NEWCASTLE, NSW (Interstat) — The Newcastle Jets opened their A-League season with a 2-1 victory over Western Sydney W on Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Substitute Bozhidar Kraev opened the scoring for the visitors in the 20th minute. The Jets responded before halftime, with Eli Adams equalizing in the 47th. Defender Mark Natta headed home the decisive goal in the 77th minute, assisted by fellow substitute Dylan Scicluna. Scicluna and Western Sydney’s Phillip Čančar each received yellow cards in the second half.

The result defied Interstat’s pre-game projection of a 1-1 draw. The Jets began their campaign with a win, while Western Sydney W started with a loss.