Wellington Phoenix host the Newcastle Jets today in the last match of A-League Round One. Join The Roar from 5:00pm (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
The Jets travel to Westpac Stadium in Wellington where they’ll face a big ask to overcome the Phoenix who are looking to improve on their fourth-placed finish last year, and want to start their campaign off well.
The Jets finished dead last in the 2014-15 season with just three wins to their name for the year, and while they’ll definitely want to make some strides from that, they’re up against it to start of the season in good form.
In the absence of their prolific marquee man Nathan Burns, Wellington have been the source of much attention regarding whether or not they can maintain and build on last season’s success. The only real question on everyone’s mind is where will the goals come from?
The Phoenix know how to play football, and may even be the most entertaining side in the A-League, though without Burns up front creating and scoring goals, they may struggle.
Jeffrey Sarpong is the man Ernie Merrick has put his trust in to replace Burns, though the former Eredivise attacker is largely unproven in this league and may take time to adjust.
And against Newcastle Jets is probably one of the easier matches to help Sarpong adjust, as the Northern NSW side have struggled to add enough depth in the off-season to suggest any massive changes will occur.
Nigel Boogaard is the big mover for Newcastle, though an uninspiring midfield may again be the downfall of the Jets.
Making it even more difficult for the Jets is the overwhelming statistics of previous encounters between these two sides.
In the 25 matches between the two teams Wellington have won 15, and Newcastle winning 6, with 4 draws. The Phoenix are clearly the dominant side and this fixture, and I don’t see Newcastle’s fortunes changing in this match.
Prediciton: Expect Wellington to play an attractive brand of football, with Albert Riera and Michael McGlinchey featuring prominently down the middle of the park. 3-0 to Wellington
Tired
Guest
The biggest thing holding the A-League back is the standard of journalism, from those who make their living off the back of the competition. The standard of commentary is pathetic, so much so that I have asked FOX to provide a variation whereby we get the video plus background noise but no commentary. I currently watch the A-League (every Game) with the sound turned off. How Harper or Ned Zelic got jobs is beyond me, whilst both might know a thing or two about football, neither make the game day experience better for the viewer. To increase Viewer or Reader numbers it is obvious you need to fill a need, just giving ex socceroos a job does not cut it. Far too many opinions about who should have done what or what so and so was thinking instead of just commentating on the game. Tell us what DID happen not what YOU THINK SHOULD have happened. Too often the commentary is biased towards one of the teams rather than an unbiased reporting on the match. Its more about highlighting their own profile than that of the A-League.
Bondy
Guest
The resurrection of one D Carney, mazing ...
Griffo
Roar Guru
Oh yeah!
Fadida
Guest
Woo hoo!
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Full Time - The Newcastle Jets have beaten the odds in overcoming Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand tonight; only the third time they've done so in 11 attempts. David Carney made all the difference in a match that was largely dominated by the Phoenix, with a well taken header to open the scoring, before then providing an inch-perfect assist for Trifunovic. Wellington scored through Bonevacia in the first half, and will be extremely disappointed with the result. None more so than Roy Krishna, who missed a penalty early in the second half. Ernie Merrick has some work to do to help his team create goal-scoring chances from the large amount of possession they have. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90+2 - Four minutes of stoppage time. Ball swung in from deep and Birighitti saves easily. It's all so predictable from Wellington. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90 - Somehow Wellington are still trailing! Newcastle's defence did well to clear that as Birighitti made several saves including a fantastic stop against Lia. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
88 - Bonevacia loses possession poorly. No cohesion in the final third, but an entertaining match nonetheless Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
87 - Bonevacia earns a corner. Hoffman clears, and Riera's shot from outside the box is well over the crossbar. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
86 - Bonevacia to Mcglinchey, but the creative midfielder cannot keep the ball. No chances created yet for Wellington, we're stil waiting despite all this possession. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
84 - Strong goalkeeping from Birighitti who is caught by Sarpong in his scramble to the ball. Rodriguez put in a fantastic cross that was pulling away from Birighitti. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
82 - Alivodic crosses to the back post, and Haliti has the chance to score with his first touch, but couldn't beat Doyle to the ball. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
80 - Newcastle wasting time now - they just want the points. Leonardo makes way for Haliti. Interesting choice from Scott Miller - he has lost a defender and yet puts a attacking player on for an attacking player. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
79 - Doyle gets high up the park and looks to cross the ball from the left. He was unlucky though to lose possession as his cross hit him and went behind. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
78 - Krishna had skipped past Boogaard, and the Jets captain brought him down with his arms all over him. Deserved the yellow and he has now put his side in a very difficult position with 12 minutes to play. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
77 - Well Krishna won't be happy about missing that penalty at the moment, but Merrick looks even less impressed. Wellington have had all the ball tonight. BOOGAARD SECOND YELLOW! Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
76 - Sarpong looks to play in McGlinchey, but the pass is far too heavy. Just not working for them since the changes. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
75 - Rodriguez make his way on for Wellington. I'm not sure more creativity it what they need - they need a finisher. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
74 - Newcastle looking that little bit more lively. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets
James Anderson
Roar Guru
72 - Carney received the ball on the right, and brought the ball back onto his left, driving a neat cross to the back post where Trifunovic simply had to tap the ball in for the lead. Great assist. Wellington Phoenix 1-2 Newcastle Jets