The Newcastle Jets' record-breaking season has ended in the cruelest fashion, a penalty shootout defeat to Sydney FC in a dramatic A-League semi-final second leg at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night.
Sydney FC defender Ben Garuccio delivered the decisive blow in a tense contest, as the visitors triumphed 4-2 in the shootout after the match finished 1-1 after extra time, leveling the aggregate score at 2-2.
Goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares was the hero for Sydney, saving two spot kicks. He denied Kosta Grozos with a strong left arm and then guessed correctly to block Xavier Bertoncello's fourth attempt, before Garuccio sealed the win to send Sydney FC to a grand final against Auckland in New Zealand next Saturday.
The Jets had practiced penalties twice in preparation, but it was not enough to overcome the Sky Blues' resilience. The loss dashed hopes of a domestic treble, but the transformation of the young side has been remarkable.
Match Highlights
Peruvian midfielder Piero Quispe put Sydney ahead in the 64th minute, finishing after a parried shot from James Delianov. The goal looked set to secure Sydney's place in the final until Eli Adams intervened with seconds remaining in regulation time.
Daniel Wilmering sent a speculative ball from the left into the box, and Adams hooked his leg around it to fire a bullet into the top right corner, sending the crowd of 25,082 into a frenzy and forcing extra time.
In extra time, Ben Gibson had an early chance but his header lacked power. Devenish-Meares then tipped an Adams thunderbolt over the bar in the 115th minute, and Joel Bertolissio nearly scored an own goal. Sydney's Alex Popovic headed straight at the goalkeeper as the match remained deadlocked.
Contrasting Styles
The Jets, known as the Box Office Jets, won the Australia Cup and Premiers Plate with the league's best attack, while Sydney FC boasted the best defence, having conceded just three goals in six games under Patrick Kisnorbo. Ultimately, organisation and desperation prevailed for the Sky Blues.
The Jets threw everything at Sydney in a frenetic final 10 minutes of regulation time, with shots flying wide, blocked, or saved by Devenish-Meares.
Team News
Jets coach Milligan made one change, with Lachie Rose returning from a calf injury in place of Ben Gibson. It was Rose's first game in a month. Sydney coach Kisnorbo resisted rushing Joe Lolley into the starting XI after his return from an ankle injury.
Jets defender Joe Shaughnessy played with his left knee heavily strapped. The home side survived an early scare when Garuccio's free kick found Popovic, whose glancing header flashed past the post.
The Jets went close in the 24th minute when Will Dobson released Taylor, who crossed for Rose, but the striker could not get a touch. Taylor then curled a half-volley just wide.
Eli Adams had a strong penalty claim turned down after Garuccio threw himself in front of the winger. Sydney's defence restricted the Jets to just three shots on goal in the first half, while Sydney managed four.
Second Half Action
Adams fired a low drive early in the second half, and Rose lifted a shot over the bar. Bayliss curled a shot wide as the home side piled on pressure. At the other end, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos could not beat Delianov one-on-one.
The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Stamatelopoulos chased down a ball, cut inside, and released Akol Akon. His low shot was parried by Delianov into the path of Quispe to slot home.
Taylor had chances to reply, but his first shot was blocked by Rhyan Grant, and he skied the rebound. Another effort fizzed past the upright.
The Jets' revival of soccer in the region has been praised, but the season ends in heartbreak.
