Clean sheet comes at cruical time for Phoenix
A clean sheet has come at a vital time for the Wellington Phoenix, but the fledgling Hyundai A-League club has plenty to work on for the rest of the season.
The Phoenix beat the Perth Glory 1-0 to grab three vital competition points in the Western Australian capital, breaking a string of four consecutive losses by the Kiwi club while extending Perth’s horror run without a win to 18 games.
For the first time this season Wellington did not concede a goal – despite Perth having several good chances – while the Glory are yet to be on the winning side of the ledger in almost a year.
In the end it was Daniel’s 51st minute strike that made the difference in a lively match. Glory defender Dino Djulbic’s muffed clearing pass was pounced on by Tim Brown – wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Ross Aloisi, who was ruled out late with a back injury. The All Whites’ international skipper slipped a delightful ball to Daniel, the Brazilian coolly slotting his low, left-foot shot across Glory keeper Tando Velaphi and into the net.
The Glory toiled throughout the match and created plenty of good opportunities, denied only by poor finishing and a sterling performance from Phoenix keeper Glen Moss, who made several top-notch saves to deny the home team and hand the Phoenix their first clean sheet of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season.
Having suffered four tough losses on the trot, the win comes as a welcome tonic for the Phoenix, who remain in touch with the league leaders.
Coach Ricki Herbert was a happy – and somewhat relieved – man after the match.
“It was a tough month, October, and a nice way to start November. I’m very pleased. It’s all new for us this year. We’ve had some good times and some tough times, but I thought we were decent and to get a clean sheet is nice given that we haven’t had one this year.”
Under the pump early in the match, the Phoenix’s much-maligned defence held firm, scrambling to contain the Glory’s salvos in the opening exchanges.
“I think that if you’re coming to play the bottom team you’re always going to be on the back foot early,” Herbert said.
“There was a lot at stake and the minimum outcome for both teams was to get a win and it’s pleasing for us that we were able to do that. I thought we defended a hell of a lot better than we have in previous games and probably created enough chances and, at the end of the day, we were probably worthy of the three points.”
While the win keeps the Phoenix in touch with the competition leaders, Herbert said there was still plenty of work to be done by a team still in its footballing infancy.
“For us it’s really just a matter of grinding out this year. We’ve got a fantastic and stable club, a great owner, great fans, good sponsorship – there’s a hell of a lot of positives about having a professional football club in New Zealand.
“It’s nice to get the three points and further cement our football credibility but its back to the hard work this week. I’m really pleased for the players, they deserve to be proud of what they’ve achieved.”
However, the Phoenix’s defence continues to be of concern. While the Phoenix’s strikeforce – led by the impressive Shane Smeltz up front – is undeniable, lapses in the middle and at the back have proved costly so far this season. There were again moments of indecision at Members Equity Stadium but on this occasion the back four and, in particular, the excellent Moss were able to snuff out the Glory’s chances.
“Probably, from a combination point of view we’re not quite there after such a short time together and I’m still not clear on that the best XI is,” Herbert said. “But the players have accepted that challenge. We’ve cost ourselves quite dearly in the past month with some silly mistakes but we looked more desperate [against Perth] and I think that was important.”
Brown said his side’s desperation was evident, adding that at no point had the Phoenix ever dropped their heads after four tough losses.
“All along, even when we were going though that bad patch, the belief was still there – the belief in the quality within the squad. It’s a close squad, a very motivated bunch of guys that’s determined to do well. We’ve got to continue to improve. There’s a great deal of confidence in the quality of the squad we’ve got. From the start credibility was the key word for us, and we’ve certainly established some of that, but there’s a long, long way to go to prove absolutely that we belong in this competition.”
Herbert reiterated that season one for the Phoenix was about the growth and development of the club and that results were lower on the list of priorities.
“For us it’s about getting a foot in the door and showing people that a professional club in New Zealand is worthy of being in the competition. I think we’ve shown that this year. We’re a good football side and we’ll keep driving away. The most important thing is that we’re seen as a decent organisation moving forward and in the next couple of years I think we’ll be one of the better ones.”
The Phoenix remain in seventh spot on the Hyundai A-League table on 11 points, still in touch with competition leaders Adelaide, the Central Coast and Newcastle on 17 points. The Wellington club now has a five-point buffer on the unlucky Glory in last place.
The Phoenix’s next match is against the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday.
Match summary
Perth Glory 0
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Daniel 51’)
HT: 0-0
Crowd: 7105 at Members Equity Stadium, Perth