Newcastle Jets have scored twice inside the last 10 minutes to snatch an astonishing 2-2 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers at Spotless Stadium on Sunday night.
In the Wanderers first match at their new home ground, Tony Popovic’s side looked to be cruising to a win after leading 2-0 at the break.
A first Hyundai A-League goal to Spanish defender Aritz Borda and a penalty converted by new skipper Dimas Delgado had Western Sydney in complete control.
But the Jets refused to go away and pushed hard to find an avenue back into the match, getting their reward nine minutes from time via the head of skipper Nigel Boogaard.
And they completed the comeback two minutes from the end with Andrew Hoole’s curling free-kick going around the wall and sneaking in under keeper Andrew Redmayne.
The result keeps the Jets unbeaten and on five points, just ahead of the Wanderers who have had a win, loss and draw from the opening three rounds.
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GOALS
1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers: Aritz Borda, 24’
Skipper Dimas Delgado’s out-swinging corner picked out Borda, who held off his defender and glancing his header in off the far post.
2-0 Western Sydney Wanderers: Dimas Delgado, 45+2’
Ben Kantarovski used an arm to deal with a ball into the area, giving referee Chris Beath no choice but to award a penalty. And as keeper Jack Duncan dived to his left, the new full-time Wanderers skipper coolly sent his shot down the middle.
2-1 Newcastle Jets: Nigel Boogaard, 81’
A free-kick wide on the left was swung in by Andrew Hoole, with Boogaard rising above Scott Neville and keeper Andrew Redmayne to head into an empty net.
2-2 Newcastle Jets: Andrew Hoole, 88’
After Redmayne had flown out of his box to foul Hoole, the winger curled an excellent free-kick around the wall, with the Wanderers gloveman getting down but only parrying it into the corner of the net.
KEY MOMENT
Just before the hour mark Wanderers winger Jumpei Kusukami showed a great burst of speed and touch to get around a couple of defenders and surge into the box. But Duncan came out to block his shot and keep the score at 2-0, keeping the visitors in the match and alive for their late fightback.
ATTENDANCE
13,247 @ Spotless Stadium
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