Another game has passed and yet again Sydney have been left wondering what might have been after they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw with Wellington at Westpac Stadium in game that will mostly be remembered for the high number of yellow cards than the actual football on display. Sydney’s attacking woes continued as they created numerous chances all game but failed to capitalize, with only a brilliant run and curling shot past Phoenix keeper Glen Moss by Slovak marquee Filip Holosko providing the only goal for the Sky Blues.
The first fifteen minutes started at a frantic pace, with chances being created at both ends of the park. Wellington had the early chance through Jeffrey Sarpong but his sliding pass to Roy Krishna was unsuccessful. Down the other end, Sydney were denied a penalty when a cross from Matt Simon appeared to deflect off Wellington captain Andrew Durante’s arm, although replays showed it to be completely accidental. Sydney continued to probe through the likes of Milos Ninkovic and Sebastian Ryall all having chances, but were denied by excellent goalkeeping by Glen Moss, who was unlucky not to pick up the Man of the Match award for his phenomenal display. The best chance for Sydney came just before half-time, as young gun Brandon O’Neill, back in the starting squad after missing the previous few games through injury, curling a thunderous free-kick from just outside the area onto the woodwork with Moss no chance of saving.
The second-half started with a bang for Sydney with another young starlet, Andrew Hoole nutmegging a defender before earning himself a penalty after Phoenix defender Manny Muscat slid in to collect the young winger. Replays appear to show Muscat ‘pulling out’ of the tackle, leaving the players, fans and commentators to ponder whether the penalty was deserved. With regular penalty takers Alex Brosque and Shane Smeltz both missing through injury, it was Hoole who stepped up to take it. However, it was the same old story as Sydney fans around Australia groaned collectively as Moss saved the penalty. It was beginning to feel like deja-vu for Sydney as another scoreless draw loomed. The frustration began to grow from both sides, with players on both teams picking up yellow cards, and the game threatened to boil over. Wellington began to play their trademark attacking style, which provided a test for the concrete Sydney defense, with the attacking trio of Krishna, Sarpong and McGlinchy all peppering Vedran Janjetovic, but he was able to handle all challenges. Roly Bonevacia was kept quiet the whole game, as the Dutch midfielder made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes which threatened his team’s position throughout the game. Finally, as it looked like heading for a scoreless draw, in the 85th minute Sydney’s marquee Holsoko picked up the ball from the right wing, cutting inside and hitting a sweet curling shot past Moss, who up until that point had been in fantastic form. The delight was evident on Holosko’s face, and Sydney appeared to have stolen all three points. But they appeared to forget they had Jacques Faty on their team, as the stand-in captain conceded another late penalty which was duly converted by Roy Krishna and gifting Wellington the draw.
It was a disappointing end to a match which wasn’t dominated by either side, but provided plenty of chances, and easily could’ve been a higher scoring match. Matt Simon impressed on his first start for the club while imports Milos Ninkovic and Filip Holosko played one of their best games for the club so far. Brandon O’Neill continues to impress and looks to be a real star for the future, as does Andrew Hoole, another testament to Graham Arnold’s scouting team looking for the best young Australian talent. Next up is the Central Coast Mariners at home on Boxing Day. The Mariners are currently last, so Sydney have the perfect opportunity to knock off the men from Gosford and climb further up the table. Come on you Sydney Boys!
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