Auckland FC couldn't battle past a 10-man Newcastle Jets in their A-League clash today. Photo / Getty Images
This certainly wasn’t the New Year party that everybody expected.
All the ingredients were there for Auckland FC – a sunny afternoon, a big crowd of 16,156 and a festive spirit – but it didn’t happen.
After a shock loss to Newcastle a month ago, history repeated on Thursday – but this was even worse. Auckland FC went down 3-1, despite the Jets playing more than 70 minutes with 10 men after defender Max Cooper picked up his second yellow card.
With their numerical advantage, Auckland laid siege to the Newcastle goal but couldn’t break through and an injury-time Lachlan Rose strike sealed the result. The Jets defence was outstanding, while the home side couldn’t create the clear-cut chances their dominance deserved.
Auckland were slow out of the blocks, looking like a team that hadn’t played for almost two weeks, and were punished as they conceded two sloppy early goals. A superb Jesse Randall free kick equalised after the first, but Will Dobson’s 16th-minute strike proved decisive.
Auckland FC had 22 shots (six on target) to six (four) and enjoyed 71% possession, while forcing 10 corners to one.
This was Auckland’s fourth loss on home soil in their history, of which two have come against the underrated Jets. They’ll remain top of the A-League ladder but could be overtaken by Sydney FC by the weekend.
The opening 20 minutes were pure madness, as if the spirit of New Year’s Eve had been transposed onto Go Media Stadium, with a ton of chances, three goals and the red card.
After missing their game against Sydney on December 27 – with the pitch deemed unsuitable – Auckland had a point to prove after the long break. But they couldn’t find the recipe and got more and more frustrated.
Coach Steve Corica put Guillermo May back in his No 10 role and Felipe Gallegos started in central midfield, with Jake Brimmer out with a hamstring injury.
The visitors suffered the worst possible start, losing attacking dynamo Alex Badolato to an ankle injury in the fourth minute. But they didn’t miss a beat. The opening goal was well worked, although it won’t be pleasant viewing at the Auckland review session.
It almost seemed to happen in slow motion, as Newcastle found space on the edge of the area, before Clayton Taylor bustled past Callan Elliott. His driven cross was met on the volley by Rose, who had slipped between the two stationary central defenders.
There were almost alarm bells moments later, with Dan Hall intervening after a mix-up, before Randall’s brilliant improvisation from a free kick to equalise. It was a sweet strike, with goalkeeper James Delianov caught out at his near post as he expected a cross, and had the big crowd on their feet.
But things unravelled again minutes later, with Dobson netting the rebound after a swift counter-attack. The opportunity came after Hall was robbed on halfway, with Michael Woud only able to parry the resultant shot from Taylor.
To put the cap on a crazy period, Cooper was sent off in the 21st minute. He was shown his second yellow card as he lunged to stop a Sam Cosgrove breakaway, after earlier being booked for pulling down May.
From there Auckland began to dominate; space was found on both flanks and crosses fizzed in, without a dividend, as defenders got in the way or passes narrowly missed their mark. Cosgrove went close twice – though should have released an open May on the second occasion – while Lachlan Brook flashed a shot wide.
Newcastle survived on scraps but still had moments of danger, as Auckland looked uncertain at times at the back. Hiroki Sakai replaced Callan Elliott at halftime, as the hosts looked for variation. They continued their dominance and were camped in the attacking third for long periods, with crosses and runs from all angles, but Newcastle soaked up the pressure well and didn’t allow many shots.
From nowhere, the Jets should have extended their lead in the 64th minute but Max Burgess lifted his half volley over the bar from six yards.
Corica used further reinforcements, with Logan Rogerson, Jonty Bidois and Cameron Howieson introduced. A key moment came, but Rogerson and Bidois got in each other’s way before both scuffing their shots in quick succession.
Rogerson, who added plenty of energy, then forced a good near-post save. Auckland threw the kitchen sink at their rivals in the latter stages, without reward, as the massed defence proved difficult to breakdown.
Rose’s goal – into an empty net – was the final dagger. Woud had come forward for a final corner but it was headed away at the near post before Newcastle broke.
Auckland FC 1 (Jesse Randall 13)
Newcastle Jets 3 (Lachlan Rose 7, 90+6, Will Dobson 16). Halftime: 1-2