For a game that very nearly didn’t happen, this was a minor classic.
The topline is that Western Sydney Wanderers’ unbeaten record remains after a late Marcus Antonsson header stole a 2-2 draw against Brisbane Roar, though that doesn’t come close to covering it.
The match began an hour late after a storm above Suncorp Stadium saw the start postponed and the game, when it started, played on a sodden, heavy pitch.
That did nothing to deter a Roar side that have quickly become one of the best to watch in the A-League under Ross Aloisi, with the hosts racing into a rapid 2-0 lead through Nikola Mileusnic and Jack Hingert.
They dominated the game, both through incisive passing and a suffocating press, with Wanderers struggling to get out of their half at all.
The visitors also lost captain and defensive lynchpin Marcelo to an injury, forcing a rapid reshuffle amid waves of Roar pressure.
3-0 would have put the game beyond doubt, but after Brisbane spurned multiple chances, Western Sydney were able to take advantage.
That came within 30 seconds of the resumption from Nicolas Milanovic, who fired in from the edge of the box.
Again, the Roar could have run up the score yet further as they created opening after opening, but as the game wore on, the equaliser felt increasingly likely. Antonsson, who had been the most likely all night, was the man to find it.
Even after that drama, there was time for more. Shae Cahill, son of Tim, made his debut and very nearly won it but for a Lawrence Thomas wonder save, before Rylan Brownlie, another Brisbane youngster, had a goal wiped out for offside.
“I’m disappointed that we didn’t get the three points because we created enough chances to score six goals,” said Aloisi.
“In saying that, the pleasing thing is that we’re creating those chances and we’re trying to play football. We came up against a good side and I’m trying to think of how many big saves Macklin Freke made. I know Thomas made three or four.
“It’s pleasing to create those chances but I really would like the players to finish those off.”
Wanderers coach Marko Rudan couldn’t have been prouder of his charges.
“The way we came back in the second half was remarkable,” said Marko Rudan. “It’s never easy against a good outfit, you’re 2-0 down and your captain’s gone off.
“I thought it was a great effort from the players. We needed a reaction right from the outset (of the second half) and we need to be on the front foot and get that first shot on goal. It ended up doing in and then you’ve got a sniff.
“We wanted to keep going and we could have got something in the end, but then so could they. That second half performance is going to be a reference point for the rest of the season.”
The opener could not have been more simple. It was a straight ball from Burke-Gilroy that got Mileusnic free behind Jack Clisby, and finished at near post.
The same man got free just moments later and this time and picked out Hingert to finish.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic. Lachie Brook had an effort from distance tipped behind by Macklin Freke and, from the corner, Marcelo nodded wide.
It would be the centre half and captain’s last involvement, however, as he limped out and, without him, the defence looked even shakier. Waddingham was unlucky not to get the break of the ball after Jez Lofthouse’s cross, while Henry Hore flashed a shot wide.
Western Sydney needed the break, and when they came out after it, looked like a different animal.
The vistors closed the gap almost immediately, with Milanovic smartly controlling a bouncing ball on the edge of the box before slamming past Freke.
It should have been pegged back immediately. Mileusnic was released by Jay O’Shea and twice evaded keeper Laurence Thomas, but when the time came to shoot, could only smash a shot off Clisby’s back.
That dogged defending was needed more and more. Lofthouse, Taras Gomulka and Hore again were all denied by last ditch blocks.
With every miss, Western Sydney took hope and, as the Roar dropped back to hold on, a chance inevitably came.
For the Roar, it will haunt them all weak: substitute Marcus Younis crossed under next-to-no pressure, from which Antonsson was able to nod home.
There was drama yet to come. Cahill’s shot and Brownlie’s late offside goal might have given the game a positive result, but instead, the draw was perhaps fair.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Clearly we’re both watching Waddingham and seeing different things. But I think we’re both in agreement that he’s got genuine potential, his work rate and physicality for a young lad are exceptional, and he is worth the effort. We’re just disagreeing on what return we are seeing. I’m happy that you think you’re seeing enough to have faith. I’m clearly way more cynical and I’m looking for goals, assists, scoring chances created for others, and movement that creates space for others to do all of the above. I’m not seeing very much of that. If any. I think my original post said (although it might have been lower down now) that RA and the coaching team need to be alert to this, young players suffer more extreme dips in confidence than senior players as the weight of expectations grows - especially those that have come through development pathways as they are typically the best in their age groups and used to success as they come up. When success doesn’t follow effort and intent, young lads can put their heads down - we’ve seen it before - and it can be a very deep slump. If I’m right and it’s not corrected Waddingham is dropped to the bench around Christmas. If you’re right, he bangs a few goals, gets a few assists, and the pundits are talking about him post game around Christmas. I hope you are right; I don’t mind being wrong on this or that he/the coaches get to grips with things and the return starts flowing. A Waddingham hat-trick v Adelaide would make me very happy.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
You just said the ball slips under their keeper, well normally its parried, so he was in the right position for the parry , and close to reaching it anyway. if he was 5 meters back dawdling like a Charlie Austin or Scepevic or Layaround then criticism is warranted. In fact you could argue they needed another body in the box coming at the far post. Its not about Waddingham learning because its Brisbane Roar that need to learn that a lazy striker who hardly moves is worth nothing and could be a disaster for a team trying the high press. What I see with Waddingham at the moment is good workrate and press, good positioning, good hold up play. If Roar want to finish last then get a lazy old man like they have last two seasons and earn the wooden spoon with this style.
Waz
Roar Rookie
In what way did Waddingham have a great game - he was largely absent for most of it. I’m up for the debate - list out the 2 or 3 specific moments that you feel contribute to his great game And the one he won’t sleep over is at 2-0 when he was correctly positioned but the ball slips under their keeper and across an unguarded goal line - people have defended it as “unexpected” which it was, but leading the line and you’re offered a toe-poke goal he needs to be getting to those … again, I’m okay with that as a “learning experience”, we all accept that’s what he’s here for, but the lads being talked up too far and his confidence is slipping with each game, he’s lucky to have one effective moment as striker in the 79 minutes he’s on.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Him not “missing big chances” is not the issue - it’s the low number of chances he gets in a side that is creating an abundance of chances.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
If you were totally perplexed its cos its a perplexing rule, especially as different leagues have different interpretations. The rule, of course, is intended to penalise deliberate attempts to interfere with the flight of the ball. - Many incidents lately seem clearly accidental but are ruled differently. It should be "blatant and obvious" but even that is open to interpretation. hard rule to qualify I guess, bit like the offside rule. most incidents that i have seen lately seem purely accidental and some similar situations ruled differently
Waz
Roar Rookie
Like most football supporters they’re having to work harder just to, err, support football - but the sound was excellent in 332 and it sounded like it carried. Pre-game everyone was held back behind the seats due to the lightening danger and The Den fired up the drums and got several chants going - under cover/in an enclosed space it was awesome and they kept it going in all game. It’s noticeable that the smaller factions were back in numbers as well, just need the ‘northern element’ to reform and we’re well and truly back :silly:
Waz
Roar Rookie
I hope I’m wrong too Cahill looked good. There’s a lot right with this side and it’s pleasing to watch.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Watch the replay and watch for Waddingham’s: - best goal attempt (none?) - the best chance he created (none?) - his best pass And I can tell you, if you do the same for the first 5 games it’s a similar picture. Now you and LH need to understand what I’m trying to say - I understand why he’s there (develop and then sell) so if that’s the assignment - try and put together a “sell video” of his first 6 A Lesgue games for a potential buyer and what does it look like? Not impressive, so RA needs to address this. (I like the look of him, but he is the point striker in a 4-2-3-1 so needs to score or create chances, he’s going neither … at least yet)
Waz
Roar Rookie
Yeah, it was. Keeper misjudged his pace and he’s passed him, he then beats the keeper for a second time, finds himself with three defenders covering the goal but instead of placing it he just smashes it in to Clisby’s back
Waz
Roar Rookie
I just watched the replay on P+ Neville’s arm is literally straight down, by his side, tight in to his body, not making his body bigger in any way. It’s this type of debate that gave us VAR.
Paul01
Roar Rookie
Both could have been penalties. The Hendrix incident appeared to be kicked into his hand with the hand by his leg. The impact of the ball made with his arm made it look. I saw Neville's elbow move towards the ball and made his silhouette bigger. I would have no hesitation in issuing a red card and awarding a penalty in that situation at any level of the game for what he did no matter what strip they wear.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
hope you're wrong Waz. Young Cahill was impressive for a first appearance.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
The biggest error by Roar last night was Mileusnic's massive chance missed at the Den end. It never stood out so much on TV, they were off talking about other things and missed much of it, but the keeper was way out of position and goal was wide open.
Garry
Roar Rookie
oops I thought both pens were for WSW !!... I agree Hendrix was a pen under current rules. Neville was a pen under My rules :stoked:
Waz
Roar Rookie
Nevilles arm was in a natural position for someone running, so open your other eye please. If Roar weren’t given an earlier penalty for a shot going in to the bottom corner where the defender has his hand away from his body and, unless he’s a part time tea pot, not in a natural position … if that’s not given then it’s impossible to argue the second should be given (unless you want Sydney sides to be given preferential treatment?).
Waz
Roar Rookie
I’ve seen them both on replay and they’re either both penalties or they’re both not penalties, the ref/var at least were consistent (Like you, no idea what handball is anymore and I’d like to see both given than not tbh)
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
the effort defenders are putting into disrupting his play says a lot, plus his work off the ball, defending and pressing is first class.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Harps went on about distance the ball traveled. He also said Hendrix arm was in a natural position (it was horizontal, extended from his body, hit his hand). Without hesitation he called Neville's a handball. Without hesitation he called Hendrix, no way. I've never seen a Roar handball or potential handball that Harps has not, without hesitation, called 'no way'.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Hendrix's arm extended, away from his body, horizontal, hits his hand, surely a pen. Neville perhaps, but his arm was closer to and parallel with his body. Harper's explanation was rubbish.
Garry
Roar Rookie
it wasnt ruled a handball offence and under the current interpretation I agree...but dont like it!!