Sydney FC have shared the spoils with Melbourne City in a 0-0 draw at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
In their first draw of the season, Harrison Devenish-Meares excelled in net producing nine saves and a clean sheet to boast too.
Melbourne City FC 0 drew w. 0 Sydney FC
Moments That Mattered
10’ | TISSERAND DENIED – Following a half cleared corner, Marcel Tisserand attempts a volley and he sees his chance saved by Beach.
62’ | DEVENISH-MEARES SAVES – Harrison Devenish-Meares puts his body on the line with a point blank save with his face from a tight angle.
85’ | SOUPRAYEN CHANCE – The City defender finds himself unmarked at the back post but can’t direct his header on target with the goal gaping.
90’+3 | WOOD CHANCE – Patrick Wood breaks through the City defence late on but his shot is saved at close-range by Beach.
Match Report
Sydney FC have shared the points with Melbourne City following a dogged defensive display at AAMI Park.
Melbourne City were largely restricted to shots from outside the area in the opening 45 with Harrison Devenish-Meares scurrying across his line to deny the hosts on multiple occasions.
At the other end, Marcel Tisserand saw his chance saved using the chest of City goalkeeper Pat Beach and later in the half, Paul Okon Jnr was also denied from range by the shot stopper following his shot.
In the second half, City piled on more pressure on the visitors and once again Devenish-Meares came up on top, the best of all being a point blank save from a tight angle.
The number 12 stood tall and saw the ball come clean off his face following a strong hit from Aziz Behich and there would be no way through for the hosts.
Al Hassan Toure had a chance on the counter attack that went wide of the far post as he attempted to curl one in and at the other end Samuel Souprayen should have put the home side ahead with an un-marked header from a corner, however the Frenchman was unable to direct his header on target.
Following two City injuries late on, Sydney piled on the pressure with all substitution windows used up and almost found the winner from substitute Pat Wood, however Pat Beach was up to the challenge in the final moments of stoppage time.
Now the Sky Blues will have one more game to conclude this six game road trip which comes against Macarthur FC before following that up with their return to Allianz Stadium against Wellington Phoenix.
What They Said: Ufuk Talay
“We didn’t want to sit that deep and give them that much ball but we did know that they are a possession based team and they like to knock the ball around so we knew we could hit them on the counter.
“We take a point away from Melbourne City but in the decision making we didn’t make the right choices sometimes but overall there are some good moments that we can work on”
What They Said: Harrison Devenish-Meares
“I think we got away with one there but I know that that point against City in Melbourne could become very important at the back end of the season.
“I knew that Aziz Behich shoots high from that angle so I just stood tall and wore that in the face but that happens from time to time and is part of the life of a goalkeeper.”
Sydney FC | 12. Harrison DEVENISH-MEARES, 23. Rhyan GRANT (c), 32. Marcel TISSERAND, 5. Alex GRANT, 17. Ben GARRUCIO, 36. Rhys YOULLEY (60’ 6. Corey HOLLMAN), 24. Paul OKON-ENGSTLER, 11. Abel WALATEE (71’ 44. Akol AKON), 7. Piero QUISPE, 35. Al-Hassan TOURE (86’ 20. Tiago QUINTAL), 9. Victor CAMPUZANO (86’ 13. Patrick WOOD)
Unused Subs | 30. Alexander ZAVERDINOS, 8. Wataru KAMIJO, 41. Alexandar POPOVIC.
Head Coach | Ufuk TALAY
Yellow Cards | N/A
Red Cards | N/A
Melbourne City FC | 1. Patrick BEACH, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 22. German FERREYRA (86’ 44. Besian KUTLESHI), 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 27. Kai TREWIN, 47. Kavian RAHMANI, 30. Andreas KUEN (81’ 38. Beckham BAKER), 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 15. Andrew NABBOUT (77’ 17. Max CAPUTO), 35. Medin MEMETI (77’ 10. Takeshi KANAMORI)
Unused Subs | 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN, 4. Liam BONETIG, 19. Zane SCHREIBER
Head Coach | Aurelio VIDMAR
Yellow Cards | 22. German FERREYRA 14’, 30. Andreas KUEN 49’, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN 80’
Red Cards | N/A
Venue | AAMI Park
Referee | Shaun EVANS
Attendance: 5035
