The previously winless AIS has scored a deserved 2-1 victory over the Newcastle Jets in their National Youth League Round 22 clash at Deakin Football Stadium on Saturday.
Forward Kamal Ibrahim was the hero for the AIS, scoring both his team’s goals in a polished attacking display.
The AIS showed its intentions early, moving the ball well with Stephen Domenici forcing a good save from Robbie Kolak in the opening minutes.
It was rewarded for its early dominance when midfielder Ryan Edwards broke away on a counterattack in the sixth minute, passing to the running Ibrahim who beat a chasing defender and shot truly.
The remainder of the half was tight, with the AIS holding possession and having a few near misses in attack and the Jets showing some glipses of form but lacking cohesion.
Domenici was dominant down the right, getting around defenders with ease he had the best chance to score with a shot across the face of goal from close range.
James Virgili had the Jets’ best chance, one on one with AIS goalkeeper Aaron Lennox from a tight angle he tried to sneak the ball through to no avail.
A lapse in concentration on the stroke of half time was all it took for the Jets to hit back, Taylor Regan toe-poking the ball into the back of the net in a goalmouth scramble following a corner.
The second half was a far more open affair, with Marc Warren missing a good chance to get the AIS in front when he dribbled towards goal, lost control of the ball and then turned and shot directly into the keeper.
It was then Newcastle’s chance to get on top, but a wasteful Brodie Mooy was twice the villian for his team.
Firstly on the counter attack he got clear on the left and had time to settle but his attempt to put it into the right-hand side of goals was poorly executed and went wide.
Moments later he squandered another chance to score with a very similar shot off target again despite loose AIS defence.
The game had come to life with a few fiery challenges and near misses as both teams upped the ante in search of the match winner.
Newcastle’s Jason Naidovski and AIS substitute Jake Barker-Daish both came close, but were foiled by two quality saves.
But it was Ibrahim’s day, he found himself unmarked on the end of a looping Barker-Daish cross and headed powerfully past Kolak.
Newcastle fought valiantly until the end but could not break through and after a few nervous moments the AIS savoured its first win.
AIS 2 (Ibrahim 6, 74)
Newcastle Jets 1 (Regan 45)
@ Deakin Football Stadium.
