Newcastle Jets played out a goalless draw with Brisbane Roar in a Hyundai A-League 2015/16 pre-season friendly at Cleveland Showgrounds in Queensland on Saturday.
Spectators at the home of Redlands United FC witnessed a match in which the two sides traded chances throughout the 90 minutes without managing to land a killer blow.
Roar’s Costa Rican forward Jean Carlos Solórzano looked the most likely player to find the back of the net for the hosts, though he spurned an opportunity in the third minute before seeing an effort saved by Mark Birighitti in the 18th.
Jets attacker Labinot Haliti also looked threatening throughout the trial — in the 13th minute he couldn’t quite manage to make Jamie Young sweat, though in the 63rd he forced the Brisbane goalkeeper into a brilliant save having latched on to a neat David Carney cross.
In the 81st minute Haliti went within centimetres of breaking the deadlock only for Roar’s young fullback Corey Brown to clear his shot off the line.
Newcastle Head Coach Scott Miller made four substitutions in the second half, the most notable being a first Jets appearance for new Brazilian recruit Leonardo Vitor Santiago.
Leonardo replaced Mitch Cooper in the 59th minute, ensuring he got just over 30 crucial pre-season match minutes in Jets colours into his legs.
Following the game Jets boss Miller told www.NewcastleJets.com.au that he was pleased with the effort and commitment shown by his charges against Roar.
“The commitment and desire that I am seeing from our players as we head into the season is very good,” Miller said.
“Today they demonstrated a real understanding for their roles and responsibilities, and while there were no goals scored in the match I was happy with the chances we created in attack.”
“The mentality of the group is definitely positive, and with just 29 days to go until we start the season proper I am pleased with where things are at.”
“Hopefully our Members and fans are starting to get excited about the new campaign too. I think they will be proud of this group of Newcastle Jets players this season,” he said.
Brisbane Roar 0
Newcastle Jets 0
Cleveland Showgrounds, Brisbane
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Newcastle Jets: 1. Mark Birighitti (Gk), 2. Daniel Mullen (22. Lachlan Jackson 84’), 3. Jason Hoffman, 4. Nigel Boogaard (C), 6. Cameron Watson (5. Ben Kantarovski 59’), 7. Enver Alivodic, 8. Mateo Poljak, 11. Labinot Haliti, 13. Lee Ki-je, 14. Mitch Cooper (10. Leonardo 59’), 23. David Carney (25. Brandon Lundy 70’)
Substitutes not used: 20. Blake Tuxford (Gk)
Brisbane Roar: 5. Corey Brown, 6. Jerome Polenz (19. Jack Hingert 35’), 8. Steven Lustica, 11. Jean Carlos Solórzano (26. Nicholas D’Agostino 59’), 13. Jade North (C), 14. Daniel Bowles, 16. Devante Clut, 21. Jamie Young (Gk), 22. Thomas Broich (20. Shannon Brady 65’), 23. Dimitri Petratos, 32. George Lambaridis (27. Mitch Hore 70’)
Substitutes not used: 15. James Donachie, 39. Tomislav Bilic
