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Wellington Phoenix edge closer to A-League finals

Roar Pro
5th February, 2011
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English striker Chris Greenacre headed Wellington Phoenix to a slice of A-League history as the New Zealand side clinched their first away win over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Greenacre’s diving header from a Marco Rojas cross in the 34th minute proved enough to hand Wellington a surprise 1-0 win over third-placed Adelaide in front of 7,498 fans.

It was only Wellington’s second away win of the season and strengthened their hold on sixth spot and a second finals appearance.

Adelaide struggled to break down a resolute Phoenix defence marshalled by captain Andrew Durante and Socceroo Jade North.

Captain Travis Dodd missed a golden chance in the first minute but Wellington hit back quickly and Greenacre had a low shot cleared off the line by Nigel Boogaard in the second minute.

Adelaide coach Rini Coolen was forced to reshuffle his team midway through the first half when left back Cassio was forced off with a leg injury and Greenacre popped up to head home his seventh goal of the season some five minutes later.

Adelaide midfielder Paul Reid had his close range shot blocked brilliantly by Wellington keeper Danny Vukovic in the 44th minute but Wellington continued to test former Socceroo keeper Eugene Galekovic in the second half from long range.

Phoenix captain Tim Brown forced Vukovic into a lunging save from 25 metres out in the 58th minute after a shot by Nick Ward had been saved by Galekovic moments before.

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Adelaide regrouped midway through the second half and Dodd threaded a shot through Vukovic’s legs in the 67th minute but North scrambled back to clear the goal-bound shot onto the crossbar.

Adelaide now have a fight on their hands to hold onto third spot with Gold Coast within range after suffering only their third home loss of the season.

Adelaide face a tricky assignment against Melbourne Victory at Adelaide Oval next Friday to end the regular season.

Adelaide coach Rini Coolen said poor defending contributed to Wellington’s goal, but felt his team had also been the victims of a tough schedule.

“We have three, four or five players with muscle problems and (who) couldn’t train because of the travel schedule,” he said.

But now Adelaide have more injury woes with star fullback Cassio in doubt for the finals after exiting with an apparent leg injury.

“One thing is for sure, they have to change the schedule,” Coolen said.

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“It’s not good for the players, it’s dangerous.”

Wellington coach Ricki Herbert said his team had come to win and got their reward.

“We didn’t come here to sit back and hope,” he said.

“It was a little bit hairy at times but we really battled today.”

Herbert said all clubs had gone through tight scheduling issues but it evened itself out.

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