Sydney FC have made the records books, closing their home-and-away season with a two-goal win over the Newcastle Jets.
Final score
Sydney FC 2
Newcastle Jets 0
Top takes on bottom as Sydney FC host the Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium. Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEST) for live scores and for heated discussion in our live blog!
Its been a fairytale season for Sydney FC… the same can’t really be said for their opponents this afternoon – the Newcastle Jets.
Earlier in the season, the Jets were looking solid. Heading towards a potential top six finish and looking as though their fortunes were finally turning around. However, lately it has been an absolute nightmare run for the Novocastrians, who haven’t been in the winners circle since Round 18! Their last victory came as they bested Melbourne City 2-1 on January 27.
Contrastingly, Sydney have not been beaten since Round 20 – when the Sky Blues succumbed to their first derby defeat to the Wanderers in over 1000 days. Since then, they’ve been in devastating form and it seems as though no one can stop them.
This match takes on a slightly different meaning for each of these sides. The Sky Blues’ minor premiership victory was wrapped up weeks ago, however, a win here would see them break the Brisbane Roar’s record points total for a single season.
On the other hand a win for the Jets could see them avoid taking the wooden spoon back to Newcastle – providing Adelaide or the Central Coast slip up.
Historically, the Jets stand little chance of an upset victory here. Sydney have emerged victorious over Newcastle in each of their last seven meetings, while they’re undefeated in the last 12 meetings – keeping 10 clean sheets in that time!
Their form lines couldn’t be more juxtaposed, while the stats continue to weigh heavily against the Jets, including the fact that they have failed to keep a single clean sheet away from home this season.
Sydney FC will welcome back choice central midfield duo Josh Brillante and Brandon O’Neill – who both missed last week’s draw with the Wellington Phoenix through suspension, while Sky Blues fans will also be hoping midfield dynamo Milos Ninkovic makes a return from injury.
Its a seemingly insurmountable task for the Jets at Allianz on Saturday afternoon. Sydney have been far too good for everyone else of late and the exact opposite can be said of their opponents.
Prediction:
Sydney FC 4-0 Newcastle Jets
Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEST) for live scores and to participate in our live blog.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me for this final round clash between Sydney FC and the Newcastle Jets. Be sure to keep up with the rest of The Roar's A-League coverage as finals spots are decided. Enjoy the rest of your Saturday night!
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Sydney FC 2-0 Newcastle Jets It wasn't as cruisy as many would have thought, but Sydney FC have gotten the job done against the Jets to clinch the A-League all time point scoring record. The Jets were consigned to the wooden spoon despite some promising signs in a first half where they spurned the best chance of the opening 45. Andrew Nabbout stepped up to the penalty spot after Andrew Hoole was felled by Rhyan Grant, but the pressure was too much for the winger as he shanked his penalty high and wide of the top right corner. It was scoreless at the break despite Nabbout's miss as well as Alex Wilkinson's crossbar clattering header. Following the break, things started slowly but Sydney eventually showed the type of attacking play that sees them go down as the A-League's most dominant team. Milos Ninkovic drew first blood for the premiers following some nice work by Bobo and Rhyan Grant, it was Filip Holosko who played the final pass which saw the Serbian stab home from close range to give his side the lead. The lead was doubled late by captain Alex Brosque, who iced the cake with a stunning close range volleyed finish following a marvellous Brandon O'Neill cross which was flicked on by substitute David Carney. The final whistle blew not long after and Sydney and the Cove celebrate a wonderful season. The premiers plate presentation follows as the Sky Blues celebrate before reverting their focus back to football and the finals. They've got two weeks off now and will face off for a spot in the grand final the next time they take to the park.
Swanny
Guest
Thank god that season is over for Newcastle
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: The Sky Blues too strong for the Jets, who will claim the third wooden spoon in their history. Sydney FC claim the record of highest points total in an A-League season - and they will shortly be presented with the premiers plate in front of their adoring fans at Allianz Stadium. SYDNEY FC 2-0 NEWCASTLE JETS
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+5' GREAT SAVE FROM VUKOVIC! His first of the afternoon following a nice effort from range. That will be all she wrote though! 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+3' The Cove cheering with all their might now - knowing full well that they are just 90 seconds away from watching their men lift the Premiers Plate aloft! 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+2' A long throw from Rhyan Grant beats everyone and is claimed by Duncan. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+1' Well, the people of Newcastle are no stranger to the spoon - across a number of codes of late. It could spell trouble for coach Mark Jones, who may not be in his current role much longer judging on results. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90' Hoffman swings one in now down the other end and its claimed by Vukovic. The Jets will grab their third wooden spoon at the end of added time - which will be 4 minutes! 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
89' Well, history has been made. Sydney FC will finish season 2016/17 with the highest regular season A-League points total of all time. And what better man to finish it off than their captain Alex Brosque, who banged in his 11th of the campaign. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
87' BROSQUE! THE CAKE HAS BEEN ICED! 2-0! Well, wonderful work from Grant and O'Neill out on the right. O'Neill chipped it into the middle, before Carney flicked on for his captain at the far post who puts the icing on the cake with a classy volleyed finish from close range! SYDNEY FC 2-0 NEWCASTLE JETS
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
86' So Bobo and Janko tie as the most prolific Sydney FC strikers in the regular season - they haven't had a bad run with marquee men lately have they, the Sky Blues? In the meantime, the Premiers Plate is out of its box and ready to be presented to the home side after the final whistle. 1-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Congratulations to Labinot Haliti who takes to the park for the 100th time in a Newcastle Jets jersey. In the meantime, its a final change for the Sky Blues. Substitution: OFF: Bobo ON: Simon
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
84' Bouncing ball outside the Jets defencive area as Bernie Ibini puts his body in... and gives away a freekick. Substitution: OFF: UGARKOVIC ON: HALITI
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
82' A mistake from Jackson as Brosque wins it and sets up a one on one with Duncan. The Sydney skipper takes his time and attempts to round the keeper but he's held it too long as Mullen sprints back to save his centre back partner some humiliation. 1-0 it remains somehow. Brosque really should have iced the cake there.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
81' Hoffman swings the ball in for the Jets, and its headed away by Rhyan Grant. But only as far as Vujica, who lets fly but its well wide of Vukovic's goal. 1-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
80' Just 10 minutes left of the Jets season now. Do they have anything in the tank? Can they produce a final flurry to break their five-game goal drought? 1-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
80' Ibini backs into Hoffman and the latter commits yet another foul. Somehow still avoids a booking... 1-0
Swanny
Guest
Kantaroski dishing out a challenge that Sydney Fc. Ryan grant does every week.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
77' Hoffman takes down Zullo off the ball now. Not sure how he hasn't been booked yet... its been a string of poor challenges from him. 1-0