Sydney FC’s poor finishing has cost them points for the second match in succession after losing 1-0 to Western United in a match they largely controlled.
After squandering several clear chances in the draw against Wellington on the weekend, the Sky Blues were bemoaning their rustiness in the final third after firing blanks once more despite mustering 17 attempts on goal.
Steven Lustica is congratulated after scoring the winner against Sydney FC.Credit:Getty
In truth, it wasn’t just their finishing that let them down. Their final pass, delivery and decision-making was just as problematic. In what has been a regular problem for the Sky Blues this season, they had most of the ball and territory but failed to turn that into any more than an impressive statistic.
The muggy conditions in Melbourne stifled the tempo. It took until midway through the first half for the first meaningful shot on goal to emerge when Sydney’s Paulo Retre fired from distance to test Jamie Young in the Western United goal.
Despite the sapping heat, Western United remained difficult to break down. Sydney dominated possessionand had 13 shots to four by half-time, most of which were blocked ornullified by desperate United defending.
Sydney offered the league leaders little in the way of chances. Their first and only real chance of the half came seven minutes before the break through Adisu Bayew, but his shot from inside the box was comfortably saved by a well-positioned Andrew Redmayne.
Having been so disciplined in the first half, the signs of fatigue began to creep into the Sky Blues backline and defender Ben Warland came within centimetres of conceding an own goalwith a miscued clearance that beat Redmayne but not the crossbar.
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A potential injury knee for Sydney midfielder Anthony Caceres was a blow for Sydney, especially with a grand final rematch against Melbourne on Saturday. Their woes worsened in the 67th minute with a more immediate concern. A clever back heel from United striker Aleksandar Prijovic played Steven Lustica into space and the midfielder left Redmayne helpless as he curled the ball into the top corner of the net with a well-placed finish.
Western substitute Dylan Wenzel-Halls should have sealed the result with two chances in the dying minutes. However, a tame shot from close range and another one-on-one fired wide shortly after gave Sydney a glimmer of hope of an equaliser.
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Sydney FC draw blanks again in loss to Western United
Source: Philippines Alive
