Suncorp Stadium remains a happy hunting ground for the Newcastle Jets as they finished up 2 – 1 victors over the Brisbane Roar in Round 3.
In a game that had everything, it would be a Dimi Petratos super-strike (44’) that would be the difference, as the diminutive attacker beat Michael Theo from well outside the 18-yard box in what will go down as one of the goals of the year.
Despite the positive result on the scoresheet, the Jets’ win was soured by a serious injury to Venezuelan import, Ronald Vargas who went down after tangling awkwardly with Matt MacKay in the 58th minute.
The match started in blistering fashion as the Jets almost went ahead early; with Petratos putting in a length of the field effort on the counter as Vargas sent one wide of an unprotected goal.
But once again, it would be Roy O’Donovan who would find the back of the net (12’) to put the Jets in front as the Irishman bagged his fifth goal in just three appearances this season.
The Jets looked comfortable with their lead as the half progressed, and were unlucky not to be further in front when an own goal from Nigel Boogaard (42’) saw the home side find parity against the run of play.
Almost immediately, Dimi Petratos struck back as the Roar defence stood off the young gun, who made his former club pay.
Petratos wasn’t the only young Jet making his mark, as defender Ivan Vujica put in a man of the match performance with some enterprising play on the left in attack and strong defence as the Jets held the Roar scoreless in the second stanza.
That almost wasn’t the case, as Roar striker Massimo Maccarone found the back of the net in the 69th minute only to have the decision overturned by the VAR for offside.
The referee would have a busy afternoon, as bookings were dished out to Katarovski, Brown, O’Donovan and Vujica with tensions rising as the match progressed.
Despite some further opportunities to draw level, the Jets held tough to secure the three points in what was a dramatic and gritty second stanza.
The moments:
2’ | 0 – 0 | CHANCE! Vargas misses an opportunity to goal early as Petratos causes havoc on the counter! #BRIvNEW
11’ | 1 – 0 | GOOALLL! Roy O’Donovan you star! Great assist from Vujica as the Irishman makes it 5 goals in 3 appearances #BRIvNEW
24’ | 1 – 0 | CHANCE! Nabbout plays advantage and has his chance blocked #BRIvNEW
32’ | 1 – 0 | CHANCE! A pin-point cross from Petratos causes havoc for the Roar #BRIvNEW
38’ | 1 – 0 | CHANCE! Vargas has a strong shot saved by Theo – sharp work from the Brisbane custodian #BRIvNEW
39’ | 1 – 0 | The VAR clears a contentious hand ball from Jade North #BRIvNEW
42’ | 1 – 1 | An own goal from Boogaard brings the home side back into this one #BRIvNEW
43’ | 2 – 1 | GOAL! Wow, brilliant strike from Petratos. What. A. Goal #BRIvNEW
57’ | 2 – 1 | CHANCE! Vargas with a stellar touch as Nabbout puts it just wide, Jets pressing here at Suncorp #BRIvNEW
58’ | 2 – 1 | Concern here for Ronald Vargas as the Venezuelan is stretchered off with what appears to be a serious injury #BRIvNEW
69’ | 2 – 2 | Goal to Maccarone as the home side draw level #BRIvNEW
69’ | 2 – 1 | The VAR has overruled the on-field ref and the Jets’ lead remains #BRIvNEW
76’ | 2 – 1 | Wayne Brown on his final warning after another tough challenge from the midfielder #BRIvNEW
90’ | 2 – 1 | Fourth Official indicates there will be 8 minutes of stoppage time #BRIvNEW
90+2’ | 2 – 1 | Great save from Jack Duncan as Brisbane continue to attack #BRIvNEW
Ground: Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 10, 104
Referee: Matthew Conger
Brisbane Roar: 1.Michael THEO (gk), 3.Luke DEVERE, 5.Corey BROWN, 6.Avram PAPADOPOULOS, 9.Massimo MACCARONE, 10.Brett HOLMAN, 13.Jade NORTH, 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 17.Matt MCKAY (c), 18.Joe CALETTI, 22.Eric BAUTHEAC.
Subs: 16.Mitchell OXBORROW, 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 33.Petros SKAPETIS
Subs Not Used: 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 16.Mitchell OXBORROW
Yellow Cards: Brown (26’)
Red Cards: N/A
Goals: Boogaard (42’) OG
Newcastle Jets:
1. Jack DUNCAN, 4. Nigel BOOGAARD, 5. Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 7. Dimi PETRATOS, 8. RONALD VARGAS, 9. Roy O’DONOVAN, 13. Ivan VUJICA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 17. Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY
Subs: 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 10.Wayne BROWN, 16.Nick COWBURN, 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 24.Joe CHAMPNESS
Subs Not Used: 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 20.Glen MOSS
Yellow Cards: Katarovski (9’), Brown (68’), O’Donovan (74’), Vujica (90+8’)
Red Cards: N/A
Goals: O’Donovan (12’), Petratos (44’)
