A 1-1 first-leg semi-final draw has Sydney FC coach Patrick Kisnorbo optimistic about the direction of his team.
The battle to advance to the Isuzu Ute A-League Grand Final remains evenly poised despite Sydney FC outpossessing and outshooting Newcastle on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
Kisnorbo, now on a six-game undefeated run since taking charge in late March, said his players “gave everything”.
Match Report: Sydney FC 1-1 Newcastle Jets
““The performance was great,” Kisnorbo said post-match.
“I think that’s probably been our best performance since I’ve been here, which is fantastic.
“Scored a pretty good goal…lack of concentration for the equaliser.
“We want to be a bit more aggressive with the way we play, and we did that great tonight.
“Tonight they showed they can do that for 90-minutes plus and it’s pleasing to see.
“I don’t like to change too much, we have a way we want to do things, an identity, and whether we play home or away we have to carry on that identity.”
Newcastle Jets coach Mark Milligan said he was “not over the moon” with the result.
“But we’ll take it, ” Milligan said.
“You’d love to control every game with the ball more, a little bit sloppy, but that’s more down to the week off to be honest.
“We had to adjust a few things at half time in terms of press.
“The tie was never going to be decided tonight.
“We’re always in a game because we stay true to who we are.”
The second leg at McDonald Jones Stadium will kick off at 7:40pm AEST on Saturday May 16.
Match Report: Sydney FC 1-1 Newcastle Jets
