It was a tough afternoon for the Jets down in Sydney, who went down to the Sky Blues after a late own goal in the first half.
There were opportunities scattered throughout for the Jets, who weren’t able to capitalise on the handful of half-chances which came their way.
The sense that an equaliser and potentially a winner was ever-present, even if things were dulled by a controversial red card with just over 15 minutes to go.
After a brilliant save from Glen Moss early on, both sides settled into the match and it was the Jets who had a couple of chances.
A spectacular ball from Johnny Koutroumbis almost saw Roy O’Donovan open the scoring but his touch took him away from goal, before a Jair cutback just minutes later was sent over the top from Steven Ugarkovic.
It was the Brazillian who almost opened the scoring with 31 minutes gone, after his cross was picked up by the wind and forced Andrew Redmayne to back-pedal and make the save.
Steven Ugarkovic cleared a shot off the line to deny Daniel De Silva, but disaster struck a minute before the half-time whistle when Nigel Boogaard turned in a precise Brendan O’Neill cross.
Keen to jump level, the Jets came out quickly in the second half against a Sydney side which seemed happy to retreat slightly.
After a handful of half chances, the Jets evening went from bad to worse when Jason Hoffman was shown what looked a soft red card for what the referee saw as a lash-out in the 73rd minute.
With ten men, Sydney were happy to control possession and the Jets were unable to break down a side was a man advantage. Glen Moss made a fantastic save in the 87th minute to deny Adam Le Fondre doubling Sydney’s advantage.
Attention will now quickly turn to Wednesday night in Newcastle, where the Jets have a golden chance to bounce back into form against the Central Coast Mariners.
