Anthony Caceres scored a stunning volley with minutes remaining as Sydney FC emerged from the jaws of defeat to break the hearts of Newcastle Jets in an entertaining 2-2 Isuzu UTE A-League draw.
The Jets appeared on track for their first home victory of the season after Aaron Gurd’s own goal and Clayton Taylor’s 72nd-minute strike had put Newcastle in a commanding position at McDonald Jones Stadium.
But the Sky Blues rallied on Saturday – Joe Lolley pulled a goal back with 12 minutes of regulation remaining before Subway Socceroos midfielder Caceres equalised in the 89th minute to stun the crowd in the Hunter region.
BUY TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE!
With the point, eighth-placed Sydney are four points outside of the top six, while 11th-placed Newcastle’s winless run on home soil stretched to six matches.
The Jets came into the clash looking for not only their first home goal of the season but the club’s first victory at McDonald Jones Stadium since upstaging Sydney FC in April last season – a run of five games without a win and four consecutive defeats.
Meanwhile, Sydney – without injured superstar Douglas Costa – were eyeing back-to-back league wins for first time in 2024-25.
CHAMPS SILENCE ROAR: Mariners fend off 10-man Brisbane as debutant’s magic moment seals unwanted history
‘WOW’: Aloisi’s brilliant reaction to young gun’s last-gasp wondergoal and red card after wild night
Chances were few and far between throughout the opening half until the Jets struck on the stroke of half-time.
Eli Adams, who was Newcastle’s biggest threat, got in behind Sydney’s defence and his pass across the six-yard box was turned in for an own goal by Aaron Gurd.
After a lacklustre opening half, Sydney looked more threatening in the second period but they conceded again with 17 minutes remaining.
It was former academy prospect Taylor who doubled the lead for the Jets after a sublime cross from Newcastle teammate Thomas Aquilina, whose teasing delivery evaded the entire Sydney defence.
Sydney refused to surrender though, with Lolley curling a shot past Ryan Scott minutes later.
BUY TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE!
Then, with a minute of regulation left on the clock, Caceres found the back of the net with a volley from the edge of the penalty area to see the Jets and Sydney play out their first draw in three years.
