The waiting is finally over as the Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United kicked off the A-League at Newcastle International Sports Centre. Some of the players had signed with their A-League teams last November and with the old NSL finishing last April the wait has been truly very long.
Carl Veart kicked off the new A-League with the first touch off the ball, it must off inspired him as he went to have shots at goal in the 8th min, the 13th min then he scored the first goal in the A-League in the 19th min with a header from a Ross Aloisi cross as Adelaide United dominated the opening 19 mins of play.
The Newcastle Jets played some nice football in the first half, but they played a slow possession game which Adelaide United was often able to break down and launch quick counter attacks. It was in the 14th min when they created their first chance a Nick Carle pass to Mark Bridge who had his shot blocked, in the 17th min Carle to Ned Zelic who found Bridge whose low cross to Milicic was cut out by Daniel Beltrame.
In the 20th min saw a rapid 3 shots at goal by the Jets inside the penalty area but the Adelaide defenders were back in numbers and were able to clear. The 25th min saw a Carle shot from 20 metres out go narrowly post the keepers left upright.
On the half hour a soft Craig Deans back pass almost saw Veart in on goal and in the 35min a Veart goal bound shot was deflected away.
In the 43min a Matt Thompson run to the byline brought a cross to Milicic but he miss hit his volley and the ball rolled out.
In the second half the Jets needed to be quicker and smarter to breakdown a well organized Adelaide United defence, in front of a very good home crowd of 13,162 fans which saw the introduction of the 'Squardon' a large group of home supporters who stand on the Southern end of the EAS. Unfortunately for the home fans the Jets were either quick or smart in the second half.
Adelaide were picking up all the loose balls in the mid field and in the 56th min Richard Alagich's low shot saw a Liam Reddy diving save. The 57th min saw a great Lucas Pantelis run and cross for Veart who shot was deflected wide.
Travis Dodd was full of running and his 68th min shot was saved by Reddy. The 73rd min saw a Carle cross for an Allan Picken header that went straight to Beltrame.
The 74 min saw Veart shot over the bar from 15 metres, and then a Richard Johnson shot from a Carle pass saw a good save from Beltrame.
The final 15 mins brought further frustration for the home fans as the Jets couldn't break down the Adelaide defence, Angelo Costanzo was having a wonderful game and it was Adelaide who looked more likely to score with Dodd 77th min and Aloisi 83rd min bringing out great saves from Reddy with fierce attempts.
The night ended with a Carle cross for Jade North who was just wide much to the annoyance of the home fans.
What the coaches had to say:
Richard Money (Newcastle):
'Best team won on the night'. "We weren't clever, not enough craft to get though defence'. "No width first half, no room for Zelic to move' 'A great turn out tonight ... I am sure in two weeks there will be a bigger turn out for the visit of Sydney FC'. 'We have to learn to move the ball quicker'.
John Kosmina (Adelaide):
'We have been steadily improving'. 'We pressured them very well.' 'Our defence was clever.' 'Tonight's performance by Carl Veart will silence some critics'