Sydney FC’s winless run has extended to four games after some more Jamie Young brilliance ensured Brisbane Roar earned a 1-1 draw at McDonald Jones Stadium on Monday night.
Dylan Wenzel-Halls gave Roar an early lead before another youngster – Sky Blues winger Luke Ivanovic – levelled the scores with a cracker before the break.
Both sides created some great chances in the second half but were denied by some superb keeping to ensure they had to settle for a point.
Young was particularly impressive for Roar, making a number of impressive stops including an unbelievable triple save 17 minutes from time that underlined his importance to Warren Moon’s side.
It was Brisbane’s last match before they play an Elimination Final in 12 days’ time, with the Queenslander’s currently in fourth spot, although they could fall to fifth if Perth Glory beat Western United FC on Wednesday.
And they head into the finals in decent nick, currently on a three-game unbeaten run.
It’s a different story for Premiers’ Sydney FC, who haven’t won since their first game back since the competition’s resumption, a 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix on July 17.
The Sky Blues have one game still to play – against Western United on Saturday – where they will be presented with the Premiers’ Plate.
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Key moments
Dream start for the Roar
There was a strong wind behind the backs of Brisbane and they made the most of it as Wenzel-Halls broke through inside 11 minutes.
Jay O’Shea’s forward pass may have been intended for Scott McDonald but the ball made it’s way in behind the Sky Blues defence and into the path of the speedy attacker.
And Wenzel-Halls showed great composure to produce a clever dinked finish over Andrew Redmayne for a superb goal.
Almost a quickfire second for DWH
Buoyed by that sensational opener, Wenzel-Halls almost doubled his tally within a couple of minutes.
Charging onto a Corey Brown pass, Wenzel-Halls had too much strength for Luke Brattan before breaking into the box and playing the ball through the legs of Ryan McGowan.
And just as it looked like he would stroke it past the Sky Blues keeper again, the striker saw his shot blocked by Patrick Flottman.
What a response from Ivanovic!
Just minutes after being denied by the woodwork, Ivanovic did get his name on the scoresheet…and it was a ripper.
The 20-year-old received the ball in the box and was able to take a touch and turn slightly to face the goal.
Despite being closed down by a couple of defenders, Ivanovic looked up and curled an exquisite strike into the far top corner, with Jamie Young rooted to the spot.
Ninko almost picks out the top corner
Sydney FC boss Steve Corica had the luxury of bringing Milos Ninkovic off the bench at half-time and it was the Serbian who almost put his side in front on the hour mark.
A flowing team move ended with Ninkovic picking up the ball in the middle of the field about 25 yards from goal.
The playmaker attempted to curl a strike into the top corner, forcing an excellent full-stretch save from Young to parry the ball away to safety.
Young with astonishing triple save
How did that not go in?
That’s what both sides must have been thinking after an unbelievable sequence 17 minutes from time, with Young adding to his extensive highlights reel with an incredible triple save.
First he blocked the shot of Alexander Baumjohann, before Ninkovic played it back across goal to the German who had a second effort denied by Young before the ball deflected off the back of a defender and back into the keeper’s grateful arms.
Next match
- Sydney FC v Western United FC
When: Saturday, August 15
Where: Leichhardt Oval
Kick-off: 5pm AEST
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