The Newcastle Jets stifled the Brisbane Roar’s much-lauded passing game to record a deserved 2-0 win over the ladder leaders at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The Newcastle Jets stifled the Brisbane Roar’s much-lauded passing game to record a deserved 2-0 win over the ladder leaders at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Brisbane imposed themselves on the game in the early stages, but Newcastle fought back admirably in the first half to claim the opener thanks to a James Donachie own goal.
The visitors were able to hold onto their lead, despite plenty of Brisbane possession, thanks to a disciplined defensive display, before Joseph Gibbs sealed the win with a late strike.
Brisbane had been attempting to claim a record seventh straight home victory, but the Jets found the right formula to end the streak.
Newcastle have a better record than any visiting team at Brisbane’s fortress, with this their eighth win at the venue.
The Roar started brightly, and Liam Miller wasted a fine chance after seven minutes when Besart Berisha lofted a delightful ball to Ivan Franjic, whose cutback was equally impressive. The Irishman, however, sent his shot skidding wide of the post.
Thomas Broich then landed a perfectly weighted pass onto the head of Berisha, but the Albanian could not generate enough power on his header and Mark Birighitti gathered comfortably.
Brisbane continued to dominate possession as they so often do, and continued to created chances.
Franjic’s control let him down after Berisha and Matt McKay combined to slide the ball across goal but his shot was also swooped on by the keeper.
The Jets upped their intensity and began to work their way into the match, however they were not able to create as many clear cut chances as their opponents until a well-executed raid in the 34th minute resulted in the opening goal.
Andrew Hoole received a Jacob Pepper pass and burst past Matt Smith before crossing from the byline, and Donachie couldn’t help but bundle the ball into his own net.
The first real chance of the second half fell to the Roar, as Corey Brown’s cross from the left was blocked by Sam Gallaway just before Franjic could turn it in at the far post.
Moments later Adam Taggart almost scored Newcastle’s second after a driving run from Josh Brillante had given him a sight of goal, but his powerful shot was straight at Michael Theo.
Brisbane were unable to break the visitors down, despite star man Broich seeing plenty of the ball, and the Jets were able to grab a second goal in the dying stages thanks to a well-worked counter attack.
Brillante stormed down the right and crossed for Gibbs to finish past Theo and seal the win for the Jets.
Brisbane Roar 0
Newcastle Jets 2 (Donachie 34og, Gibbs 87)
Crowd: 14,848 @Suncorp Stadium
