APFA 2020 – Quarter Final #1

Summary

The second quarter final played on the first day of finals featured the top team from the group stage, Newcastle Jets playing off against the Western Sydney Wanders.

Both teams featured international marquee players. Natalie Russo from Team USA lined up for the Wanderers and Brad Bates from England representing the Jets.

The match started with balanced play both teams mixing it up in the centre of the court. Four minutes in featured the first significant point with Andy Waite colliding with Dimitri Liolio-Davis triggering a penalty for Newcastle. Liolio-Davis took the shot edging in the right side opening the scoring for the Jets.

Three minutes later the Jets were on the board again. Dimitri Liolio-Davis took a free kick following a two-on-one which flew across the top of the area, Brad Bates on the end of it spinning the ball through the centre of the goals to double the lead.

Against the run of play, Luke David broke free out of defence and with a rebound shot send the ball from within his own half through the goals. Newcastle playing with an attacking four had no one back and nothing to stop the goal. The Wanderers back in it with five minutues to play in the first half.

After the break, the Wanderers came out with renewed vigour, Luke David bossing the midfield. An even tussel ensued as the minutes ticked by. Five minutes gone, then ten, then fifteen. The match-up between these two teams certainly not reflecting their rankings of 1st and 8th going into the match. The minutes and seconds on the scoreboard finally reached zero with no further scores.

The Western Sydney Wanderers progressing to the Semi Final with a 2-1 win.