The Wanderers and Jets played out a thrilling 2-all draw on Friday night, with Dimitri Petratos and Andrew Nabbout from Newcastle equalling the effort of Oriol Riera who kicked two for the Wanderers.
Final score
Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Newcastle Jets 2
TV
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Josep Gombau will be looking to rectify a 4-0 loss to Newcastle last time the two sides met.
Giving him confidence will be the Wanderers’ recording their biggest winning margin for the season last time out, smashing the Wellington Phoenix 4-0 at ANZ Stadium.
Oriol Riera got the scoring going early, before Michael Thwaite popped up at the corner to head Western Sydney into a 2-0 lead. Youngster Chris Ikonomidis slammed home an exquisite volley to make it three before Josh Sotirio put the icing on the cake with five minutes remaining.
Gombau wouldn’t want to make too many changes. Ikonomidis, having arrived in Sydney only ten days ago and playing 90 minutes on Sunday, may earn a rest. It comes at a good time though, considering Alvaro Cejudo appears fit enough to make the matchday squad.
As for the Jets, last week they dealt comfortably with a below-par Melbourne Victory, as Dimi Petratos and Andrew Nabbout pulled the strings, while marksman Roy O’Donovan returned.
Petratos assisted Nigel Boogaard for the opener, before Nabbout drilled a ball low and hard for youngster Riley McGree to finish.
Nabbout did suffer a knock to the head from Victory keeper Lawrence Thomas, but seems right for this weekend.
While this pair’s last meeting was the aforementioned bloodbath, The last time they played at this venue, Andrew Hoole salvaged a point for the Jets with a last-minute free-kick to draw 2-2.
Newcastle have one of the poorest records against the Wanderers, winning just 23 per cent of their matches.
Prediction
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-2 Newcastle Jets
Cool N Cold
Guest
Merrick slams 'disgraceful refereeing performance' after draw https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2018/02/17/merrick-slams-disgraceful-refereeing-performance-after-draw After seeing some video clips, agree that the referee and the video assisted referee were bad. How can a referee judge worse after seeing the video replay?
chris
Guest
Congrats on your 100 articles! : )
Kangajets
Guest
Agree with all of that Wayne brown is the weak link and magree and Champness are raring to go . Brown was lucky not be sent off , so was thwaite for wsw ,
Yowzers
Roar Rookie
Entertaining game. Lots of drama. Regardless of whether it gets the calls right or wrong, VAR sucks. Would of liked to see both McGree and Champness on earlier. Roy still looks underdone. Ernies reaction to Nabout’s goal was priceless, the Wayne Bennett of the A-League
Yowzers
Roar Rookie
This. A man can’t disappear ffs. Hoffman decision was right tho.
Kangajets
Guest
Well that was worth the 10 hour excursion A league football can be exciting That’s 20 games in a row Newcastle have scored in .
Kangajets
Guest
Great game that one Cheers buddy
Fadida
Guest
We didn't sort it out but thankfully Risdon can't shoot
Fadida
Guest
Agree, NTS was a metre away as the ball bounce back at him. His arm was up after his initial kicking motion
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Cast aside by Victory. In a similar way to Azia Behich who was cast aside and now plying his trade overseas. Makes you wonder though.
144
Roar Guru
Thank you everyone so much for tuning in tonight. What a way to celebrate my 100th article with The Roar. GOODNIGHT!
144
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME My word what a match. VAR was involved in three goals this evening but in the end it's finished all square. Oriol Riera scored both the Wanderers goals from the penalty spot while Dimi Petratos and Andrew Nabbout offered up their best contenders for goal of the season to equalise and finish at 2-2. The Wanderers face Sydney FC next while the Jets visit Suncorp Stadium.
144
Roar Guru
5 MINUTES OF ADDED TIME
144
Roar Guru
So many hovering crosses! Arrgghhh!
144
Roar Guru
WSW SUB OFF: Chris Ikonomidis ON: Josh Sotirio
144
Roar Guru
JETS SUB OFF: Pato Rodriguez ON: Nick Cowburn
144
Roar Guru
JETS SUB OFF: Roy O'DOnovan ON: Joe Champness
144
Roar Guru
CEJUDO! Poked through into the box by Riera but his turning volley is blazed over from around 15 yards.
144
Roar Guru
Ball moving back and forth, contesting in midfield. Half chance flowing
Stevo
Roar Rookie
It was a goal indeed !!!!!