The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers remain undefeated at Spotless Stadium but would have wanted all three points after a dominant display in a 1-1 draw against Brisbane Roar.
After three draws in their opening three matches at Spotless, the Red & Black earned another point through a second half goal from Japanese import Jumpei after Jamie Maclaren opened the scoring for Brisbane from the penalty spot.
In the club’s annual White Ribbon match to end violence against women, the Red & Black started well and could have had the lead in the opening minutes after a raft of early chances.
The best of the opportunities fell to Mitch Nichols when an impressive Scott Neville cross found the midfielder’s head but Brisbane’s Michael Theo was able to make the save.
Jack Clisby and Bruno Piñatares both had opportunities for the Wanderers before Jerrad Tyson was called into duty with a tidy save from a Roar counter-attack.
It mattered little though as the Roar had the lead only minutes later after Tyson’s lunge collected Maclaren in the box with the striker converting his own penalty.
Despite the setback the Red & Black went straight back on the attack with both Nicolás Martínez and Nichols all having shots saved before the break. It didn’t take long into the second half for the Wanderers to restore parity with Jumpei scoring his first goal since joining the club.
Club captain Dimas played a lovely ball to Jack Clisby with the over-lapping fullback putting the ball on a plate for the Japanese winger to tap-in.
It was a deserved goal for both the Wanderers and the winger and from that point on the Red & Black looked the most likely victors.
Martínez – who was a constant threat all night – almost created a goal out of nothing as his bending shot from distance forced Theo into one of the saves of the season before Santalab should have given the Wanderers the lead.
With the ball starting in their own defensive third, an impressive passing display saw the Red & Black work the ball up the field with Martínez teeing up Santalab only for his shot to go over the bar.
Martínez again had an attempt soon after, almost bamboozling Theo with his effort before Santalab had two shots land just wide as the match finished 1-1.
The result gives the Wanderers their fifth draw of the season. Next week the Red & Black take on Central Coast Mariners at Central Coast Stadium: 5:35pm kick-off on Saturday.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Jumpei 56’)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Jamie Maclaren 18’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Jerrad Tyson (GK), Scott Neville, Jonathan Aspropotamitis, Artiz Borda, Jack Clisby, Bruno Piñatares (Kearyn Baccus), Dimas (C), Mitch Nichols (Steve Lustica), Jumpei, Nicolás Martínez, Kerem Bulut (Brendon Santalab)
Unused subs: Andrew Redmayne (GK), Brendan Hamill
