Sydney FC ensured normal service was resumed as they yet again beat the Newcastle Jets, this time 2-0 at ANZ Stadium.
The real story of the match was the return of Ali Abbas after 405 days in purgatory after a serious knee injury, which many believed to be career threatening. Not only did the Iraqi international receive a standing ovation upon returning to the field as a second-half substitute, he slotted past Mark Birighitti in the 80th minute to secure the points for his side just as the Jets started to look like salvaging a point. Filip Holosko buried his demons against the Jets in the first half, rifling a shot past Birighitti to give Sydney a deserved lead.
Things are only getting more worrying for the Jets as it is now over nine hours since they last scored and for large parts of this clash that record never really looked like changing.
Newcastle fails to learn their lesson
On 15 minutes in this one, Filip Holosko raced by a static and square Newcastle Jets defence and did what he couldn’t do in the earlier fixture between these sides this season, he buried his chance.
Moments later Sydney again pierced the Jets defence over the top and if it wasn’t for the awareness of their player of the season Mark Birighitti, who sprinted off his line to clear, they would have gone two goals down early.
Ten minutes later and it was George Blackwood’s turn to catch the Jets napping and he was unlucky not to score his maiden A-League goal. He witnessed his effort flash just wide of the post.
The theme was clearly set. The Novocastrians seemed either unaware or unable to fix the problem. Captain Nigel Boogaard for once was having what seemed an off day and his central partner Daniel Mullen didn’t appear capable of filling the breach in leadership at the back.
It is well documented that the Jets have been unable to score this season and now it seems that their earlier defensive organisation and discipline is also deserting them. The Jets will have to clean up their act or their slide down the A-League ladder after a promising start to the campaign will only continue.
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Newcastle lack incisiveness
When you set up to play as the Jets are at the moment, you need to penetrate as quickly and efficiently as you possibly can. Someone seems to have forgotten to tell the Jets. When they do get possession of the ball, the build-up play is slow and uninspiring. On the one occasion when they did look threatening, it was young Nick Cowburn who played a positive ball forward early, getting Carney in behind the defence and leading to a shot from Trifunovic.
Newcastle is a counter-attacking team that lack pace and the ability to hold the ball up on the break. The Jets top three passers for the match were all defenders. Nigel Boogaard (71), Daniel Mullen (63) and Jason Hoffman (53) were well clear of the next best, Ben Kantarovski (45). Newcastle simply doesn’t move the ball into areas where they can hurt the opposition and until they start to, they will continue to struggle to score goals. Scott Miller needs to add some pace and creativity to this side in January or they may well be on their way to consecutive wooden spoons.
The Milos Ninkovic show
The Serbian midfielder was simply everywhere in this one and was quite clearly the best player on the pitch.His technique and skill was superb, only matched by his vision and ability to test the Jets at every opportunity. He continually gave both Mateo Poljak and Ben Kantarovski the run around in midfield, as his rotation with his fellow midfielders left the Jets guessing on almost every occasion. He was ably supported by Chris Naumoff and Mickael Tavares as the Jets seemed unable to get close to regaining possession.
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It was not only in possession where he was brilliant. He continually chased and harried when the Jets did have the ball and caused numerous turnovers.With Ninkovic in this sort of form and the return of the likes of Alex Brosque (injury) and Andrew Hoole (national duty) going into the final third of the season, Sydney could yet again give both the Premiers plate and the Championship an almighty shake.
Outside90 Player of the Year Votes
Milos Ninkovic – 3
Chris Naumoff – 2
Mickael Tavares – 1
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