The Newcastle Jets have maintained their unbeaten record at Suncorp Stadium this evening, scoring their fifth successive win in Brisbane with a hard fought 1-0 win over the Queensland Roar.
The Newcastle Jets have maintained their unbeaten record at Suncorp Stadium this evening, scoring their fifth successive win in Brisbane with a hard fought 1-0 win over the Queensland Roar.
A mistake by former Jets goalkeeper Liam Reddy led to a Joel Griffiths winner deep into the second half to secure the win for the reigning Hyundai A-League Champions.
The first half was quiet in terms of goalmouth action, with neither team able to get a firm grip on the game. The Jets did, however, have the better of possession but were unable to convert that into a goal in the opening stanza.
Queensland-s best opportunity of the half was quashed by Socceroo goalkeeper Ante Covic in the 23rd minute. Midfield livewire Massimo Murdocca put in a fine cross which was met firmly by the head of Dutch striker Sergio van Dijk, but as the ball appeared to be heading into the back of the net, Covic pulled off an outrageous one-handed save at full stretch.
On 30 minutes, right-back Tarek Elrich pushed forward to get involved in an attack initiated by midfielders Jin-Hyung Song and James Holland. Elrich received the ball 25 yards out from goal and cut inside onto his left foot before firing his shot just wide of Reddy-s goal.
The second period then began as the first concluded, with chances in front of goal few and far between. Charlie Miller created the first spark for the Roar, but the Scotsman pushed his diving header straight to Covic, who held comfortably.
In the 53rd minute Song had a wonderful opportunity after being played in by enthusiastic Holland. With only Reddy to beat, the Korean import hit his shot straight at the Queensland custodian, however.
Covic was in superb form, and pulled off a remarkable double save in the 80th minute, first from substitute Michael Zullo, and then backing up to block the follow-up from Miller.
The Jets then sealed their 5th successive win at Suncorp Stadium when star striker Joel Griffiths stabbed home a Song corner that was fumbled by Reddy only 6 yards out from goal. It was Griffiths- 6th goal in 8 games against the Roar, and was enough to claim all three points from the Queensland capital.
Jets Head coach Gary van Egmond believes that his team-s first win of the season will be a strong platform from which his young team can grow.
“We ensured that we were very tight defensively and now that-s two clean sheets which is going to go a long way in building more confidence, as will the three points.”
“It seems like a very good hunting ground for us, albeit with a little bit of luck tonight, but three points is three points.”
“It-s a good feeling now in the camp, and obviously in the dressing room tonight with the first win, so we-re looking forward to next week,” van Egmond said.
The Jets will play away to Adelaide United next Saturday before returning home to EnergyAustralia Stadium on Monday, 6 October to take on Wellington Phoenix.
Match Details:
Queensland Roar Squad. 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Andrew PACKER, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Craig MOORE (c), 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Charlie MILLER (6. Dave DODD 88-), 11. Reinaldo (7. Michael ZULLO 67-), 15. Matt McKAY, 16. Hyuk-Su SEO, 18. Danny TIATTO (12. Tahj MINNIECON 67-)
Unused substitutes: 20. Griffin McMASTER (gk)
Yellow cards: Matt McKay 60-, Michael Zullo 90-
Red cards: Nil
Newcastle Jets Squad. 1. Ante COVIC (gk), 2. Adam GRIFFITHS, 3. Jade NORTH (c), 5. James HOLLAND, 8. Matt THOMPSON (23. Edmundo ZURA 69-), 9. Joel GRIFFITHS, 10. Jin-Hyung SONG, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 13. Adam D-APUZZO, 15. Jason HOFFMAN (7. Kaz PATAFTA 64-), 25. Daniel PIORKOWSKI.
Unused substitutes: 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 20. Ben KENNEDY (gk)
Yellow cards: Jin-Hyung Song 4-, Tarek Elrich 60-
Red cards: Nil
Queensland Roar: 0
Newcastle Jets: 1 (J. Griffiths 83-)
Referee: Craig Zetter
Crowd: 12,103
