Newcastle Jets made a winning start to their pre-season tour in China while Brisbane Roar surged to a comfortable win. Here’s our weekend Hyundai A-League friendly update.
A brace to winger Andrew Hoole and a clinical finish from second half substitute Devante Clut enabled the Jets achieve a 3-2 win over Liaoning Whowin FC from the Chinese Super League on Saturday night.
After a goalless first 45 in Huludao in China’s north, the game sprung to life in the second stanza when Clut – who only entered the game at the start of the second period – fired a sweet strike beyond Liaoning custodian Zhang Zhengqiang in the 47th minute to give Scott Miller’s side the lead.
Newcastle’s advantage didn’t last long though as Liaoning replied through Wang Liang just four minutes later. Liang’s volley took a deflection off Jets midfielder Wayne Brown before nestling in the back of the net.
But the Jets regained the advantage when young marksman Kristian Brymora did well to earn a penalty for the team, which was converted by Hoole 66 minutes in.
Urged on by the partisan crowd Liaoning were keen to restore parity to the contest and did so in the 77th minute when the speedy Lei Yongchi burst forward and sent an angled finish beyond Jack Duncan.
But Newcastle weren’t to be denied in their first game in China since 2009, and it was the impressive Hoole who grabbed the winner.
After cutting in from the left Hoole unleashed a powerful, low right foot effort that beat Zhang.
Newcastle Jets will travel to Shenyang tomorrow afternoon before flying to Shenzhen on Monday.
On Wednesday Miller’s squad will challenge Eastern SC from the Hong Kong Premier League at the Boa’an Stadium, before backing up 48 hours later against Kitchee SC from the same league at the same venue.
In Brisbane, Luke DeVere’s return to action highlighted Brisbane Roar’s 4-0 win over a Football Brisbane Premier League Select side at Queensland Sports & Athletics Centre Stadium.
DeVere made his long-awaited return, completing an assured 45 minutes alongside Jade North in the centre of defence for John Aloisi’s side.
Brisbane’s early dominance paid off in the 33rd minute when Dimi Petratos fired a low and hard strike across goalkeeper Jake Reesby to open the scoring.
Jamie Maclaren scored the second on 39 minutes, his second goal in two pre-season outings.
Constant pressure from Roar finally took its toll on the BPL Select team late on with Daniel Bowles turning in Jesse Daley’s cross four minutes from time.
Roar’s teenage winger Daniel Leck then completed the scoring two minutes later after excellent build-up play by Thomas Broich, Daley and Joey Katebian.
Roar will now return to the training park in preparation for the September 10 pre-season clash against Central Coast Mariners at Spencer Park, Newmarket.
