A controversial penalty has seen Adelaide suffer a 2-1 loss to Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium in Round 11 of the Hyundai A-League on Saturday night.
Andrew Nabbout opened the scoring after half-time before George Blackwood restored parity, however the Jets were awarded a contentious penalty which was dispatched by Dimitri Petratos to steal the win.
Marco Kurz made three enforced changes to the starting XI which defeated Melbourne Victory last round. Michael Marrone – making his 150th Hyundai A-League start – and Vince Lia replaced suspended pair Ben Garuccio and Daniel Adlung, while George Blackwood was brought in for Baba Diawara, who was ruled out with a hip complaint. Taylor Regan also returned to the bench after missing the past nine league games with an ankle injury.
It was a rather uneventful and lacklustre first-half indicative of the stifling conditions. However, Adelaide were defensively organised and showed a great defensive concentration to contain the Jets and nullify their threats.
Nathan Konstandopoulos had the first real chance for United with a decent shot forcing custodian Glen Moss into a save thirty minutes in.
The intensity lifted somewhat in the second-half and Newcastle took the lead not long after through Nabbout.
The winger was in an offside position when he found the net, but because the final touch bounced off Vince Lia, the goal stood.
But the Reds would grab a well-deserved equaliser when Blackwood smacked home a close range finish.
However, the final minutes were marred by a debatable decision to give Ernie Merrick’s side a late penalty for an apparent handball on Ryan Strain.
The ensuing spot-kick was converted leaving the Reds incensed by what had taken place.
Key moments:
17’ | Some neat build up play sees Ivan Vujica deliver a low cross into the box but Andrew Nabbout cannot make any contact, as the ball flashes across the face of goal.
33’ | Konstandopoulos dribbles forward and hits a low shot from the edge of the box, though Moss is equal to it and gets down quickly.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5682266528001
45’+1’ | Michael Marrone marauds down the left in the final action of the first period.
55’ | GOAL: The ball squirts to Nabbout and he clinically finishes, despite being in an offside position, as the final touch came of Lia after tackling Joey Champness.
67’ | GOAL! Mileusnic slips through Marrone on the overlap before the full-back delivers a low cross for Blackwood and he emphatically scores from close range to net his second of the campaign.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5682266536001
70’ | Marrone is again involved, this time shooting on the angle inside the box with Moss producing a strong save.
87’ | PENALTY: The hosts are awarded a contentious spot-kick when Dimitri Petratos’ shot ricochets off Ersan Gülüm and hits Strain. The referee adjudges that the ball struck the arm of the youngster, despite his arm being alongside his body and replays suggest it hit his chest.
89’ | GOAL: Petratos converts the subsequent penalty sending Paul Izzo the wrong way.
Match details:
Saturday, 16 December 2017
Hyundai A-League Round 11
Newcastle Jets 2 (Nabbout 55’ Petratos 89’)
Adelaide United 1 (Blackwood 67’)
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
