Melbourne City suffered a frustrating defeat at AAMI Park on Sunday evening, going down 1-0 to Newcastle Jets in a match where clear-cut chances were few and fine margins ultimately proved decisive.
After withstanding early pressure and growing into the contest, a costly defensive lapse midway through the second half allowed the visitors to snatch the only goal of the game, condemning us to defeat.
Team News
Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar made two changes to the starting XI that secured victory over Brisbane Roar midweek. Samuel Souprayen returned to the heart of defence, while Andrew Nabbout was recalled to lead the line, with Max Caputo shifting to the bench.
Starting XI: 1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 4. Liam BONETIG, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 27. Kai TREWIN, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 30. Andreas KUEN, 35. Medin MEMETI, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 15. Andrew NABBOUT.
Substitutes: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 4. Liam BONETIG, 17. Max CAPUTO, 20. Ben MAZZEO, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 41. Lawrence WONG.
What happened?
We were forced onto the back foot almost immediately, with Clayton Taylor testing Patrick Beach inside the opening minute. Beach reacted sharply at his near post to deny what would have been a nightmare start, before we were required to defend a pair of early corners as the Jets pressed aggressively.
That early pressure continued, with Eli Adams firing from range in the fifth minute to force another save from Beach, who was quickly called into action again. We struggled to gain a foothold in the opening exchanges, with the visitors sharper and more assertive in the early stages.
Gradually, we began to settle, and by the 20-minute mark were enjoying longer spells of possession. Our best chance of the first half arrived from a set piece in the 23rd minute when Aziz Behich delivered a pinpoint cross from the left. Souprayen rose highest and powered a header goalwards, only to see his effort crash back off the post.
We went even closer just before the break following a swift counter-attack. Andreas Kuen found space before cutting the ball back into the path of Medin Memeti, whose first-time strike forced an outstanding save from Filip Kurto. The rebound fell kindly for Nabbout, who finished from close range, but lengthy VAR deliberations confirmed the assistant’s flag for offside by the narrowest of margins, ruling out what would have been a crucial opener.
We resumed the second half with renewed intent, earning a free kick in a dangerous area early on. Behich once again delivered quality into the box, with Memeti meeting the cross strongly, though his header lacked the direction required and sailed over the bar.
At the other end, our defensive unit looked composed and assured, managing Newcastle’s threats comfortably for much of the contest. However, the Jets nearly broke through on the counter in the 57th minute when Taylor found space, but his effort flew over the bar.
Vidmar turned to his bench on the hour mark, introducing Alessandro Lopane and Caputo in search of greater attacking impetus. Despite the changes, the game remained stop-start, with limited rhythm and few genuine chances at either end.
The decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute when a rare lapse at the back allowed Lachie Rose to capitalise, finishing clinically to give the Jets the lead against the run of play.
We responded by pushing numbers forward, with Lawrence Wong entering the contest soon after. The young midfielder made an immediate impact, almost fashioning an equaliser when Behich slipped him in behind the defence, but under pressure and from a tight angle, Wong was unable to steer his effort on target.
Further attacking changes followed late on, with Ben Mazzeo introduced as we threw everything at the final stages. We applied sustained pressure throughout stoppage time and went close on a couple of occasions, but Newcastle held firm to deny us a late breakthrough.
What’s next?
Just one match remains in our extended run of home fixtures, as we return to AAMI Park on Friday night to host Auckland FC.
That clash will be the second leg of a doubleheader, with our City Women first in action against Newcastle Jets. We’ll be eager to respond – click here to secure your tickets and back us at home.
