Following a crushing 4-1 loss to Western Sydney United on the road, Wellington Phoenix will enter the A-League standings to Christmas 9 in a slump.
Western Sydney, a mid-table competitor, jumped ahead of the struggling New Zealand team to sixth place in the standings after Wellington suffered their worst loss of the season, which was also their third consecutive loss.
Even though Auckland FC lost badly against Western United 4-0 at home, they still lead the table. It was a forgettable double for the two Kiwi men’s teams.
The Phoenix, who advanced to the semi-finals the previous year under second-season coach Giancarlo Italiano, gave up four goals for the first time.
More than anything, it’s disappointing. “We probably gave them four goals, but we gave them three of them,” Italiano remarked.
“Mistakes or simply our hesitancy around the box. It was really out of character for us defensively.
“The second half The group’s ability to bounce back made me very delighted. At 2-1, we had numerous excellent opportunities, and the entire tone of the match would have changed if we had made it 2-all.
“They kept doing what I asked but in the end, a little bit of inexperience just cost us.”
Italiano used the opportunity to give 16-year-old midfielder Luke Brooke-Smith, the eight-time national age group BMX champion, a late appearance after the game was lost.
When forward Brandon Borrello took advantage of a mistake by Isaac Hughes to get in behind the Phoenix defense and set up a pass for Zac Sapsford, who swept home from close to the penalty spot, Wellington was behind early and lost within the first minute.
Borrello then put up Bozhidar Kraev, a former Wellington midfielder, who smoothly tapped past Josh Oluwayemi to increase the advantage nine minutes later.
After the half, Wellington’s lone goal—a fantastic close-range overhead kick from Hideki Ishige—was the catalyst for their comeback.
With his back to goal, Ishige skillfully picked out the roof of the net with an overhead kick after controlling a mishit attempt from Japanese compatriot Kazuki Nagasawa with his thigh.
But goals from Dylan Scicluna and Marcus Antonsson gave Western Sydney the win.
The team that began last Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Macarthur FC had to have one alteration made by Italiano.
After Marco Rojas rolled his ankle during Saturday’s training, Corban Piper got his first A-League start.
The faltering Newcastle Jets will be the next opponent of the Wellington Phoenix on Saturday.
