Melbourne City welcome the Newcastle Jets to AAMI Park on Thursday evening as Round 6 of the A-League kicks off. Join The Roar from 7:50pm for all the action with our live scores and blog.
John Van’t Schip’s Melbourne City side have had a strong start to their 2016/17 campaign, headlined largely by the return of Australia’s prodigal son, Tim Cahill.
The Melbournians’ momentum has halted somewhat in recent weeks, however, with losses to the Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar book-ending a 2-1 victory over Adelaide United.
After five rounds, City sit in third place on the ladder, with a goal difference bettered only by the rampant league leaders Sydney FC.
Their opponents this evening, the Newcastle Jets, have had an indifferent start to their season. A massive 4-0 victory over Brisbane Roar and a 2-2 draw with the Western Sydney Wanderers were soured by back-to-back defeats at home to Sydney and away in Wellington.
The Jets sit seventh as things stand, but their erratic form sees an upset look a real possibility as they make the trip to Melbourne.
The key players for the home side are, the usual suspects. Strikers Cahill and skipper Bruno Fornaroli have made a big difference in City’s early victories for side who shape as real title contenders this season. However, they will miss Luke Brattan dearly, with the key midfielder on international duty with the Socceroos.
The Jets have relied largely on the attacking threat provided by midfielder Andrew Hoole as well as the leadership of skipper Nigel Boogaard.
Prediction
City ($1.40) go into this game as unbackabale favourites, considering the class within their squad as well as their league standing this season. The Jets ($7.50) are considered seriously long shots to pull off an upset at AAMI Park.
Melbourne City 2-1 Newcastle Jets.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
That's not silverware winning material from City in the second half. It looked just plain lame. Could easily have been a draw. So next week we face WSW in Sydney. Well I just can't wait for that one :(
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
It looked as though City would run away with it early on, but the Jets hung in there and can be proud of their performance. A lot to work on in the week for John Van't Schip's Melbourne City side. Thanks for joining me for the opening clash of round 6 of the A-League season. I hope you enjoyed my coverage and enjoy the rest of the A-League round live on The Roar!
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Full Time: Melbourne City 2 Newcastle Jets 1 Well, a game of two halves. The exciting first 45 was followed by a second which turned into a boring affair with not a single clear cut chance for either side. The frenetic opening five minutes saw a vintage Cahill header saved by Jack Duncan as well as a Morten Nordstrand contender for miss of the season from point blank following some nice work by Andrew Hoole. The Bruno Fornaroli show was to follow as the Uruguayan strike a classy brace within 20 minutes. His first came following a nice cut in and chip from Fernando Brandan, finished off with a headed finish at the near post. While the second was the pick of the night, as Kamau darted down the right and delivered centrally for Fornaroli to volley home with a technically sound effort into the bottom corner. The Jets stole one back through Andrew Nabbout as his strike was deflected over Dean Bouzanis off the foot of Jakobsen. That was the final real chance of the evening. The second half was a real let down, as City dominated possession but didn't really impose themselves going forward. The Jets lost skipper Boogaard and finished the night with 10 men thanks to a collision with Brandan which injured the centre back after the Jets had used up all their permitted changes. Man of the Match: Bruno Fornaroli. Melbourne City 2-1 Newcastle Jets
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: City escape with the three points. Melbourne City 2 Newcastle Jets 1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+4' Hoole gets it forward down the right now, looked to take on Muscat and go one on one with Bouzanis. But Manny is up to the task and its out for a corner. Its whipped in again by Hoole, a great ball, it finds the head of Hoffman but he can't get it on target. Thus ends the crusafe of the Newcastle Jets. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+3' Its a nicely shaped ball in from Andrew Hoole but no one can get it under control. Cleared by City. Surely it's game over now?! 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+2' A freekick now for the Jets. Hoole will deliver from the right. Can he repeat his heroics from against the Wanderers?? 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
89' Jets go forward now through Devante Clut as they look to steal a late equaliser. There will be FOUR added minutes now... 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
89' Caceres dances around the penalty area before looking backwards. City look happy to move the ball around, utilising their extra man, to run down the clock. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
87' Confusion reigned there as Cahill failed to exit the pitch at the requested time... City playing with 12 ever so briefly... Also, Boogaard's booking was for dissent as he had words with the linesman over the throw in call. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
85' Hoole tries to burst down the line, but he was unable to keep the ball from going over the sideline. John Van't Schip will now look to his bench for the first time. OFF: Fernando Brandan, Tim Cahill ON: Nick Fitzgerald, Paulo Retre In the meantime, Nigel Boogaard has been booked from the substitutes bench...
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
82' Hard to see Newcastle coming back from here. Less than ten on the clock, down to ten men and without their captain. What a result it would be if they could steal a late equaliser though?! 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
81' Fornaroli holds it up on the edge of the area before teeing it up for Cahill. Timmy loads up but can only trickle his effort into the gloves of Duncan. In the meantime, Boogaard really wants to get back out there but is being told that it isn't a wise idea by the medical staff. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
80' Well, the Jets didn't need this. Their skipper adds to the list of centre backs and players on the sidelines for the Novocastrians. Hoffman will take his captain's spot in the centre for the rest of this evening. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
79' Well Boogaard is in some serious discomfit and his evening is over. The Jets have used all their permitted changes and they will finish the evening with 10 men. In the meantime, Brandan has returned to his feet and is ready to continue. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
77' Heavy collision between Boogaard and Brandan and both remain on the deck now. The Argentine tried to get in behind as Hoffman slid in to make the challenge. Leading him to collide with the Jets' skipper. Medical treatment for both players on the pitch now. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
77' Kilkenny with a little dink over the top for Kamau as the youngster looks to get in behind once again. Boogaard comes across to stamp out the danger and concede yet another corner. 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
75' The door is open for the Jets to snatch a point with 15 minutes on the clock here. City looked like they'd run away with it after the opening half hour but here we are at the conclusion of this contest and somehow they're still in this game... 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
75' A loose touch from Muscat turns the ball over to the Jets. This half hasn't quite had the excitement of the opening 45 minutes. City not really throwing anything forward, the Jets not looking like producing anything either... 2-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
73' Yellow Card! Osama Malik is shown the cheese now as the centre back collides fairly aggressively with Poljak. 2-1