The crisis-stricken Newcastle Jets have slumped to new depths after an injury-time own-goal relegated them to a 2-1 A-League loss to the Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium.
Just when it looked like the Jets would give their fans a glimmer of hope, the Roar hit the front on Friday night in the 93rd minute.
A Thomas Broich corner deflected into the back of the net off Allan Welsh, who had come onto the ground just seconds earlier.
For the Roar, it was their second win in a row in stoppage time, while for the Jets, it capped a week from hell and they remain second last with just a one win from this campaign.
The Jets had the better of the early going and should have gone up in the second minute when Edson Montano found himself alone in the box but his header bounced off the crossbar.
But after enduring a week of internal turmoil, the Jets went into the break down 1-0.
Newcastle had the better of the chances, however it was Brisbane who seized their opportunities with Jean Carlos Solorzano heading home a simple opportunity from a Broich corner for the first goal in the 36th minute.
Mitch Cooper had a pair of chances either side of halftime but was denied by some brilliant work from Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo on both occasions.
A minute after Cooper’s 54th-minute header was desperately punched away by Theo, Jets coach Phil Stubbins pulled him from the field.
But what looked to be a massive blunder turned out to be a masterstroke as Radovan Pavicevic – who came on for Cooper – evened up the ledger in the 71st when he took advantage of a Corey Brown defensive blunder.
However just when it looked as if the Jets would take something from the contest, the Roar pulled it out of the bag.
Stubbins was booed as he walked from the pitch but he described the result as a step in the right direction following their 7-0 loss to Adelaide the previous round.
“From last weeks’s performance to this one, it was a massive improvement,” Stubbins said.
“It seems to be the story of our campaign to date – the boys, to a man, put in a solid shift.
“We got some pride back, a bit of redemption.
“We were very, very unfortunate to lose it in the way we did.”
Roar coach Frans Thijssen said despite taking the three points, he was disappointed with his troops compared to the performance they put on in their win over Wellington the previous week.
“We know (the Jets) have some problems but we told them it could be an advantage because they have new players and they want to fight for the coach,” he said.
“It looked like it because they were fighting all over the place in the first half and they couldn’t get through.
“And when they go one behind, you hope their heads go down and it will be easier for us in the second half.
“But, in the end, we didn’t create a lot in the second half and we were very lucky with that last-minute goal.”
Bondy
Guest
I've watched better matches in the FFA Cup than this , on all fronts ? .
The Bear
Guest
Yep guys. I am sure I wasn't the only one watching that last play of the game that wondered "what the hell? Is he (Stubbins) making a sub? AND it's a defender replacement??!" Lol. Seriously.
RIP_Enke
Guest
@Griff, he probably should have got the call up when he wasn't allowed to play, but he has been very good at the moment and it might be better for him to stay there at the moment. He only has an interest in the green and gold, so he seems to be locked in!
Realfootball
Guest
Stubbins' last sub was one of the most stupid coaching decisions I have seen in a long time.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I hope de Neise gets a call up for the Olyroos. Such close technical skill for the NT is still priceless.
Waz
Guest
Agreed. He's coming along nicely, still underdone but give him two years
Waz
Guest
So agree with your comments! This is where we are missing Berisha - not his goals but he would regularly drop back to provide a forward passing option or make a diagonal run that did the same. That's what we've missed - not his 11 goals and zero assists!
Towser
Guest
Stubbins fadida, post match summing up. straight out of the English football manager after match interview manual.
Senator RY
Guest
that Borello kid looks to have a bright future ahead of him, will be interesting to see where his development is at in 2 years time.
fadida
Guest
The only way Stubbins can surprise me will be if he he's even worse than I fear. And if he stops using Stubbins-speak - moving forward, good shift, boys became men, putting processes in place, pride in the shirt, passion, ran their socks off etc. He's spent all of his coaching career building up a portfolio of cliches, sadly at the expense of learning how to coach. Oh and tactics!
RIP_Enke
Guest
When you have the likes of Gavin de Nisse making headway at River Plate and getting good plaudits from the coaching staff, Bratten is no where near the national team. The Jets looked a lot better, obviously working on defensive play and transition, whilst still creating a couple of chances against a lackluster Roar. Agree Stubbins making that sub was silly, but the work in progress is there I guess, as long as there is steady improvement from here on in, Jets fans should be happy.
Towser
Guest
Brattan in reality Realfootball is neither dynamic enough on one hand nor to make up for lack of dynamism,skilful enough on the other , to play the sort of football we expect from The Roar. If Ange ever looks twice at him he'll be lucky
Griffo
Roar Guru
Jets playing 'valiantly' still feels like a backhanded compliment but after what has gone on that may not be a bad thing. Plenty written earlier in the season about the side dropping points at the death by not holding on to a lead. You hear about not subbing juniors on while they are defending, so the obvious ploy of stifling Brisbane at the death backfired. While working in defensive structures after AUFC's 7-0 is sound, concentration may still be an issue. Brisbane did not play well last night, just as the Jets didn't play well against Adelaide, nor Brisbane when we lost 4-0 at home. However, Stubbins pumping players into midfield in a 4-5-1 in defense helped, like the win over Adelaide, to give more bodies around the ball and stifle Roars midfield a bit. We still turned over the ball too easily at times (as did Roar) and still have work to do on decision making in final third. But just like the Adelaide win, will Stubbins chop and change again or go for some stability and hope some points may inject some confidence into the side? With a battle to avoid the wooden spoon, I hope it's the later.
Towser
Guest
Yes jb Thijssen mentioned something to the effect of " yes we have no Messi's " in the team after the match,so he definitely knows the score regarding player quality,however we could at least have shown some of the "Industry" you mentioned that Caravella had. This possession/penetration business is not new at the Roar as you indicate and indeed Broich gave a clear example the other night against Wellington with his defence splitting forward pass to Borello,which the lad promptly tucked away. Indeed Polenz with his direct long forward cross to Solorzano for the Costa Rican to pop in was penetration in it's non Barca old fashioned way. The problem( back and sideward passing ) has existed at the Roar a lot longer than Waz's list above,in fact right back to the Ange days. When we had the losing streak of 5 matches after the Aussie club record business It, possession but lack of penetration, was prevalent then. I'm wondering if it's at times a cop out after some success,yes we're following instructions regarding keeping possession, but to do any more means as you indicate the players further up the field have to actually run a bit on or off the ball. Amazing to me that despite the changing of coaches at the Roar it's still not sorted.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Agree Hoole stood out last night. Kept thinking just enjoy this while he isn't wearing sky blue.
Realfootball
Guest
I am not even convinced that Brattan is all that much of an A League player, to be frank. His limitations are on display more and more. On the Jets - some good signs. Who knows? Perhaps Stubbins may surprise you. That last substitution was a terrible mistake, however, and cost the game. Ludicrous coaching decision.
fadida
Guest
Roar were dire. Sarota is coming back from injury, which may explain his nothingness. Bratten is showing why he won't make the step up. Sloooooow. He looks heavy. Mooy has flown beyond him
Waz
Guest
Uncle - I agree with you on our performance, not only was it poor that night against MV it was deliberately poor as we wasted time and slowed the game down. My "could have" assertion comes not from what we deserved of how we played but in the end it was a soft own goal close to full time that undid us - we weren't good enough that night nor on the five occasions I listed as well, last night and four nights ago v Wellington we managed to be good enough.
fadida
Guest
Hoole has been in brilliant form recently. I'd love to see him under the right coach. Enjoy him SFC :(
fadida
Guest
Stubbins can talk about being "very very unlucky", but he had an abject Roar side for the taking in the last half hour. Rather than make changes to win the game he left it until the last 5 minutes to make changes, aimed at winding down the clock. Again they were home to a poor side - aiming to draw. He makes a sub in extra time, a defensive sub, when defending a free in a dangerous area. Said sub then scores the match deciding own goal with his first touch. You could see it coming! You make your own luck. Poor tactical decision making from Stubbins cost the game. What could have been a win became a defeat. This is what coaches are paid for.