Injury concerns continue for Phoenix

With the Phoenix losing multiple players due to injury the past few weeks, the team slide back into their original style of play with bad passing and missed goal opportunities leading to a 1-1 draw against Perth Glory.

With Manny Muscat suspended due to a red card and injuries plaguing the Phoenix, a lot of newcomers took to the field which was obvious through the way the team played, almost as though it was the start of the season all over again.

They had a lackluster start to the first half with new signing Roy Krishna taking the first shot on goal with the shot being taken to quickly going wide.

The play then continued into a back and forth style with bad passing and no linking leading to the Phoenix turning over ball and not utilising chances when in front of goal.

Then 33 minutes in Perth Glory managed to slide a goal past Glen Moss with William Gallas taking a well placed left foot shot that looped around Moss to put them in the lead.

This shot seemed to kick the Phoenix down with misdirected passing and a lack of intensity that seemed to creep back into their game.

New signing Krishna seemed to be the only one wanting to score, working hard to beat the keeper only to have his shot bounce back at him off the post.

This was the last chance the Phoenix had before half time with Perth Glory heading into the tunnel on a 1-0 lead.

The second half started much the same way as the first with the Phoenix not looking like they remembered how to play the great style of football they had been showcasing recently.

Then in the 56th minute they managed to get a fast break that threatened Perth Glory but once they headed up field their passes broke down and the goal could not be found.

Perth Glory kept attacking and Moss did a great save in the 65 minute to make sure their lead only stayed at one goal.

Kenny Cunningham got into the game later in the second half with a great attacking run in the 80 minute seeing the Phoenix receive a corner which Cunningham tried to convert but earned him an elbow in the face from the goalkeeper in the process.

Then one minute later another new signing Matthew Ridenton had a chance on goal with a deflection save from the goalie leading to a clean shot for Ridenton which he came at to excited, hitting it to high.

Finally three minutes later the Phoenix converted a chance that was desperately needed with Cunningham finding the back of the net to even the game up 1-1.

While he was busy scoring the only goal of the game he also managed to pay Perth Glory's goalkeeper back for the elbow to his face with a heavy body hit into him.

Their intensity finally started to pick up but it was to little to late with another final shot from Stein Huysegems going over the goal in what seemed to be the Phoenix last chance.

This meant that despite the Phoenix best intentions they could not come back from their lackluster start leading to the disappointing 1-1 draw.



Wellington Phoenix: 1. Glen MOSS, 5, Michael BOXALL 6. Josh BRINDELL-SOUTH 9. Kenny CUNNINGHAM 10. Stein HUYSEGEMS, 17. Vince LIA, 18.Ben SIGMUND, 21. Carlos HERNANDEZ 22. Andrew DURANTE  23. Matthew RIDENTON, 24. Roy KRISHNA. Subs: 11. Jeremy BROCKIE, 12. Tyler BOYD, 15. Jason HICKS 20. Lewis ITALIANO Shaun TIMMINS.


Perth Glory: 2. Jack CLISBY, 5. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 7. Jacob BURNS, 8. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 16. Sidnei SCIOLA, MORAES, 17. Chris HAROLD, 18. Jack DUNCAN, 23. Michael THWAITE DAVIES 36. William GALLAS. Subs: 3. Brandon O’NEIL 10. Jamie MACLAREN 14. Steven MCGARRY, 20. Daniel DE SILVA, 39. Luke RADONICH