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A sixth minute goal from Korean midfielder Jin-Hyung Song helped Newcastle Jets end a three-game losing run on Monday, the visitors gaining a 1-1 draw with Adelaide United.
The 22-year-old’s clinical, early strike proved barely enough as United surged back after half time to equalise through Brazilian midfielder Cassio after captain Travis Dodd had missed a 58th minute penalty.
Adelaide looked headed for a third home loss in just six games this season after Jets keeper Ben Kennedy brilliantly parried Dodd’s spot kick to his left after Lujbo Milicevic had upended Adelaide midfielder Lucas Pantelis.
But Cassio provided the touch of class when needed, volleying home brilliantly from the edge of the penalty with the outside of his left foot into the top corner in the 76th minute to electrify the 12,090 fans.
Song ran onto a cross from Adam D’Apuzzo, who had dispossessed Dodd on the left, and slotted his third goal of the season, low across keeper Eugene Galekovic.
The goal vindicated coach Branko Culina’s tactics to field an attacking line-up away from home, pairing freshly signed, ex-Leeds striker Michael Bridges with Labinot Haliti up front as well as Iraqi winger Ali Abbas for his run on debut.
It paid dividends throughout the first half as Newcastle constantly won possession around Adelaide’s penalty area and kept the nervous home defence on the backfoot.
Galekovic also had to deal with shots on target from Haliti and Song before the interval though former Reading striker Lloyd Owusu gave the Reds hope with a downward header in the 41st minute that bounced over the crossbar.
Adelaide clicked up the pressure after half time and Cassio crossed low for Pantelis as he was fouled by a late, lunging Milicevic to earn the spot kick.
But Dodd’s dirty afternoon got worse as his placed spot kick was kept out by Kennedy.
Owusu headed just wide in the 69th minute before Cassio swerved the equaliser from 15 metres out after a poor Newcastle clearance.
Substitute Matthew Leckie hit the side netting in the 79th minute for Adelaide before Bridges was foiled by Galekovic close to goal a minute later as Adelaide stayed in touch with the top four despite dropping home points again.
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