ANALYSIS

THE width of the upright may have denied Shannon Cole a debut goal in the A-League, but Sydney FC's least-celebrated recruit could be the smartest piece of business the club has done for years.

Any more laconic, and you'd check for a pulse. But considering where he's come from, it's incredible where he might be going. It's hard to remember a more impressive A-League debut. Cole's all-round performance in Saturday night's scoreless draw against Melbourne Victory is living proof that second-tier football is brimming with untapped talent. And proof of the benefits of perseverance.

"Nothing fazes him, does it?" said a beaming Sydney FC coach John Kosmina. "He went out there, took it all on board, and he's only going to get better. He's already done enough to say he deserves a start next week, and who know where it will go from there."

Cole was never spotted by the much-vaunted development system, but never lost heart. He travelled the world to chase his dream - to New Zealand, to the US, to England, and to Israel, before Kosmina took a punt and offered him his first professional contract at the age of 24.

Sydney's off-season recruiting has been largely about big names, and big pay packets, but in Cole they might have discovered an uncut diamond. The free kick that bent around the wall before striking the post was the signature moment of a debut containing superb set-piece delivery, but that wasn't all. Cole tackled strongly, passed well and a couple of sharp touches to get away from Victory defender Michael Thwaite revealed a genuine touch of class.

Kosmina said: "He's still got to learn what I call staying in the game - a few times players went past him and he just watched. You can get away with that in the state league, but not at this level. But the good thing is he got better as the game went on. He's a quick learner, that's for sure."

Sydney will learn, too, from a tough season-opener against Melbourne, who arrived full of vim after their pre-season triumph, and quickly set about dismantling the home team with pace, power, and precision. Victory skipper Kevin Muscat later said he was "shattered" not to get a win, and there's little doubt Melbourne were always the side most likely to score. New Brazilian striker Ney Fabiano was a constant menace early, hinting he might be a scorer and provider rolled into one. Costa Rican duo Carlos Hernandez and Jose Luis Lopez controlled possession and tempo with their craft and awareness. At the back an impressive debut from Thwaite confirmed the impression Melbourne might have the meanest defence in the league this season.

But if Sydney were under the pump for long periods of an absorbing contest, they hung tough. Keeper Clint Bolton shook off an injury cloud to roll back the years and produce a match-saving performance, while another veteran, Steve Corica, also dug deep. "I know it's a cliche, but we showed a lot of character out there," said Kosmina.

Sydney's second half was better than their first, and that means the graph is heading in the right direction. For a side cobbled together after injuries and suspensions had ripped through the roster, this was a point gained, not lost.

Stuart Musialik, Dez Giraldi and Alex Brosque are all definitely available for the trip to Gosford next weekend, while skipper Tony Popovic is also a chance. And, yes, keep it to yourself, but star recruit John Aloisi just might put his hand up for selection, although it will be for a cameo role at best.