Honours ended even in Sunday afternoon’s clash at Suncorp Stadium as Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix played out a frustrating 0-0 stalemate.
A golden opportunity squandered by Phoenix’s Steven Taylor proved the costliest miss of an encounter that saw both teams lack a clinical edge in the penalty area.
There were standout performances from Eric Bautheac and Roy Krishna, but neither the Roar play-maker or Kiwi flyer could inspire their side to a deadlock-breaking moment.
After starting the Mark Rudan era with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle in Round 1, the visitors began with purpose but spurned a glorious chance to open the scoring when Taylor side-footed against the post unmarked at the back stick.
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HOW????
Is this the miss of the season from Steven Taylor? #ALeague #BRIvWEL
? @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/ga9RS2s2N4
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) October 28, 2018
Taylor’s early contender for miss of the season would be the closest either side would come, with Brisbane gloveman Jamie Young and Wellington keeper Filip Kurto largely untroubled.
However, there was no shortage of attacking enterprise from both sides. Roar striker Adam Taggart nearly got on the end of Connor O’Toole’s cross with an outstretched leg while at the other end Roy Krishna saw his cutback roll agonisingly across the six-yard box after wriggling his way to the by-line.
The two sides continued to trade blows in the second stanza but struggled to create chances of merit, with Kurto pulling off a stunning save from Roar’s Alex Lopez in stoppage time to ensure a share of the spoils – the fourth consecutive draw between the teams.
