- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
A late Andrew Hoole goal has denied Western Sydney a victorious start to their stay at Spotless Stadium as plucky Newcastle held Tony Popovic’s men to a 2-2 A-League draw.
» Re-live all the action with our live blog
The Jets, buoyed by last weekend’s 4-0 shellacking of Brisbane, brought their improved attacking game to Sydney on Sunday in the hope of shocking last year’s grand finalists at their new temporary home ground.
The Wanderers very nearly got the job done in front of a vocal crowd of 13,247, via Aritz Borda’s header and a penalty goal by new club captain Dimas.
But Mark Jones’ improved squad dug in their heels to earn a valuable away point and reiterate they should not be taken lightly this season.
Jets skipper Nigel Boogaard pulled one back for the Jets with a free header in the 81st minute, his effort matched seven minutes later when former Sydney FC winger Hoole bent in a free-kick from outside the box that bounced past Wanderers goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
While looking well beaten for much of the second half, Newcastle had started brightly.
In-form Andrew Nabbout was a speedy outlet on the right wing while coach Mark Jones’ young back line started sturdily, 19-year-old Ivan Vujica thwarting the wriggling Jumpei Kusukami more than once.
In the end it was a momentary lapse that gifted the Wanderers the opening goal.
New captain Dimas sent a deep corner into the box for fellow Spaniard Borda to meet with a glancing header over the line that could have been avoided had a player guarded the back post.
Then, in the shadow of halftime, Steve Lustica chipped a ball into the path of Ben Kantarovski, who committed an obvious handball in the area, making way for Dimas to step up to the spot and send Jets custodian Jack Duncan the wrong way.
From there the Wanderers were quick to pounce on turnovers and made it tough for the Novocastrians to pass out of their own half.
The Jets suddenly then rediscovered their impetus, Devante Clut unsuccessfully attempting to lob Redmayne and Nabbout firing wide from the edge of the box.
In a massive blow, Nabbout appeared to badly hurt himself in his effort and was promptly subbed off to join injured teammate Lachlan Jackson on the sidelines.
Man-of-the-match Jumpei became more and more difficult to contain, at one point roasting three defenders and forcing one of several fine saves from Duncan.
But no one expected such a late comeback, delivered under pressure by Boogaard and Hoole.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.