Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay was disappointed with his team “switching off” at a vital time as the Sky Blues blew the chance to move to the top of the A-League ladder after again failing to get the better of Auckland FC on Saturday.
The Sky Blues remain without a win over the Black Knights, who won 1-0 at Go Media Stadium courtesy of a first-half goal from Sam Cosgrove.
Instead of the Sky Blues moving into first place, it’s an Auckland side coached by former Sydney mentor Steve Corica that has done so, at least until Sunday, when the in-form Newcastle Jets can recapture top spot with a win or a draw in their clash against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium. Sydney skipper Rhyan Grant was frustrated with the outcome of the contest.
“In the second-half we knocked on the door but we couldn’t get there in the end,” Grant told Sky Sport New Zealand.
“We’re not really happy with the result. We’re disappointed.”
Sydney was constantly troubled by Auckland’s long throws, and it led to the hosts taking the lead in the 20th minute.
The Sky Blues defence failed to properly deal with a ball thrown deep into their penalty area, with a subsequent cross from Francis de Vries finding Auckland skipper Hiroki Sakai, whose header across the face of goal was pounced on by English striker Cosgrove, who netted from close range to score his seventh goal of the season.
Sam Cosgrove celebrates after scoring for Auckland FC against Sydney FC. Picture: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
“I’m disappointed with the way we conceded, from a long throw, second phase, we switch off, we don’t clear the ball, we don’t stay with the player and we allow a simple tap-in to happen,” Talay said.
“The boys worked hard to chase the game, to get something out of the game ... but I don’t think we created enough clear cut chances to get something from the game.”
Another long throw, this time from Sakai, in the 22nd minute caused further havoc for Sydney, with Auckland midfielder Louis Verstraete rising to connect with a goal-bound header that Sky Blues goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares tipped over the crossbar.
Some less impressive work from the Sydney gloveman in the 26tth minute in attempting to deal with yet another long throw from Sakai almost led to a second goal from Cosgrove,
However, Sky Blues midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler came to the visitors’ rescue, clearing the ball to safety just as Cosgrove was about to double Auckland’s lead following the fumble from Devenish-Meares.
But Devenish-Meares produced an outstanding save on the hour mark to deny Cosgrove, who seemed certain to score with a header from a Marlee Francois cross.
Auckland gloveman Michael Woud also came up trumps for his side with a fine first-half save to deny Sydney’s Spanish striker Victor Campuzano.
Sydney FC substitute Joe Lolley calls for the ball during his team’s 1-0 loss to Auckland FC. Picture: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
**Post-to-post**
With Auckland leading 1-0 in the 54th minute, both teams were denied by the woodwork in the space of an amazing 60 seconds.
The sequence of play started when Sydney midfielder Tiago Quintal, who scored twice in his side’s 4-1 derby win over the Wanderers a week earlier, was denied an equaliser with a left-footed shot that crashed into the post.
The Black Knights pounced on the loose ball, launching a counter-attack that led to Uruguayan substitute Guillermo May having the chance to increase his team’s lead.
However, May’s left-footed strike was also foiled by the post after beating Devenish-Meares.
May also hit the same post in the 85th minute as the hosts pushed for a second goal.
**Lolley on bench again**
In his second match back from a hamstring injury, Sydney’s English star Joe Lolley again had to be content with an appearance off the bench,
Having played for the final 20 minutes of the Sky Blues’ win over the Wanderers last Saturday, the influential winger came on at the start of the second-half in Auckland as a replacement for teenager Akol Akon.
Sydney coach Ufuk Talay started with the same 11 that played from the opening whistle against the Wanderers, meaning midfielder Rhys Youlley also had to be content with a spot among the substitutes in his return from a two-game suspension.