The Melbourne Victory have handed the Wellington Phoenix their first defeat in five weeks.
The Victory have edged the Phoenix 1-0 on a wet night in Melbourne, stretching Wellington’s winless run at AAMI Park to 23 matches.
It was another typically tight contest between the two sides that required extra time to separate them in last season’s two-legged semi-final.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano says the match was decided by “fine margins”.
“The most disappointing thing is Corban [Piper] and Kosta [Barbarouses] are in their box, mishit a pass which would have led to a big chance, we get countered and we get done on transition,” Italiano told media post-match.
“It’s probably a poor goal to concede to be fair, especially when you’re in that position.
“But if that pass sticks or it’s a little bit more in front, we could be talking about a 1-nil victory as opposed to a 1-nil defeat.”
The result leaves the Nix 10th on the ladder, six points outside the top six.
“I’m always the optimist and believer, especially with this group, that once we get all of our players back I think we can make a significant run still.
“Whether that gets us into the six or not, I’m not sure.
“It’s true we are running out of games, but the belief in the group is that we can put a run of games together and get close to the six.
“If we had picked up maximum points against Mariners and Brisbane we would have been three points off third, which is crazy and shows you how close the competition is.”
Giancarlo Italiano made just one change to the XI which started the 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar on Waitangi Day with fit-again All Whites fullback Tim Payne returning in place of Japanese midfielder Kazuki Nagasawa. Club captain Alex Rufer was named on the bench after missing the past six matches with glandular fever, while young forward Luke Brooke-Smith was also back amongst the substitutes.
The Phoenix made a promising start with Corban Piper threatening with a couple of long throws inside the opening two minutes.
The Nix got in behind the Victory defence a couple of times soon after but the final pass let them down and they weren’t able to test Mitch Langerak in Melbourne’s goal.
Former Wellington midfielder Reno Piscopo produced the first shot of the match a quarter of an hour into the contest after Victory teammate Nishan Velupillay stood up a cross to the back post, but Piscopo volleyed his effort well off target.
He also blazed over the bar midway through the first half after finding a bit of space on the edge of the Phoenix penalty area.
The hosts only managed three other shots in the first 45, but they were all blocked by the well-organised Nix defence.
Wellington came closest to breaking the deadlock half an hour into the match when Kosta Barbarouses found some space down the left flank and delivered a curling box into the box that just evaded the head of Payne, who had made a lung-busting run from right back.
Barbarouses had limited opportunities in the first half and was twice brought down off the ball by Victory’s centre backs, but both challenges were missed by the referee.
Melbourne finished the half the better of the two sides and had a flurry of corners before the break but they weren’t able to threaten the resolute and disciplined Phoenix defence, who ensured the match remained scoreless.
The Victory came out with renewed vigour after halftime and Alby Kelly-Heald was called into action for the first time soon after the restart.
He made his first save less than 60 seconds into the second half, a regulation one to keep out a shot from Victory midfielder Jordi Valadon, before making a good save at his near post to turn away a stinging effort from halftime substitute Clarismario Santos.
Santos helped put the hosts in front shortly before the hour mark when he caught the Nix on the break and delivered an inch-perfect cross that fellow import Nikolaos Vergos headed home.
Kelly-Heald made a sharp save soon after to keep out a powerful shot from Zinedine Machach to ensure the Victory didn’t double their lead.
Italiano made a triple-change midway through the half, bringing on Rufer, Nagasawa and young forward Nathan Walker in place of Paulo Retre, Hideki Ishige and Lukas Kelly-Heald respectively.
The substitutions had the desired effect with the Phoenix controlling more possession and looking more threatening.
The Nix registered their first shot on target soon after with Langerak producing a great save to keep out a point blank shot from Barbarouses, who got on the end of a perfectly weighted pass from Payne.
Brooke-Smith entered the match in the 77th minute in place of Piper and he announced his arrival with a mazy run into the Victory box and was unlucky to see his shot deflect wide for a corner.
Matt Sheridan got in behind the Victory back four soon after but he was unable to pick out a Wellington teammate with his outstretched cutback.
The hosts had the chance to seal the win in stoppage time but they blew a couple of gilt-edged chances and Kelly-Heald made a good save to claw away a header from substitute Bruno Fornaroli.
The Phoenix were unable to create their own opening and time ultimately ran out.
The Wellington Phoenix will return home tomorrow before quickly turning their attentions to next Saturday’s derby in Auckland.
Wellington Phoenix: 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 3. Corban PIPER (29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH 77th), 4. Scott WOOTTON (c), 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Paulo RETRE (14. Alex RUFER 69th), 9. Hideki ISHIGE (25. Kazuki NAGASAWA 69th), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD (41. Nathan WALKER 69th), 19. Sam SUTTON, 27. Matthew SHERIDAN.
Unused substitutes: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 39. Jayden SMITH.
Melbourne Victory: 1. Mitch LANGERAK (gk), 3. Adam TRAORE (28. Kasey BOS 75th), 5. Brendan HAMILL, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 8. Zinedine MACHACH, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS (10. Bruno FORNAROLI 75th), 14. Jordi VALADON, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY (11. Clarismario SANTOS 46th), 21. Roderick MIRANDA (c), 22. Josh RAWLINS, 27. Reno PISCOPO (7. Daniel ARZANI 66th).
Unused substitutes: 25. Jack DUNCAN (gk), 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 18. Fabian MONGE.
Goals:
9. Nikolaos VERGOS (Melbourne Victory) – 57th
Cards:
9. Nikolaos VERGOS (Melbourne Victory) – yellow – 58th
22. Josh RAWLINS (Melbourne Victory) – yellow – 65th
27. Matthew SHERIDAN (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 75th
19. Sam SUTTON (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 89th
1. Mitch LANGERAK (gk) (Melbourne Victory) – yellow – 90+4
