Uncharacteristic defending has cost the Wellington Phoenix in the second New Zealand derby.
Auckland FC have beaten the Phoenix 2-1 at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland to extend their lead at the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
The competition newcomers went ahead in the 31st minute from an own goal, and doubled their advantage midway through the second-half from a set piece before Kosta Barbarouses scored his fourth goal of the season to set up a frantic finale.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano paid credit to Auckland for claiming all three points, but expressed his disappointment with the two goals his side conceded, “especially the first one”.
“I’ll have to look at it again closely, but I thought it was uncharacteristic,” Italiano told media post-match.
“I think we had one player step out when they shouldn’t have…and probably should have defended that better.
“And then the set piece I thought was pretty weak. It wasn’t much of a challenge at the back. Very uncharacteristic. We defend the set pieces quite well.
“But…I’m pleased because at two-nil usually the game is done. We showed some fight and scored and maybe a little bit more time we probably would have got the equaliser.”
Italiano doesn’t believe there is much between the two sides despite Auckland getting the better of the first two meetings.
“You tell me the gap that I’m looking at? I don’t really see a gap.
“Again, give us another five minutes in the game I think we equalise.
“The first goal they scored in the last derby was a mistake and today one was a set piece and an own goal, so I don’t think there’s a massive gap.
“They just capitalised on the chances.
“They defend quite well. To be fair as a defensive unit they work very hard, and I give them credit.”
Mt Smart Stadium was at capacity for the derby, with a healthy percentage of the fans in Phoenix colours.
“Today was a great buzz. It was good for New Zealand football as a whole.
“I look at our away fans, even though they were tucked into the corner over there, they were singing the whole time. So, it had a nice feel to the game.
“My dream as a coach, and I say this without any reservations, is I want to come to a game and that’s the normal crowd.
“How hard is that? If we get our act together with the league, there’s enough supporters not only in New Zealand but in Australia as well that we can make that happen.”
Giancarlo Italiano made two changes to the XI which started the 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory before the team’s bye with fit-again fullbacks Tim Payne and Sam Sutton returning in place of Oskar van Hattum and Nathan Walker, who were named amongst the substitutes.
Similar to the inaugural derby five weeks ago, the tackles were flying in from the opening whistle as both sides looked to assert themselves physically.
There were few chances for either side in the first half an hour with both goalkeepers only required to claim crosses and set pieces rather than save shots.
The breakthrough came soon after when Auckland captain Hiroki Sakai found some space down the right and drove in a cross that Isaac Hughes unfortunately headed into his own net.
The Phoenix’s best chance before halftime also came down their right when Auckland substitute Cam Howieson produced a crucial last-ditch block to deny Matt Sheridan after he played a clever one-two with Tim Payne.
The Nix came close to drawing level just three minutes into the second half when Hideki Ishige turned his fellow countryman Sakai inside out and curled a shot that narrowly missed the top corner.
Italiano made his first changes with half an hour remaining, bringing Marco Rojas and Stefan Colakovski on for Payne and Paulo Retre.
Rojas and Colakovski had limited touches on the ball before Wellington found themselves two goals down when Auckland centre back Nando Pijnaker headed a right-wing free-kick into the back of the Phoenix net.
The Nix should have equalised soon after following a great mazy run from Sam Sutton. Sutton drew a good save from Alex Paulsen but he was only able to push it to the feet of Matt Sheridan who mishit his follow up straight back into the ‘keeper’s arms.
Wellington did pull a goal back in the 82nd minute when Alex Rufer won possession high up the park and threaded an inch-perfect ball through to Barbarouses, who became the first player to score a goal against Auckland FC, adding another milestone to his illustrious CV.
The goal also set up a tense final eight minutes plus stoppage time as the Phoenix pressed for an equaliser.
Despite their best efforts they weren’t away to test Paulsen again, while Josh Oluwayemi made an acrobatic save in the sixth and final minute of time added on to deny Auckland a third goal.
The Wellington Phoenix will have no time to dwell on the derby defeat. They will return home tomorrow to prepare for Saturday’s match against Macarthur FC at Sky Stadium.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 4. Scott WOOTTON, 6. Tim PAYNE (21. Marco ROJAS 60th), 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Paulo RETRE (11. Stefan COLAKOVSKI 60th), 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 19. Sam SUTTON (3. Corban PIPER 90+5), 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA (24. Oskar VAN HATTUM 80th), 27. Matt SHERIDAN.
Unused substitutes: 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 12. Mo AL-TAAY, 41. Nathan WALKER.
Auckland FC: 12. Alex PAULSEN (gk), 2. Hiroki SAKAI (c), 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 6. Louis VERSTAETE (7. Cam HOWIESON 22nd), 10. Guillermo MAY, 14. Liam GILLION (8. Luis TOOMEY 59th), 15. Francis DE VRIES, 22. Jake BRIMMER (5. Tommy SMITH 69th), 23. Daniel HALL, 27. Logan ROGERSON (25. Neyder MORENO 59th), 28. Luis Felipe GALLEGOS.
Unused substitutes: 1. Michael WOUD (gk), 9. Max MATA, 17. Callan ELLIOT.
Goals:
15. Isaac HUGHES (Wellington Phoenix) – 31st og
4. Nando PIJNAKER (Auckland FC) – 70th
7. Kosta BARBAROUSES (Wellington Phoenix) – 82nd
Cards:
9. Hideki ISHIGE (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 17th
19. Sam SUTTON (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 43rd
8. Paulo RETRE (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 50th
7. Cam HOWIESON (Auckland FC) – yellow – 53rd
7. Kosta BARBAROUSES (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 67th
14. Alex RUFER (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 79th
