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Wellington Phoenix
2
94
Newcastle Jets
0
| R. Krishna |  | 89' | ||
| 89' |  | K. Sheppard | ||
| R. Krishna | | 79' | ||
| S. Singh | | 63' | ||
| L. Fenton | | 54' | ||
| D. Georgievski | | 32' | ||
| 24' | | S. Ugarkovic |
| 11 | Shots | 15 | ||
| 3 | On Target | 4 | ||
| 17 | Fouls | 15 | ||
| 10 | Corners | 6 | ||
| 3 | Offsides | 2 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 3 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
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The Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets open their 2018/19 A-League seasons when they meet at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3pm (AEDT).
It appears as a season of make or break for the Phoenix. After another disappointing campaign in 2017/18, their position in the league will continue to come under question for as long as their performances on the field are consistently below par.
There have been changes across the ditch with Mark Rudan taking over the reins and hoping to bring some energy and enthusiasm to a club that has become quite adept at mediocrity over the least few seasons.
There is talent and quality in the squad, yet depth looks to be an issue.
Roy Krishna will once again be vital in the search for goals and with David Williams returning to the A-League, he may have a better chance with a second prong to the attack.
Throw in Nathan Burns and it is clear that the Phoenix have some decent weapons to employ. Steven Taylor brings a wealth of experience to the backs and new import Mandi will hopefully provide some real starch in the midfield, alongside new signing Mitch Nicholls.
For Newcastle it was a case of so close yet so far last season and they will be looking to go one better this time around.
There has been little player movement and the squad looks very much the same as the previous model; a model mind you, that performed brilliantly over the course of a long season.
Roy O’Donovan’s suspension will hurt the potentcy of the Jets in the first third of the season yet the real x-factor for them could be a fully fit and keen Ronald Vargas, who had his season tragically affected by a terrible injury early last season.
Even upon his return he wasn’t the same player and it will be interesting to see just how effective he can be, with many believing he is one of the classiest imports in the league.
Ernie Merrick will have a tough job in settling the squad down after such a long and promising campaign that ended in a disaster and amidst VAR controversy.
His team is good enough to compete again, on the back of breakout years for Dimi Petratos and Steven Ugarkovic.
The Jets will have John Koutroumbis on their minds as they begin the season. As important as the match might be, moments of illness always reminds us of things far bigger than football.
Prediction
In a glorious start for the Phoenix, they will rustle up a goal to defeat the Jets and snatch three points in the first round of the competition.
Wellington Phoenix 1, Newcastle Jets 0
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 3.00pm (AEDST).
Where: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
When: Sunday 21st October 2018, 3.00pm (AEDST)
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Wellington Phoenix $3.20 Draw $3.65 Newcastle Jets $2.10
Wellington Phoenix
1. Filip Kurto (Gk), 4.Mandi 5.Ryan Lowry, 6.Dylan Fox, 8.Mitch Nichols, 9. Nathan Burns, 10. David Williams, 13. Liberato Cacace, 14. Alex Rufer, 15. Michal Kopczynski, 16. Louis Fenton, 18.Sarpreet Singh, 19.Tom Doyle, 20.Oliver Sail (Gk), 21.Roy Krishna, 22. Andrew Durante (C), 23. Max Burgess, 27. Steven Taylor
Newcastle Jets
1.Glen Moss (Gk), 3.Jason Hoffman, 4.Nigel Boogaard (C), 5.Ben Kantarovski, 6.Steven Ugarkovic, 7.Dimi Petratos, 8.Jair, 10.Ronald Vargas, 11.Mitch Austin, 13.Ivan Vujica, 14.Kaine Sheppard, 16.Nick Cowburn, 17.Daniel Georgievski, 20.Lewis Italiano (Gk), 22.Lachlan Jackson, 23.Matthew Ridenton, 28.Patrick Langlois, 44.Nikolai Topor-Stanley
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