Boumal Doubles A-League Tally With Brace Against Phoenix

Olivier Boumal doubled his A-League season tally with a match brace after scoring in the 51st and 64th minutes against Phoenix on Friday, March 18.

The Newcastle Jets produced a ruthless second-half performance to thrash Wellington Phoenix 4-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.

After going into the sheds at half-time locked at nil-all, Newcastle opened the floodgates in the second period to secure a crucial win and move within striking range of the top six.

shortly after Boumal doubled, Beqa Mikeltadze made it 3-0 with his ninth goal this campaign in the 67th and substitute Eli Babalj completed the rout with an 83rd minute header.

The result came after three losses in the space of eight days. It moved the Jets to 18 points and eighth place, just three points behind Wellington in seventh and Newcastle’s next opponents Sydney in sixth.

As well as a masterclass in scoring and attack, the Jets were desperate in defence and recorded just their third clean sheet of the season.

It was the first clean sheet for Newcastle goalkeeper Michael Weier, who played just his third A-League match on Friday night.

As has been the case in most outings this season, Newcastle had the better of the chances in their first half and frustrations were starting to show before half-time.

But Boumal broke the deadlock when he buried the rebound off teammate Daniel Penha’s long-range shot into the top right corner of the net from around the penalty spot. Phoenix shot-stopper Alex Paulsen denied Penha but could not stop Boumal’s left-footed strike.

The Cameroon international completed a match double when he drove the ball from the top of the box into the bottom right corner in the 64th. It was his fourth goal of the season, coupled with 2 assists.

Boumal lifted the weight had been lifted off the Jets’ shoulders and confidence skyrocketed.

Penha found Mikeltadze in the box in the 67th and the Jets’ leading scorer cut the ball inside a defender and onto his left foot to finish into the bottom left corner.

Dylan Murnane then floated a cross into the box for Babalj to finish from close range with seven minutes of regulation time remaining.

Newcastle are back at home at McDonald Jones Stadium next Friday night when they host Sky Blues.