Newcastle Jets’ A-League Men finals hopes have been dealt a mortal blow in a dramatic 3-2 loss to Western Sydney Wanderers.
Wanderers initially looked comfortable after early strikes from Steven Ugarkovic, Jake Rodwell, and Ramy Najjarine put them 3-0 up on Wednesday night but they were forced to fend off a desperate Jet fightback.
REACTION: ‘IT’S CRIPPLED THEIR CAMPAIGN’: THE 22 MINUTES EXPOSING JETS’ FATAL FLAW
Their season on the line at CommBank Stadium, Jason Hoffman netted in the 67th minute to make it 3-1, before Samuel Silvera reduced the deficit further in the 76th.
But heartbreakingly for the Novocastrians, that was where it ended.
Rather than closing the gap on the top six, the Jets’ lead over Wanderers has now evaporated and they sit level in ninth and 10th on the table on 25 points – seven adrift of sixth-placed Macarthur FC with four games to play.
The Jets face rivals Central Coast on Saturday while the Wanderers can derail another finals push when they travel to New Zealand to take on Wellington Phoenix.
Flicking on James Troisi’s volleyed effort in the sixth minute, Ugarkovic got proceedings off strongly for his side.
Feasting on woeful Jets defending, Rodwell headed home at the near post from a Troisi corner to make it two in the 18th before Najjarine dinked a delightful effort over Jack Duncan in the 21st for the third Wanderers goal.
But let off the hook by two disallowed Rodwell goals, the Jets showed spirit in the second half and dragged a goal back when Hoffman’s pressure induced an error from keeper Daniel Margush in the 67th that allowed him to tap home.
Tension ratcheted up even further nine minutes later when Silvera, introduced as a second-half substitute, latched onto a Hoffman cross to volley home and make it 3-2.
Yet despite their best efforts, the Jets eventually fell to a defeat that all but dooms their finals hopes.
RE-LIVE: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 3-2 NEWCASTLE JETS, AS IT HAPPENED
By Matt Comito for KEEPUP
The Jets came home with genuine momentum, but a torrid start to the first half from the away side is the difference at full-time as the Wanderers emerge with a 3-2 win at CommBank Stadium.
75′: GOAL! Silvera sets up grandstand finish (3-2)
Samuel Silvera has emerged off Newcastle’s bench to score his side’s second of the night, as the Jets surge back into the contest with two quick-fire goals.
68′: GOAL! Hoffman pegs one back (3-1)
Jason Hoffman gives the Jets life at CommBank Stadium after Daniel Margush flapped at a high ball dropping inside his own box, allowing the Newcastle veteran to swoop in and tuck the ball into an unguarded net.
The Wanderers were adamant Hoffman had fouled Margush on his way up to collect the ball, but the VAR saw no reason to overturn the on-field decision.
62′: OFFSIDE! Rodwell scores again – but VAR intervenes (3-0)
It appeared Rodwell had put the final nail in Newcastle’s coffin with his second of the night, driving a low strike off the leg of Duncan into the bottom-right corner of goal, only for VAR to rule out the Wanderers’ fourth with Keanu Baccus straying offside as a cross from the right flank made its way into his path in the box.
60′: CHANCE! Lopane shoots, Duncan saves (3-0)
Lopane was inches away from his maiden A-League Men’s goal, dragging the ball back to create space in the box before striking toward the top-right corner, only for Duncan to tip the ball away for a corner.
46′: SECOND HALF (3-0)
Lucas Mauragis replaces Brandon Wilson at the break as the Jets look for a lift, trailing the Wanderers by three goals to nil as the second half begins.
HALF-TIME: WANDERERS 3-0 JETS
Rodwell put the ball in Newcastle’s net again just before the half-time whistle, only for an offside call to deny the Wanderers a fourth goal at CommBank Stadium.
Instead, the hosts take a three-goal lead into the break, with Newcastle’s finals hopes fading by the minute.
“It’s awesome to finally see what we can do when we’re all switched on,” Najjarine told Paramount+ on his way into the sheds.
22′: GOAL! Wanderers tearing Jets apart (3-0)
It’s another for the Wanderers as Najjarine gets in on the act, and the Wanderers carve out a three-goal lead at CommBank Stadium.
“Newcastle’s finals dreams are being dashed in a storm of goals here,” said Paramount+ commentator Robbie Thomson as Najjarine wheeled away in celebration, after lofting his close-range effort over Duncan.
“They’re living in a nightmare at the moment,” added co-commentator Georgia Yeoman-Dale.
18′: GOAL! Rodwell doubles the lead (2-0)
The Jets are all at sea at CommBank Stadium!
Jack Rodwell gets the home side’s second goal, rising above Angus Thurgate and Jordan Elsey to head Troisi’s perfectly placed corner past Duncan at the near post.
13′: SAVE! Duncan stands tall (1-0)
Somehow the Wanderers fail to double their advantage as Ramy Najjarine directs his close-range strike directly into the path of Duncan stood helpless on Newcastle’s goal line.
It was Traore once again causing the danger down the left flank, getting toward the byline before picking out Najjarine with a low cross. Najjarine looked certain to score if he directed his shot either side of Duncan.
6′: GOAL! Ugarkovic helps Troisi strike into the back of the net (1-0)
What a start by the home side!
Adama Traore’s run into the box and deflected shot fell to the feet of James Troisi, who drove his shot on goal – only to see his effort flick off Steven Ugarkovic on its way past Duncan to give the Wanderers the lead.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We are underway at CommBank Stadium.
Alessandro Lopane gets the hosts on the front foot early with an early strike, easily claimed by Jack Duncan.
TEAM NEWS
LISTEN BELOW: Former A-Leagues marquee player Emile Heskey is our very special guest on this week’s episode of My Football Passport, with James Dodd.
