Brosque brace helps Sydney edge Jets in seven-goal thriller

Sydney FC remains in the hunt for the A-League Premiers' Plate after a double from Alex Brosque and an 80th minute goal from Robert Stambolziev gave it a thrilling 4-3 win over Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium on Friday.

Alex Brosque

Alex Brosque hopes to leave his mark on grand final (Getty) Source: Getty Images

Sydney FC fought back from a goal down at the break to lead 3-1 early in the second half, before a Jets revival saw the host pull level 15 minutes from time.

But the see-sawing encounter finally fell Sydney's way with Stambolziev perfectly placed to score the Sky Blues fourth and secure it a vital three points.

The win takes the Sydney level with Victory at the top, although Melbourne does have a game less.

Newcastle named an unchanged eleven for the first time this season after its win over A-League leader Melbourne Victory last week.

Sydney was hoping to catch Victory at the top with three points at Hunter Stadium. 

After a fairly uneventful first 20 minutes, the Jets brought the game to life with wonderfully worked goal.

Edson Montano dropped into midfield and turned to play a ball over the top for Enver Alidovic who burst into the area.

Vedran Janjetovic came steaming off his line, but Alidovic gently lobbed the goalkeeper and saw the ball nestle into the corner to five Newcastle a 1-0 lead.
Sydney created the better openings after going down, but a mixture of poor finishing, stern defending and good goalkeeping from Ben Kennedy kept the visitor at bay in the first half.

It took less than three minutes for the Sky Blues to pull level after the break.

A defence-splitting pass from Rhyan Grant was latched on to by Alex Brosque who sprinted into the box, kept his cool and slotted the ball past Kennedy, for his third goal in two matches.

Soon after Bernie Ibini found himself with space outside the area and let fly on goal. The shot was parried by Kennedy, but Ibini followed up his own effort and tucked away the loose ball to edge Sydney ahead 2-1.
The Sky Blues rampant start to the second half continued on 56 minutes as Alex Gersbach crossed in for Brosque at the near post and he glanced a header that nestled in at the far bottom corner to extend the visitor's advantage.

Newcastle hit back just past the hour after a neat move on the edge of the box released Andrew Hoole down the right.

The winger pulled it back for Montano and he scrambled an effort through the legs of Janjetovic and over the line to reduce the deficit. 

The Jets had a the chance to restore parity from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time when Hoole was brought down in the area.

The soon-to-be Sydney player expertly dispatched the spotkick to make it 3-3.
Parity lasted less than five minutes as the Jets failed to deal with a deep cross and Shane Smeltz headed across goal for fellow substitue Stambolziev who stuck out a boot and steered the ball to score his first A-League goal and edge the Sky Blues back in front 4-3.

While there were chances at both ends in the dying stage, Sydney held on for a crucial victory that takes it level at the top with Victory.

Sky Blues coach Graham Arnold admitted it became a little too close for comfort but praised his players for being able to lift.

"These boys have all the confidence in themselves that they've got an extra gear," he said.

"But the most important thing is the three points. We've kept the pressure on Melbourne Victory now."

Jets coach Phil Stubbins said his side would learn from allowing Sydney to stage its second-half attacking blitz but praised his charges' fighting spirit.

"There's a lot to be proud of," he said.

"We played a magnificent team... and to get back to 3-3 and make it anyone's game against a class outfit is a credit to all the players in there."


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4 min read
Published 17 April 2015 7:47pm
Updated 17 April 2015 10:55pm
Source: SBS

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