While he didn’t agree with some of the referees’ decisions, Western Sydney Wanderers caretaker coach Hayden Foxe paid tribute to the intensity shown by his players in their 2-2 draw with Sydney FC.
Wanderers were two up inside the first 30 minutes, but were pegged back by the Sky Blues who almost won it at the end with Matt Simon missing a golden chance late on.
But Foxe focussed on the positives after his first Sydney Derby as a head coach.
“We played well. We won the second balls, we competed really well. It was a real derby performance,” he told Fox Sports.
“The boys were resilient throughout. They rolled their sleeves up – which you expect in a derby – and we played some real fluent football.
“Both full backs were good. Our wingers and midfield and back four. Everyone contributed and played their part in the whole game.”
The Wanderers certainly caught the eye for the most part of the game, though Foxe questioned the penalty call against Chris Herd that got Sydney back into the game at 2-1.
The display by the red and black was a welcome return to form after last week’s underwhelming 2-2 with Central Coast.
“We’re improving. We had a really good pre-season and we’re building week by week.
“We under-performed last week [against Central Coast]. We know that,” Foxe conceded.
“So what better then to have a back up and play a derby. Unfortunately we didn’t get the three points…”
Wanderers now must recover and prepare for Tuesday night’s FFA Cup semi final with the Reds at Campbelltown.
If they win, they’ll face Sydney FC in a Cup final Sydney Derby.
