Wellington have put in a performance belying their bottom of the table position, to push the high flying Jets all the way in a game that resulted in a 1-nil win to Newcastle.
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Final score
Wellington Phoenix 0
Newcastle Jets 1
TV
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Tonight is all about the away side, and whether or not they can continue with the momentum that they created with an historic last-start win against the table-topping Sydney FC.
As Wellington continue to come to terms with a “seasonus horribilis,” it will be the visitors with the biggest point to prove: that the big win against Sydney was the start of their charge for a title.
Newcastle welcome back their big overseas recruits Pato Rodriguez and Ronald Vargas, which is not bad cover for the loss of Andrew Nabbout to Japan and the suspended Roy O’Donovan.
Lachlan Jackson should also get a start for the injured captain Boogard. Boogard is a huge loss, and that might be the opening for a Wellington team that needs all the help it can get.
Wellington will continue the count down to the end of the season and the long off-season until they are given the chance to prove themselves again.
Nathan Burns and Roy Krishna will once again be the focal point, unless Kaluderovic gets a recall by interim coach Greenacre.
However, it will be the re-birth of the Newcastle giants that will be the story here. Newcastle have generally been awful in Wellington, and lost their last start against the kiwis in a 3-2 home loss.
But this has been a history of change for Newcastle, including making finals and beating Sydney. So tonight they should rectify another blot on their copybook: competing across the ditch.
I won’t say Wellington can’t win, but it would take a very insightful man to bet against a well performed away team playing the team running last without a coach.
Newcastle 2-nil.
Join The Roar for live scores and blog of the match at 5:35pm (AEDT).
perry cox
Roar Guru
Vargas is incredible. That was his first game, but he looked like he was following up, sans horror injury, a week later from the last time he's played.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Hahahahahahahaha.
perry cox
Roar Guru
They've reached the point where now they need to make all these historic changes in their favour bear fruits: a championship.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time Wellington have put in a performance belying their bottom of the table position, to push the high flying Jets all the way in a game that resulted in a 1-nil win to Newcastle. The story of the night was chances galore for Wellington. Wellington's plan was obvious in a heavy reliance upon the pace of Sapreet Singh, Nathan Burns, and Roy Krishna. The Phoenix attacked at will through pace and sheer perseverance, as chance after chance fell to the feet of the home side in relatively simple one-on-one or close range chances. The Phoenix simply could not convert, and as the first half rolled along, a charging Jason Hoffman made his way into the area from the right, where he cut the ball, and had two shots, to get the ball into the net, and give the Jets the lead. The second half would be much the same, with Wellington wasting chances that on any other night would have resulted in a thumping win for the home side (playing out of Auckland). Krishna at one point wasted what would have been the best chance of the match, when he put a chance past Duncan, only for Burns to go one further, and miss a six yard tap in whistling past the post. The return of Ronald Vargas should have heartened every Jets supporter, and any true supporter of the A-League, as he inserted himself into the game with ease, and showed touches of class that originally had Ernie Merrick so exhilarated. To come back from the horror injury he suffered was always going to be a victory in itself for the Venezuelan. The Wellington Phoenix though can look to the end of the season with renewed hope of not necessarily keeping their season alive, but a belief in the squad that the quality is there, they simply need to add the finishing touches. For Newcastle, they close the gap to five points momentarily behind Sydney, as they charge towards the finals and a hopeful Asian Champions League spot, but perhaps more importantly, first title in ten years. The win also kept Newcastle's scoring streak, now at 23 games, well and truly alive. A cracking game this, and a stellar advert for the A-League. End to end stuff, despite only having one goal for supporters to celebrate. Wellington Phoenix: 0 Newcastle Jets: 1
Kangajets
Guest
Jason Hoffman continues to push for Socceroos selection.. How good was Vargas , that composure on the ball is just what the jets needed. Wellington deserved at least a draw , but newy boys will be happy to sneak the win
Kangajets
Guest
Jason Hoffman continues to push for Socceroos selection.. How good was Vargas , that composure on the ball is just what the jets needed. Wellington deserved at least a draw , but newy boys will be happy to sneak the win
Griffo
Roar Guru
Well, a win is a win... ...and Newcastle win away to Phoenix. Quite the season for the Jets. 8-)
Kangajets
Guest
Vargas has turned the tide , he got on the ball in the middle . Jets were looking toast for a while. Great save by Duncan
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time 95' - Corner Nix. It goes to the wire. Another corner. This game will not end. Nix with yet another chance! FOUL ON THE KEEPER - HE KEEPS IT OUT ANYWAY!!!!!!!!! What a finish! Georgievski with what would have been a goal line clearance himself! Wellington Phoenix: 0 Newcastle Jets: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
94' - Duncan blasts it up field? One last dance from the Nix? Wellington Phoenix: 0 Newcastle Jets: 1
Kangajets
Guest
Vargas has been fantastic
perry cox
Roar Guru
Agreed Stuart. Further, Nix fans should be disappointed they haven't won.
perry cox
Roar Guru
93' - Cacace down to receive some treatment. I think it's cramp. Does that add to injury time? Injuries in injury time? NTS barks orders to his defence. What will Jets do with the ball here? they had it when the ref stopped play for Cacace. Wellington Phoenix: 0 Newcastle Jets: 1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Crap league, folding in two years. Players switching to AFLX.
perry cox
Roar Guru
91' - We will have 4 long (or short, depending who you support) minutes of stoppage time. Wellington Phoenix: 0 Newcastle Jets: 1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Plenty of time for Wellington. Fair result a draw here.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Disagree STuart. I think they've looked better, it's just that Nix have lifted as well.
perry cox
Roar Guru
90' - Jets trying to finish this, Vargas looking smooth as silk on the ball, gets a nutmeg of his own. Velaphi winds up with it though, and Nix on the attack. What a great game! The A-League delivers again. Wellington Phoenix: 0 Newcastle Jets: 1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Newcastle with the wobblies.....holding on.
perry cox
Roar Guru
88' - Corner Nix. What can they do here? Come on Wellington, you've earned a reward here. Ridenton sends it wide again to Burns, Jets defending with some real steel here. Wellington Phoenix: 0 Newcastle Jets: 1