The Newcastle Jets stunned the Brisbane Roar, winning 4-0 at home.
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Final score
Newcastle Jets 4
Brisbane Roar 0
The Newcastle Jets will do battle with a Brisbane Roar outfit looking to launch off their confidence-boosting draw in the opening round, as they make the trip to Newcastle this afternoon. Catch all the live scores and highlights on The Roar from 5pm (AEDT).
Brisbane scored off the last play of the game in injury time against Melbourne Victory last week to snatch a competition point late from the jaws of defeat, after struggling for most of the contest.
The Jets, on the other hand, kicked off their campaign with a huge performance against defending champions Adelaide United, also collecting a single point with a one-all draw at home.
New coach Mark Jones kicked off his Jets career well last week, but the tough introduction will continue this week against the Roar, who are undefeated against Newcastle from their last six encounters.
To add to that, the Jets have only won one of their last seven games and held just one clean sheet from their last 17 in the A-League, coming off the back of a disastrous 2015/16 season.
Not to be deterred though, the Jets can take comfort in knowing that Brisbane has struggled away from home in recent times, going winless in their last five games on the road.
Brisbane won just three of 14 away matches last season and will be out to rectify their poor form away from Suncorp this season.
Team News
Plenty of changes and alterations on both sides of the park as the two coaches take extended squads to be shortened on matchday.
For the home side, Newcastle will be without Dan Mullen who went off during the second half last week with a knee injury and is waiting for scan results to know the extent, but he’s expected to miss up to three months.
Defender Jason Hoffman and striker Aleksandr Kokko will also miss out with calf and Achilles injuries respectively but are expected to return within the next two weeks.
Mateo Poljak and Morten Nordstrand come into the squad after missing the first week under a fitness cloud, while Mitch Cooper gets a promotion into the extended squad.
For the Roar, coach John Aloisi will be without skipper Matt McKay after the 33-year old was shown a red card during the draw against Victory last week.
Nathan Konstandopoulos, Nick D’Agostino and Mark Rodic have all been brought into the squad by Aloisi for this afternoon’s fixture.
Prediction
The Jets surprised a lot of people last week with their performance against Adelaide to take an early lead and hold the defending champs to a draw.
While probably not the toughest road trip in the A-League, Brisbane is still faced with an away game that causes some issues for them.
This one might be a sluggish affair and it will be hard to separate the two sides that are in very different stages at the moment.
If there was to be a winner, Newcastle could get the job done at home off some confident form, but I think this one will be a draw in a grinding contest.
1-1 draw
Connor Bennett
Editor
You mentioned a lack of urgency. I think that was really what hurt them today. They just didn't look interested for the most part, and their effort left a lot be desired in attack.
jamesb
Guest
What is going on with the A League? Another team puts 4 in the back of the net. Lopsided results already. The 4-0 scoreline is becoming common. But well done Jets. We need a strong Jets side.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME Peter Green blows the final whistle and it's the home side Newcastle that take the points with what turned out to be a dominant victory for the Jets. Brisbane didn't play awfully bad, but they were simply outplayed and the Roar just couldn't take advantage of their chances and the Jets made them pay for it. Newcastle have had a very strong start to the season after a very disappointing last year, piling on four goals in one game after being the lowest scoring side in that aforementioned last season. Newcastle Jets – 4 Brisbane Roar – 0
Bfc
Guest
Roar were so poor. Kudos to the Jets for scoring so many goals, but JA has some issues to deal with. DeVere had a poor game (his poor pass led to the opening goal..), Brown once again caught out of position once the Jets countered on their right, and Pepper's passing out of the midfield was simple not up to scratch. Playing two holding MFs (Kristensen and Pepper has not worked...) as the transition passing was pedestrian...McLaren got little service. And the lack of urgency is a real concern...can't just rock up and expect the opponent to gift you the result...
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 Going through the processes now for both sides. Brisbane certainly don't want to concede another goal this late in the contest. Newcastle Jets – 4 Brisbane Roar – 0
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Holy Heck, Aloisi must be shaking in his pants. I believe there are some pre-loved "Aloisi OUT" banners down here in Melbourne if required.
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 minutes of stoppage time Newcastle Jets – 4 Brisbane Roar – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide... sorry. I got carried away with Queen
Connor Bennett
Editor
87' GOAL NEWCASTLE JETS!!! Salt to the wound by the Jets and Brisbane have been taken to town. The Roar just contnue to make errors, and the Jets pounce on it. Nabbout is released down the right side on the counter attack with far too much time and space on his hands. He happily takes it inside the box where he has a two on one approaching the keeper. A simple pass across the face of goal to Clut and he just dribbles it into an open goal without a defender in sight. Newcastle Jets – 4 Brisbane Roar – 0
AZ_RBB
Guest
Is this real life?
Connor Bennett
Editor
84' The result has been accepted by both sides by the looks of it and the ball is really just being knocked around to kill time. Brisbane have plenty to play for and will be looking to take some kind of confidence into their next game. Newcastle Jets – 3 Brisbane Roar – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
82' Newcastle again on the counter attack. They've really used that to their advantage today, but much like Brisbane, they just haven't used it as well as they could have. The ball once again is turned over and the Roar look to clear. Newcastle Jets – 3 Brisbane Roar – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' Broich asking questions deep inside the Jets half. He's up inside the box now... but his own team mates are getting in the way!! The Roar just can't seem to sort themselves out this afternoon and they['re paying for it on the scoreboard. Newcastle Jets – 3 Brisbane Roar – 0
Swanny
Guest
At the game today. Brisbane have had heaps of possession but look timid .. The jets on the counter are looking awesome .. Come on u jets
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' Brisbane are trying to work out of their own half, but Newcastle are just right on top now, barely giving them an inch as they press the defence back towards the keeper. Newcastle Jets – 3 Brisbane Roar – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
77' Devante Clut is taken down and the Jets win a penalty within shooting range. Interestingly there haven't been any bookings in this game. A bit of a rarity in football. Newcastle Jets – 3 Brisbane Roar – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
75' A corner coming up for the Jets and the home fans are really getting behind this now. They're looking far removed from the shocking year they had last season. Newcastle Jets – 3 Brisbane Roar – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
74' Newcastle once again finding so much space all over the place. Brisbane are really struggling to find their feet and get a run of play going. Newcastle Jets – 3 Brisbane Roar – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
71' Scratch that... Newcastle are in again!! GOAL NEWCASTLE JETS!! Brisbane had covered the Jets attack, but the attempted clearance left a lot to be desired and it just popped the football high up in the air. It came down for Ugarkovic a few yards outside of the box. He trapped it, settled... then fired off the shot through traffic, beating the diving Roar keeper and into the bottom right-hand side of the goal. The Roar shouldn't have let that goal in but they've made a mess of it and Newcastle are happy to take the advantage. Surely this will be an unassailable lead for the home side. Newcastle Jets – 3 Brisbane Roar – 0