Western Sydney Wanderers FC coach Tony Popovic rued conceding a late goal for a second season in a row after the Jets snatched an injury-time equaliser to draw 1-1 with his side at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.
“It’s happened twice to us here [in Newcastle]. Last year we were 2-1 up with a minute to go and they scored. And it’s happened again.
“So I’m not sure if it’s a bit of a bogey stadium for us in terms of us seeing out for a win,” he told reporters after the game.
An injury-time penalty to Korean import Lee Ki-Je helped ninth-placed Jets grab a precious 1-1 draw with bottom side Wanderers on Saturday.
The Red and Black were on track for all three points when Brendon Santalab gave them the lead from the penalty spot four minutes from the end.
But the home side won a spot kick of their own two minutes into stoppage time and classy Korean signing Ki-Je kept his nerve to score and ensure the Jets remain one-point ahead of the Wanderers, who are still bottom of the Hyundai A-League ladder.
“Away from home we’ve got our first point today … but we were so close to getting that first [away] win today,” Popovic said.
The game rarely reached any great heights, particularly in the first half with Popovic saying his team didn’t move the ball quick enough.
Though the game exploded into life late on with the two penalties (including Santalab’s audacious Panenka followed by a celebration selfie with the travelling RBB fans).
“The first half wasn’t great football. Maybe two nervous teams,” Popovic added.
“But second half certainly we dominated and should’ve been up by two or three goals before we got the penalty.
“In the end unfortunately we couldn’t see it out.”
The coach of the reigning Asian champions noted his side needed to be more “ruthless” in putting teams away.
“We didn’t get the result we deserved … we got very close. Now we go to Adelaide next week to make sure that’s the first away win.”
