Paul Ifill and Stein Huysegems will write the headlines after scoring the goals that brought the Wellington Phoenix a well-deserved 2-1 win over Perth Glory at the NIB Stadium on Sunday night, but goalkeeper Glen Moss played an important role in the success.
Moss made two outstanding saves when the game was scoreless and coach Chris Greenacre said they were priceless.
“But for Mossy we could have been two goals down and found it hard to get back into the game,” Greenacre said
“I-m really pleased for Glen because he has missed a lot of the season through injury and he is thriving on being back in the team.
“He showed his class today and it was priceless.”
The Phoenix gave the home side little chance to settle and were giving as good as they got when Moss made those saves, and they thoroughly deserved the 1-0 lead they took into the dressing room at halftime after Ifill scored from close range.
Huysegems played an important role in the build up and it prolific scorer Jeremy Brockie who turned provider to set Ifill up for the goal.
Brockie was again the provider in the second spell with a superb cross that Huysegems met perfectly to head past helpless Perth goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.
“It shows what a good all-round footballer Brocks is,” Greenacre said.
“His goals highlight reel is second to none and he showed a striker-s instinct last week against the Wanderers when he scored from close range.
“He put in an unbelievable cross for Stein-s goal and I was delighted that Stein got on the score sheet.
“Stein has had it tough this season and has hit the woodwork several times.
That was a great header back across the keeper.”
The Phoenix had a difficult lead-up into the game with Vince Lia ruled out with a fractured toe, Dani Sanchez having treatment for a hamstring injury and Isaka Cernak picking up an ankle injury during the team-s final training run.
Cernak had to have a pain-killing injection to take his place on the bench, but again showed his class when he took the field late in the game.
