Dream becomes a nightmare

A dream start rapidly turned to nightmare for the Wellington Phoenix tonight as Adelaide United punished them 4-1 in a Hyundai A-League 2007/08 round 10 match in Adelaide.

The visitors got off to a flyer when Shane Smeltz scored in the third minute. But it was one-way traffic from then on – Adelaide getting back on level terms 90 seconds later before breaking the valiant visitors’ hearts with a goal in the last play of the first half. The Phoenix fared no better in the second half, conceding early after the restart and again in the 76th as Adelaide United made sure the Hyundai A-League’s new boys didn’t have a prayer in the City of Churches.

The win in front of 11,740 spectators in blustery conditions at Hindmarsh Stadium lifts Adelaide United to the top of the Hyundai A-League table, while the Phoenix remain in seventh spot ahead of Perth Glory. The Phoenix and the Glory face off in Perth on Friday.

The exciting match began with a bang for the Phoenix, Smeltz stroking a wonderful left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area past Adelaide keeper Robert Beltrame in the third minute. The Phoenix marksman – easily the team’s best on-field – took his season tally to five with the early strike and things looked promising for a boilover away win.

But just 90 seconds later the scores were level as the problems that have plagued the Phoenix’s defence surfaced again. Jason Spagnuolo’s cross from the left looped over the static Phoenix defence and fell to Dez Giraldi, the striker nodding in a simple goal.

The remainder of an entertaining half saw both sides launch promising attacks – Smeltz having some good half-chances while Spagnuolo missed a sitter from in front when he hit his open header over the crossbar in the 40th minute.

A telling blow against the Phoenix came with the last play of the half when Cassio’s low-driven free kick was parried by Phoenix keeper Mark Paston and Nathan Burns was able to bundle the ball in over the prone custodian.

The visitors’ hopes were all but dashed shortly after the resumption and it came in almost embarrassing circumstances. Daniel’s curling free kick from outside Adelaide’s penalty area fell at the feet of Beltrame, the keeper almost letting it slip through. But Beltrame gathered the ball in and quickly tossed it out to skipper Travis Dodd, who scorched away up field as the Phoenix struggled to get back. Dodd’s delightful diagonal cross found Lucas Pantelis, the canny midfielder scoring his third goal in as many weeks when he was able to guide the ball past the stranded Paston.

The demolition was completed in the 76th minute when Spagnuolo latched on to Robert Sarkies’ chip to pop the ball over the advancing Paston before controlling it and tapping in a simple goal.

Cassio was calculating in the midfield for the Reds, setting up a swag of quality ball for the attackers while using his pace and guile to confuse the fragile Phoenix defence. And while the home side would be thrilled with the win, they would also be ruing several gilt-edged chances missed.

While the result was never truly in doubt, the Phoenix also rued their share of missed chances. Daniel had the best of them in the 78th minute, the Brazilian muffing a simple header on an open goal.

Lapses in the back third continue to be a bane for the Phoenix, who were missing rock-solid centre back Karl Dodd through suspension. But the good chances being created up front suggest there is plenty to be positive about once the defensive issues are rectified.

The Phoenix now head across the Nullarbor to Perth to take on the Glory, who will be seeking revenge after being beaten 4-1 in the two teams’ last encounter at Westpac Stadium.


Match summary

Adelaide United 4 (Dez Giraldi 5’, Nathan Burns 45+3’, Lucas Pantelis 49’, Jason Spagnuolo 76’)

Wellington Phoenix 1 (Shane Smeltz 3’)

HT: 2-1

Crowd: 11,740 at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide