That summed up Southern United’s goalless draw at Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday.
It put on a huge defensive display to hold out Oceania Champions League defending champion Team Wellington.
Wellington dominated possession, holding the ball for long periods and forcing Southern to work hard.
But work hard Southern did and Wellington hardly got off a clean shot.
At the other end, the home side made better use of the ball it had and could feel aggrieved to not have gone one up.
A non-decision in the penalty box was the game’s defining moment.
Southern striker Garbhan Coughlan was given the ball in space at the front, forcing the Wellington defence to scramble.
After beating the last defender, he was taken down from behind in the box, although no penalty was given.
That came two minutes after another chance Southern should have put away.
Coughlan made a break down the right wing and his shot was deflected by keeper Scott Basalaj.
The ball bounced back to Southern’s Abdulla Al-Kalisy, who looked to bury it but somehow Wellington got a body in the way.
Later, there was a third near-miss, when Coughlan connected with a cross and a bicycle kick went just wide of the left post.
It was another show of the threat posed by Coughlan, whom Southern coach Paul O’Reilly dubbed the form player in the league.
He has scored 17 goals in his past 17 games and was unlucky not to add to that yesterday.
But it was the defence that was so crucial for Southern.
Every time it needed to scramble it did, working hard to prevent the visiting team from getting a clear look at the goal.
It was that which most pleased O’Reilly, who was thrilled after the game.
"Brilliant, every single one of them, including the players that came off the bench," he said of the effort.
"We were hard to play through, there was no space for them to penetrate.
"They’ve got some top-class players in their team — Andy Bevin, Aaron Clapham, lads that have been at the World Cup — and I thought we stopped them and nullified them for long spells.
"They kept the ball well and they’re a very good team, but I don’t think they were breaking us down.
"I thought it was a phenomenal performance, great defensive discipline.
"Maybe not attractive to a spectator, but for a head coach that’s the type of performance that’s so pleasing."
He added that while it would be greedy given the possession stakes, there was a slight disappointment to not win.
He felt Coughlan being taken down was a "stonewall penalty", while other chances went close.
The draw moves Southern to 14 points, still in seventh place, while Team Wellington falls to fourth place on 22.
That comes as a result of Canterbury United’s 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix Reserves, moving it to 24.
On Saturday, Auckland City remained perfect beating Eastern Suburbs 3-2 in the top-of-the-table match.
Tasman United beat Waitakere United 3-1 to jump to eighth spot, while Hamilton Wanderers and Hawke’s Bay United drew 4-4.
National premiership
The scores
Southern United 0
Team Wellington 0
