Young and restless: Sydney FC frustrated by Roar goalkeeper in draw
A dazzling performance by Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young extended Sydney FC's winless streak to four games after a 1-1 draw at McDonald Jones Stadium on Monday night.
An improved performance may have been heart-warming for the Sky Blues but they are still desperately searching for some much-needed form before the finals series after struggling to find a way past an inspired Young.
Tom Aldred and Adam Le Fondre clash.Credit:Getty
The Roar goalkeeper pulled off five saves, including a spectacular late double-block to deny Alex Baumjohann.
"He kept them in the game, unfortunately for us," Sydney coach Steve Corica said. "We dominated the game but they were very difficult conditions for us out there tonight."
Monday night was arguably Sydney's best performance since the A-League's resumption yet they were still some way off their dizzying heights before the competition's hiatus in March.
In what has become a constant since the league's resumption, the Sky Blues defence was anything but water tight. Young Brisbane striker Dylan Wenzel-Halls exposed their defensive frailties early in the match, using his rapid pace to make light work of his experienced marker, Ryan McGowan.
Latching on to a through-ball from Brisbane's Jay O'Shea, Wenzel-Hall beat McGowan for pace to hone in on goal, chipping Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne from close range to make it 1-0 in the 11th minute.
Wenzel-Hall nearly had a second two minutes later. After a nutmeg on McGowan, the 22-year-old was denied a goal by a desperate lunge from Sydney's Patrick Flottman, who got a toe on the end of the shot to deflect it narrowly wide.
Jamie Young makes another save at McDonald Jones Stadium.Credit:Getty
Sydney weren't much more impressive going forward, at least collectively. A lack of cohesion prevented many clear chances. It meant youngster Luke Ivanovic had to take matters into his own hands. A darting solo run after the half-hour mark nearly restored parity as Ivanovic dribbled past two players before hitting the post from an acute angle.
Minutes later, the 20-year-old went one better. With seemingly nothing on offer, Ivanovic created space with his first touch before opening his body to shoot with his second, rattling the far corner of the net to draw level. It was to be his last impact on the match - he did not return in the second half after sustaining a calf injury.
Sydney played with more purpose in attack in the second half and more precision in their passing while the introduction of Milos Ninkovic added some class to their play. His long-range strike on the hour mark was denied by a fine save from Young.
However, a lack of cohesion in attack remained a problem for the Sky Blues. A poor decision from Adam Le Fondre to square to Kosta Barbarouses instead of shooting himself whilst free in the box let Brisbane off the hook in the 68th minute.
However, they had only luck and Young to blame for not taking the lead shortly after. Young pulled-off a superb reflex save to deny Baumjohann from close range before reacting quickly to palm away the German's follow-up and then having the loose ball ricochet off a teammate and back into the goalkeeper's arms.
It was just enough to secure a point for the Roar and keep Sydney searching for a win.