,
so we definitely have to fix that going into the finals.” - Sydney FC’s Bernie
Ibini
“It’s very disappointing. To be 1-0 up, cruising I thought
in the first half. Then we come out in the second half positive and in the same
mind fame but we can’t concede three sloppy goals like that.” - Newcastle Jets’
Andrew Hoole
KEY MOMENT
With the Jets pushing hard for a late equaliser, Enver
Alivodic looked likely to pounce on a loose ball inside the Sky Blues area but
Vedran Janjetovic showed great athleticism to come out and smother the danger.
HIGHLIGHTS REEL
Serbian midfielder Milos Dimitrijevic did his Johnny Warren
Medal hopes no harm with another assured performance in the middle of the park
for the Sky Blues. Just before the interval, the playmaker showed his class
with a sublime back-heel through ball which put Alex Brosque in on goal.
Unfortunately the skipper wasn’t able to finish past Ben Kennedy, who produced
a sharp save.
OPTA DATA
Heading into the clash Sydney FC had mustered a league-high
280 shots for the season and added to that tally with 15 against the Jets.
Including eight on target.
COACH KILLER
Ben Kennedy had a decent game in goal for the hosts but he
was culpable for the decisive goal. The Jets custodian was beaten to the ball
by Shane Smeltz, with the striker nodding across goal for Stambolziev to prod
home.
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
The Sky Blues headed into the match with it all to play for
but they were out enthused by an energetic Jets outfit in the opening
stanza. Graham Arnold’s men created
plenty of chances to unlock the hosts’ defence but lacked a killer finish in
the final third, with marquee man Marc Janko in particular having an off night.
THE FINAL WORD
The Sky Blues’ Premier’s Plate hopes are still alive and
will eagerly await Melbourne Victory’s result tomorrow night against the Roar.
Graham Arnold’s men travel to Wellington next week to take on the Phoenix and
at the very least will be fighting for a top two berth.
The Jets will take heart from their improved showing at home
and look towards next season with renewed hope. Jets winger Enver Alivodic was
immense for the Jets and he is one Phil Stubbins needs to secure long-term.
Teams
Newcastle Jets:
Regan, Alivodic, Hoole, Montano, Pepper (Gallagher 79’), Welsh, Cooper
(Burgess 45’), Kennedy (gk, C), Mullen, Lee, Cowburn (T Cooper 69’)
Sydney FC: Ryall,
Jurman, Dimitrijevic, Ibini, Naumoff (Stambolziev 71’), Brosque (C), Gersbach,
Janjetovic (gk), Janko (Smeltz 63’), Grant (Triantis 85’), Faty
Scorers: Alivodic
21’, Brosque 49’, 56, Ibini 51’, Montano 67’, Hoole’ 76’, Stambolziev 80’
Red cards: None
Yellow cards: Hoole 25’,
Alivodic 27’, Faty 78’
Conditions: Fine, 20
degrees
Crowd: 8125 @Hunter Stadium
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