Western United huffed and puffed but could not blow the house down in their 0-0 draw with Macarthur Bulls in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Western had plenty of chances in their matchup with the Bulls in Tarneit, but they were forced to share the spoils in Round 7 on Saturday night.
It was a match that saw 24-year-old Western United midfielder Angus Thurgate reach 150 Isuzu UTE A-League appearances – the youngest ever player to do so.
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“It’s a credit to him to be able to play 150 games so young,” Western head coach John Aloisi told reporters after the game.
“He’s definitely played every minute for us so far this season. He is such a robust player in terms of his body seems to be able to hold. He does a hell of a lot of work and throws his body around.
“He’s improved so much since he’s been here too. He is one of those players who will give you everything, with and without the ball.
“He is becoming that player who is always going to give you a 7/10 and that’s very important to have. I congratulate him on 150 games but I know there’s more to come. Hopefully his career can keep growing and go to another level.”
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With the result, Western improve to six points from seven matches in ninth position – three points outside of the top six, while Macarthur are seventh and one point adrift.
Abel Walatee made his first A-Leagues start as 17-year-old sensation Dylan Leonard returned from suspension, while Macarthur duo Ariath Piol and Tomislav Uskok dropped to the bench.
In windy conditions, Walatee nearly unlocked Macarthur defence after his incredible pass found Riku Danzaki at the back post in the 14th minute but the Japanese winger saw desperate Bulls goalkeeper Filip Kurto somehow keep the ball out of the net on the line.
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At the other end, a powerful long-range strike from Macarthur full-back Kealey Adamson forced a great save from Western shot-stopper Matt Sutton approaching the half-hour mark.
There was a golden opportunity for Hiroshi Ibusuki four minutes later, with the Japanese forward somehow missing the bottom corner of the net as the ball rolled agonisingly wide of the post.
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In the final minute of first-half regulation, Walatee unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area and it was a difficult one for Kurto to handle but the Bulls goalkeeper kept it out.
Western applied sustained pressure in the second half, pressing Macarthur further and further back.
Matt Grimaldi’s mesmerising run almost resulted in a goal but the Western substitute saw his strike go wide of the post in the 68th minute, while Rhys Bozinovski also went close a couple of minutes later.
With nine minutes remaining, Bozinovski’s header was kept out from point-blank range as the Bulls continued to survive.
