The Newcastle Jets remain winless after a 1-0 defeat by the Melbourne Victory at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Round 4 of the Hyundai National Youth League.
Victory captain Matthew Theodore was the hero for the visitors, scoring late in the second half. The game was an evenly-fought contest during the first half with both teams having strong chances.
Towering Jets striker Jason Naidovski had the best chance for the home team when he streaked away from the Victory defence in the 11th minute but the left-footer’s hasty effort on his less-favoured side went wide of Melbourne goalkeeper Mijo Marinovic.
Newcastle out-muscled Melbourne in the midfield for much of the first half but lacked confidence finishing inside the box. Jets playmaker Simon Mooney had the home team’s best chance of the first half in the 35th minute when he darted on to a neatly threaded pass from Naidovski but was shaky in front of goal and could only find the side net.
Melbourne’s best chance of breaking the first half deadlock came in the 44th minute when Fabio Di Lizia set up Dimitri Hatzimouratis, but the young striker’s shot dragged wide.
Newcastle started the second half with plenty of vigour and it came at a cost inside the first minute when 19-year-old Jets skipper Taylor Regan received a yellow card for his mis-timed lunge on Matthew Foschini.
Naidovski was unlucky not to score in the 54th minute when he latched on to a half-volley at the top of the box and thumped the ball narrowly over the top post.
Victory made a promising response when Theodore sliced through the Jets’ defence and set up Hatzimouratis. The striker seemed certain to score but was foiled by a brave sliding save from Jets goalkeeper Jordan Griffiths.
Melbourne’s dominant effort in the midfield throughout the second half was rewarded in the 78th minute when Theodore beat some tired Jets defenders to coolly slot home the game’s only goal.
The hosts responded by pushing forward and had their best chance to equalise in the 88th minute when a blistering run by Jarrad Ross set up Brodie Mooy but his shot sprayed wide.
Match Details
Newcastle Jets 0
Melbourne Victory 1 (Nathan Elasi 78-)
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Saturday 18 October 2008
Referee: Kurt Ams
Newcastle Jets line-up: 1.Jordan GRIFFITHS (gk), 2.Jarrad ROSS, 3.Antun KOVACIC (OA) (14.George STROGYLOS 54-), 4.Jon GRIFFITHS, 5.Taylor REGAN, 6.Jesse PINTO (15.Matthew HARPER 45-), 7.Kaz PATAFTA, 8.Noel SPENCER (OA), 9.Jason NAIDOVSKI, 10.Brodie MOOY, 11.Simon MOONEY (12.Joel WITHERDIN 57-)
Substitutes not used: Nil
Yellow cards: Taylor Regan 46-
Red Cards: Nil
Melbourne Victory line-up: 1.Mijo MARINOVIC (gk), 2.Robert WYNNE, 4.Matthew FOSCHINI (8.Stephen HATZIKOSTAS 60-), 5.Fabio DI LIZIA (6.Cameron DRAKE 60-), 7.Aziz BEHICH, 9.Mathew THEODORE, 10.Milos LUJIC (11.Dimitri HATZIMOURATIS 75-), 11.Dimitri HATZIMOURATIS (3.Ante CICAK 60-), 12.Nathan ELASI, 14.Steven PACE (OA), 15.Steven PANTELIDIS (OA)
Substitutes not used: Nil
Yellow cards: Aziz Behich 89-
Red Cards: Nil
