A-League: Sky Blues frustrated as Adelaide thwarts attack

You don’t stay unbeaten and top of the table without some consequences, as Sydney FC found out on Saturday night.

Sydney’s Milos Ninkovic and Adelaide United’s Marcelo Carrusca pursue a loose ball at Allianz Stadium. Picture: Mark Evans.

You don’t stay unbeaten and top of the table without some consequences, as Sydney FC found out in their grim 0-0 draw with Adelaide United on Saturday night.

This was Sydney’s poorest performance of the season as they failed to break down a resolute ­Adelaide side that came up with the perfect tactics to nullify what had been a potent home team attack in the opening seven rounds.

Granted, they got some poor service but the Sky Blues’ marquee men, Filip Holosko and Bobo, were ineffective. Both were substituted by coach Graham Arnold. Holosko showed his frustration, not with Arnold, by slamming a water bottle to the ground as he sat down on the bench.

Given the impressive start to the season, six wins and two draws, Arnold understands the chasing pack are all desperate to knock Sydney from their perch and that most will sit back against his team.

“This was about two desperate teams trying to win,’’ Arnold said.

“They might be bottom of the table but they have good quality, passionate players. But there were a lot of fouls and they took the tempo out of the game. Every time we tried to get going there was a foul. They took their time with the throw-ins and goal kicks and slowed the game down a lot.

“We were trying to win the game and they were trying not to lose.

“It is something we will have to work hard on to try and combat.’’

Still, Arnold said his team wasn’t on top of its game. “The players are disappointed in their own performance,’’ he said. “They still tried to go forward and dictate the game and I’m happy with the effort they put in.

“Every team is lifting against us, so we have to lift as well.

“Adelaide hit a lot of long balls and we were not fantastic on the second ball. A point is better than zero and we move forward.’’

While the Sydney defence is going great guns with Alex Wilkinson and Matt Jurman in outstanding form, the attack is struggling. They failed to take advantage of a number of chances in the draw with Brisbane Roar last week and there was little on offer on Saturday night aside from a blown opportunity from Holosko.

Arnold defended Bobo and Holosko.

“They are both working extremely hard for the team, but the didn’t get the service. It is something we have to work on, but I am very happy with both of them,’’ he said.

“Filip picked up a knock that was causing him problems and that was the frustration showing from him (when he got replaced). But he will bounce back.”

Adelaide assistant coach Pau Marti, standing in for the suspended Gui Amor, was delighted with the performance of the team.

“To get the point here is a good result,’’ Marti said.

“We planned for the three points, but the way we played, we deserved to get all the points because we had the chances. We had our first clean sheet. If you do that it means you will get points.’’