2 weeks Ago By Renee Valentine
The Newcastle Jets' faint finals hopes have been smothered in a 2-0 loss to fourth-placed Western United at No.2 Sportsground on Sunday. Login or signup to continue reading After withstanding a barrage of attacking pressure in the first half, mostly due to several clutch saves by goalkeeper Danielle Krzyzaniak, the Jets conceded both close-range goals in the second period The first came from a corner in the 50 th minute, when Catherine Zimmerman poked the ball home through a sea of legs on the goal line.
Japanese forward Keiwa Hieda extended the advantage in the 77 th minute, when she ghosted unmarked into the box to meet a cross at the back post. In all, United, who climbed to 32 points with two rounds remaining, unleashed 19 shots with 12 on target compared to Newcastle's five. The Jets stayed 11 th on 20 points, seven outside the top six.
Only Western Sydney (15) are below them. The hosts ran into a howling southerly wind in the first half and created just two shots on goal - both back-post headers that missed their mark. They could not capitalise with the breeze at their back in the second half.
They advanced up the pitch but needed to be better with their final passes. Lauren Allan put a desperate attempt just wide of the left post in the 58 th minute and captain Cassidy Davis fired a long-range effort off target in the 85 th . Krzyzaniak was in outstanding form to keep her goal unbreached in the first half as United took 10 shots, seven on target, compared to their opponents' two.
The Canadian denied United's Chloe Logarzo from long range in the 16 th minute then pulled off a brilliant reflex save to stop the Matildas midfielder again six minutes later. Krzyzaniak also punched away a dangerous corner kick in the 23 rd minute, stopped Logarzo from close range in the 37 th minute and tipped Zimmerman's long-range shot into the crossbar in the 38 th minute The match came after Newcastle's heart-breaking and controversial 4-3 loss to second-placed Victory in Melbourne, which was sealed in the final minute of play. Jets coach Ryan Campbell stuck with the same starting side.
There are no A-League Women's games next weekend due to a FIFA international women's window. The Matildas will host Korea Republic in Newcastle on April 7. The Jets next face unbeaten leaders Melbourne City at AAMI Park on April 11 before rounding out the season in Maitland against Central Coast on April 19.
Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle. She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.
[email protected] Renee Valentine is a sports journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Newcastle.
She is passionate about increasing the visibility of sportswomen in the media. Got a sports story, email Renee at r.valentine@newcastleherald.
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