Adelaide United have fallen 3-0 to Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium on Sunday night.
Roy O’Donovan’s 40th minute opener and two goals soon after half-time from Matthew Millar and Steven Ugarkovic inflicted a fourth consecutive defeat on the Reds.
Gertjan Verbeek made two changes to the starting line-up that lost to Western United. Mirko Boland and Ryan Kitto were brought in at the expense of Louis D’Arrigo and Michaël Maria. The German midfielder received his maiden start of the campaign, while it was Kitto’s first start since Round 14.
Adelaide were lively early into proceedings, pushing the ball around with purpose and an intensity that was missing from previous weeks.
James Troisi saw a lot of the ball and orchestrated a couple of attacking moves. Stefan Mauk was on the end of one of the 31-year-old’s through balls following an incisive move which also included Nikola Mileusnić, but he dragged his attempt inches wide of the far post on 17 minutes.
But the Reds could not find a breakthrough despite dominating the possession and Newcastle made them pay with a swift attacking move five minutes from the interval.
Dimitri Petratos lashed a ball across the face of goal which was just beyond the reach of Jordan Elsey at full stretch and O’Donovan was there to convert from the six-yard box.
And after the re-start Newcastle bagged two goals in a three-minute period.
Millar latched on to Nigel Boogaard’s ball over the defence and placed the ball over Paul Izzo.
Before Adelaide could recover, the Jets increased their lead on 54 minutes when Ugarkovic thumped his header into the top corner from Bobby Burns’ cross.
Verbeek made a triple substitution, turning to Mohamed Toure, Kusini Yengi, and Maria.
The former two combined almost immediately with just the finish lacking. Toure drove to the byline on the right wing and his low cross was unable to be turned home by a sliding Yengi from point-blank range.
United toiled but could not find a way past goalkeeper Lewis Italiano, as the Reds were held goalless for the inaugural time this season.
Key moments:
40’ | GOAL: O’Donovan is there to tap home Petratos’ ball across the face of goal to make it 0-1.
51’ | GOAL: Millar controls Boogaard’s aerial through ball and lobs his finish over the onrushing Izzo.
54’ | GOAL: Burns cross is met by a powerful header from Ugarkovic giving Izzo no chance.
Match details:
Sunday, 15 March 2020
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season – Round 23
Adelaide United 0
Newcastle Jets 3 (O’Donovan 40’ Millar 51’ Ugarkovic 54’)
Venue: Coopers Stadium
