Phoenix fire four to grab victory
Wellington Phoenix FC has added another important chapter in its already impressive history book and it was penned in bold ink on Sunday – a 4-1 home win against Perth Glory.
It was a red-letter occasion as the Hyundai A-League’s newest club scored its first competition win at Westpac Stadium.
Despite chilly, wet and windy conditions, 10,127 fans turned out at Westpac Stadium to be part of history as the Phoenix knocked in two goals either side of halftime to grab three important Hyundai A-League 2007/08 points after having had two draws and a loss in their first three home games.
It was a controlled and stylish team performance from the Phoenix as they grabbed the glory against a Perth outfit that had stung the home side after just 10 minutes. But from that point on it was all the Phoenix, skipper Ross Aloisi sparking the home side to life when he levelled the scores just three minutes later.
Aloisi’s scrambled goal from a wicked, curling corner by Brazilian midfielder Daniel cancelled out Billy Celeski’s early strike against the run of play and inspired the Phoenix to press forward in search of scoring opportunities.
And the goals came, with Shane Smeltz, Vaughan Coveny and Tony Lochhead joining their inspirational skipper on the scoresheet as Perth’s struggle to contain the rampant home side was made even tougher when Dino Djulbic was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 54th minute.
The win consolidates the Phoenix’s mid-table position after six rounds ahead of away games against the Queensland Roar and Newcastle Jets. The Phoenix have now scored the most goals of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season so far.
The Phoenix started the match strongly, despite the blustery wind and slippery surface conditions, but went behind after Jordan Simpson’s delightful through-ball fell to Celeski, who threaded it through Phoenix keeper Glen Moss’ legs in the 10th minute.
It was a small slice of history for the Glory, too, as Celeski’s goal ended a barren spell away from home for the Perth side, which had not scored on “foreign” soil in more than 11 hours of play outside the Western Australian capital.
But the home side struck back almost immediately as Daniel’s curling corner beat the near-post defence and fell at the feet of Aloisi and Perth keeper Tomi Tomich, the Phoenix skipper able to tip the ball past the Glory’s custodian on the line.
The Phoenix took the lead in the 42nd minute when Daniel’s pinpoint cross was met by Coveny, whose deflected attempt on goal fell to Smeltz, the Wellington marksman slotting the ball past Tomich.
A major turning point came in the 54th minute when Djulbic was dismissed after a second yellow card. The Phoenix took advantage almost immediately, Coveny scoring his first goal in Phoenix colours when he launched himself to connect with Lochhead’s dangerous cross in the 56th minute.
Lochhead, usually the provider of dangerous crosses in front of the opposition goal, turned scorer when he capped a stunning attacking performance from the home team by putting the ball past Tomich from another dangerous Daniel centering pass.
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert was understandably thrilled by his team’s comprehensive win.
“I thought we played very well, that we’ve been playing very well, and tonight was good. The quality of the delivery into the box was excellent, we got into the flank areas, and it was really good for people like Shane and Vaughan up front. It’s not easy up there at times and I’m sure they appreciated the quality of the service.
“I thought Shane was outstanding and Daniel will certainly get a lot of kudos from within the camp, but at the end of the day you have to put the ball into the back of the net. Everyone contributed – we had four different people score goals – and it was very much about what a group of players can achieve together.”
Herbert was again impressed by his side’s ability to create scoring opportunities – the crucial difference in Sunday’s match being that the Phoenix were able to convert four of them.
“We’ve looked a side that can put four past the opposition and now we have. Possibly it could have been five or six, but ultimately we’ve won 4-1, it was very comprehensive and I’m delighted with the performance. I’m sure there are 10,000 people delighted with what they’ve seen and this one is really for them.”
Aloisi said the Glory’s early goal was a tough blow but that hitting back soon after was crucial.
“It ended up being very important. When you concede a goal early, the longer it takes you to score a goal the tougher it becomes to get back. The unfortunate thing is that we were playing well at the beginning and they scored against the run of play, in my opinion.”
The Phoenix now turn their attention to facing the Roar at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday ahead of an away quest for revenge against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday, October 14.
Match summary
Wellington Phoenix 4 (Ross Aloisi 13’, Shane Smeltz 42’, Vaughan Coveny 56’, Tony Lochhead 83’)
Perth Glory 1 (Billy Celeski 10’)
HT: 2-1
Crowd: 10,127 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington