With history in the making, Adelaide upset the Newcastle Jets 1-0 at EnergyAustralia Stadium to get soccer's new A-League off to a rousing start.

More than 16 months since the demise of the National Soccer League, former Socceroo Carl Veart wrote his name in the history books by scoring the first goal of the new league as the visitors surprised the Jets early to take all three points in the milestone match.

Football Federation Australia powerbrokers Frank Lowy and John O'Neill had set the goal of achieving 10,000-plus crowds for the new season, and Newcastle delivered at its first attempt as all the hype and talk about the A-League finally gave way to on-field action.

Veart forever left his mark when he headed home a pin-point Ross Aloisi cross in the 19th minute.

The Adelaide striker split Jets defenders Allan Picken and Jade North with a scything run into the penalty box before flicking Aloisi's chip passed keeper Liam Reddy to give his side a deserved lead.

Newcastle's best chance of an equaliser came just two minutes later when Mark Bridge, Matthew Thompson and Ante Milicic each struck blows inside the penalty box.

The first two were brilliantly saved by United keeper Daniel Beltrame, with defender Adam van Dommele eventually clearing the area.

Adelaide were expected to struggle with their marquee player, ex-Chinese international striker Qu Shengquing (knee), out injured.

But the visitors created more chances in the game and probably should have sealed the win with another goal in the second half.

Despite having key striker Milicic back from injury, the Jets failed to really fire up forward.

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