Superhuman Roar keeper Young extends Sky Blues’ winless streak
A superhuman effort from Brisbane goalkeeper Jamie Young has extended Sydney FC’s winless streak to four games.
A superhuman effort from Brisbane goalkeeper Jamie Young has extended Sydney FC’s winless streak to four games, just as their stuttering title defence appeared be jolted back to life by starlet Luke Ivanovic
Ivanovic’s stunning, curling first-half strike saved Sydney’s blushes in a 1-1 draw on Monday night in Newcastle – but it could’ve been so much more had it not been for an outstanding night in goals from Young, who produced a string of extraordinary second-half saves to earn his team a point.
Despite clinching the Premier’s Plate with four games to go, Sydney have been far below their best since the league’s resumption last month – enduring their longest winless streak in four years.
And for large chunks of the contest, it was Brisbane who looked the more likely championship threat on the back of an inspired performance from youngster Dylan Wenzel-Halls until Ivanovic stole the spotlight.
In the shadows of halftime, Ivanovic turned on a dime and curled a shot through a handful of Brisbane defenders into the top corner – leaving Young, for the only time in the match, looking on in amazement.
The 20-year-old did not return after the halftime break having succumbed to severe cramp in his left leg.
Sydney missed his enterprising attack but will feel hard done after forcing four second-half saves from Young as they peppered the Brisbane goal.
With 20 minutes remaining, the 34-year-old Young produced a remarkable double save – denying both Alex Baumjohann and Adam le Fondre in one sweeping attack – to frustrate the league leaders.
The early exchanges were dominated by Brisbane who went ahead after just 11 minutes through Dylan Wenzel-Hells, who pounced on a superb ball by Jay O’Shea before producing a delightful chip to beat Sky Blues’ keeper Andrew Redmayne.
The 22-year-old went close to sealing a double in as many minutes when he skipped through some flimsy defence from Luke Brattan and Ryan McGowan, before Patrick Flottmann – in his first start for Sydney FC – came up with a last-ditch tackle.
Redmayne’s hands were stung again when Matthew Ridenton fired off a shot late in the half as Brisbane asserted their dominance, before Ivanovic turned the game – and Sydney’s faltering form – on its head with a magnificent strike.
Brattan told Fox Sports that Sydney weren’t where they needed to be with just one game left before the finals, and coach Steve Corica agreed with him.
“He’s right. He’s very honest with what he’s said there,” Corica said.
“We need to finish off our chances, for one. We need to create more chances. We can be better with the ball as well.
“Defensively we need to stop leaking goals, we’re conceding a goal pretty much every game at the moment. There’s a little bit of work to do there defensively, but it’s starting to come back.”
Corica then laid down the challenge for his troops, insisting that Sydney’s last regular season fixture – against Western United on Saturday – would determine who features in the finals.
“Another massive game, against Western, because they really need to win as well,” Corica said. “And all the boys need to be prepared for that. If they want to get a starting spot in the finals they need to perform.”
Roar coach Warren Moon was pleased with his side’s defensive efforts, and praised the continued bright form of Wenzel-Halls.
“He’s been good the last three games – he’s been creating the same chances, getting into the right areas and tonight was a good reward for him,” Moon said.
The Daily Telegraph
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