Newcastle’s Georgian striker Beka Mikeltadze has unveiled a T-shirt tribute to invasion-hit Ukraine after scoring from the penalty spot in his team’s 2-all A-League Men draw with Macarthur FC.
Mikeltadze’s penalty took his tally to seven goals from 10 games for the Jets this season and cancelled out Tomislav Uskok’s 21st minute opener for Macarthur at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
A wonder strike from Tommy Oar in the second half looked to have secured the Bulls a win but substitute Eli Babalj popped up with a late header to level for the home side.
Newcastle played expansive, attacking football but defensive lapses cost them dearly as their search for back-to-back wins under Arthur Papas goes on.
“I wasn’t aware of it,” he said of Mikeltadze’s celebration.
“He’s from a country where right now there’s a lot of things happening and I know it means a lot to Beka.
“We had more chances ourselves but we need to be more clinical because the game could have been finished if we take our chances.”
Uskok outjumped Jordan Elsey from a Craig Noone corner to give Ante Milicic’s Bulls the lead.
The Jets responded with intensity and, after surviving an onslaught on goal in the 32nd minute, Macarthur relieved some pressure when they moved the ball up field.
As they did so, referee Adam Kersey was called aside for a VAR review after Lachlan Rose had appeared to handle the ball in the Macarthur box.
Kersey pointed to the spot and Mikeltadze slotted past Filip Kurto with ease as he fired to the keeper’s left.
The Georgia striker then ran behind the Macarthur goal, picked up a bag and unfurled a t-shirt bearing the Ukrainian flag.
Mikeltadze was surrounded by his Newcastle teammates as he lifted the T-shirt to the crowd and then placed it on the advertising hoarding behind the Macarthur goal.
Sam Silvera had the chance to double the Jets’ lead but his effort on the stroke of half-time hit the crossbar and bounced clear of play.
Their wastefulness looked to have proved costly when Oar scored a well-cushioned volley on the hour mark after the Jets failed to properly clear the ball.
Newcastle goalkeeper Jack Duncan couldn’t get anywhere near it and Milicic’s men looked to be cruising to victory.
But, Brazilian midfielder Daniel Penha whipped in a cross towards Babalj who headed goalward straight after coming onto the field.
His header deflected off Macarthur defender Liam Rose and past Kurto into the net.
Babalj thought he had given Newcastle a winner in added time but he was called back for offside.
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