Temperatures took their toll in the National Youth League as Sydney FC lost to the Newcastle Jets 3-1 at Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday
Temperatures took their toll in the National Youth League as Sydney FC lost to the Newcastle Jets 3-1 at Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
Sydney hadn-t lost at the ground all season so was confident going into the match with their lower-ranked opponents.
But the Sky Blues were in trouble even before the match began, with Tim McGowan injuring his ankle in warm-up. The visitors took full advantage of Sydney-s bad luck, catching them napping in the first minute to take the early lead through Mario Simic-s header off a cross by William Angel.
A drinks break mid way through the first half gave both teams the chance to regroup and the affects were obvious on the home side as they countered every Jets attack.
In the 31st minute, Sydney equalised as Matthew Jurman found himself in the right place after Newcastle keeper Robbie Kolak fumbled a free kick. The big Sydney defender twisted his body enough to make contact with the ball to level the scores.
“Once we got that first goal we started playing good football,” said Sam Munro after the match. “We thought we-d get on top after that.”
Sydney-s goalkeeper Nenad Vekic was forced to prove his worth as the Jets attack adjusted to the temperature. His good work saw Mirjan Pavlovic and Jason Naidovski-s quick shots on goal well saved.
As half time approached both teams- attack switched into high gear as Sydney had two late chances through Kerem Bulut, who couldn-t control Dimitrios Petratos- powerful cross. Chris Payne found himself unmarked in the box, but his free header was saved brilliantly by Kolak-s quick reactions.
The home side continued to push for a goal in the second half with Mitchell Prentice sending his shot from outside the box just wide of goal.
But it was the Jets who took their opportunities as Naidovski scored off a free kick, curling low and beating the wall.
Despite its attacking opportunities, Sydney was unlucky to go another goal down when Antony Golec deflected a Naidovski shot into his own net to give Newcastle a two-goal advantage.
Sydney pushed hard in the dying minutes but couldn-t find another goal to slump to their third straight loss.
“That-s too many games that we-ve lost,” said Munro. “Next week it-s got to change,” Munro said.
Sydney FC will hope to smash their losing streak next Saturday against the AIS here at the SFS.
Match Detail
Sydney FC 1(Matthew JURMAN 32-)
Newcastle Jets FC 3(Jesse PINTO 1-, Jason Naidovski 55-, Antony Golec OG 70-)
Sydney FC: 1. Nenad VEKIC (gk) (20. Mark PULLMAN 61-), 2. Matthew JURMAN, 3. Anotony GOLEC (c), 4. Mitchell Speer (15. Raymond MILLER 60-), 5. Mitchell PRENTICE (13. Joel CHIANESE 54-), 6. Chris PAYNE, 7. Dimitrios PETRATOS, 8. Sam MUNRO, 9. Kerim BULUT, 10. Adam CASEY, 17. Luke AUSTIN, 20. Mark PULLMAN (gk).
Substitutes Not Used: 14. Tim MCGOWAN (Late Withdrawal).
Yellow Cards: nil.
Goals: Matthew JURMAN 32-.
Newcastle Jets FC: 1. Robbie KOLAK (gk), 2. Jason HOFFMAN, 3. Mario SIMIC (7. William ANGEL 63-), 4. Umut TOKOGAN, 5. Scott BALDERSON, 6. Taylor REGAN, 7. William ANGEL (14. Matthew SIM 58-), 9. Jason NAIDOVSKI, 10. Mirjan PAVLOVIC (12. Damian BROSQUE 60-), 11. Jesse PINTO, 13. Fabian IACOVELLI (8. Brodie MOOY 55-).
Substitutes Not Used: Jake PURCHES (GK)
Yellow Cards: Jesse Pinto (32-).
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: Jesse PINTO 1-, Jason Naidovski 55-, Antony Golec (OG) 70-.
Referee: Kris GRIFFITHS-JONES.
