Wellington Phoenix vs Perth Glory: Match Review

The distance derby did not fail to disappoint with the Phoenix and Glory kicking off Saturday’s round of matches in spectacular fashion.

It was an enthralling match from beginning to end with a plethora of memorable moments for the highlight reel.

The Glory forced to come back from two goals down to set up a dramatic grandstand finish.

It might have been two points lost but it was also a point gained as both sides will feel as though they deserved the three points.

The match commenced in an exhilarating fashion with both sides playing open and attacking football which was very good on the eye.

It was the Phoenix that drew first blood with Barbarouses and Krishna combining to set up Gui Finkler who returned with a goal to give his side the lead. Wellington then continued to keep their foot on the accelerator and were rewarded for their dominance with a second goal.

Roy Krishna was the man who doubled the lead for the home side with a rocket of a goal from long range after some brilliant hold up play by Shane Smeltz who drew two defenders that freed up the Fijian.

It looked as though it would be smooth sailing for the Phoenix who were on top of the Glory for much of the first half. Kosta Barbarouses and Roy Krishna leading the charge in causing all sorts of headaches for their distant rivals.

However when two-nil down a goal can make all the difference and that it did. Andy Keogh proving why he is the striker that he is converting the classiest of goals to give his side some hope. The Irishman’s goal being the catalyst in rejuvenating the visitors who went into the break with all the momentum.

The Glory perhaps timing this momentum poorly as they were unable to maintain this in the early stages of the second half and thus conceded once again. It was Barbarouses that extended Wellinton’s lead and it looked as though the three points were sealed after an awe inspiring left footed finish into the bottom corner.

Despite once again being two goals down the Glory refused to throw in the towel and once again found that momentum late in the half.

Substitute Joel Chianese was significant in providing that sense of ‘x-factor’ that the Glory needed as this also very much lifted Diego Castro who was instrumental in orchestrating the Glory’s comeback.

Perth’s fightback came in the form of a scrappy Adam Taggart goal which once again gave the visitors hope of leaving New Zealand with a point.

Diego Castro then equalised in the best possible way from one of the best set piece goals seen in the A-League.

The tie was not over there however with the Glory continuing to press but were just unable to find the winner.

The result hurts for the Phoenix in particular with the win potentially seeing them climb back into the top six, however the home side will take a lot out of this match being one of their most impressive team performances to date.

Perth will also take a lot of key things from this match as their recent run of form continues.

This was arguably the match of the season with many moments of absolute brilliance.

At full time it was all square at the QBE Stadium in Auckland.

Wellington 3 (Finkler 10′, Krishna 25′, Barbarouses 47′) drew with. 3 Perth Glory (Keogh 34′, Taggart 67′ ,Castro 81′)

Match Preview 

The distance derby heads to Auckland this weekend, as the Wellington Phoenix hope to keep their finals chances alive when they host a red-hot Perth Glory. Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.

Last week’s win signified a fourth straight match without a loss for the Glory, who have remarkably only lost once in their last ten.

Perth have leap-frogged Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar into third position on the table and could prove a dark horse in the finals series.

The Glory did their distant rivals a favour last weekend in defeating the Wanderers in an impressive display at home. Perth have only dropped two games at home this season, making nib Stadium quite the fortress.

But Perth’s dire form away from home has been their Achilles heel, with the worst away record of the top-six teams.

As for the Phoenix, they sit just two points outside the top six after a shock win over the Roar in Brisbane, which was Wellington’s second away win of the season, which will reinvigorate the side in Auckland – their home away from home.

The last time these two sides met was back in January, when goals from Rostyn Griffiths and Adam Taggart either side of the half outgunned Roy Krishna’s early goal, sealing the points for the Glory.

However, despite the Phoenix drawing first blood in that match, the Kiwi side must be cautious of Perth’s ruthless start to matches. The Glory lead the league in goals within the first 15 minutes of play with eight so far this season.

History is also in the favour of the Glory who have come out on top in their last four meetings with the Phoenix.

In terms of team lists, Wellington are buoyed by Roly Bonevacia and Ryan Lowry making their return to the first team, replacing the suspended Jacob Tratt and the omitted James McGarry.

The other big inclusion is Gui Finkler, returning after missing the last two weeks due to paternity leave.

Perth meanwhile welcome Richard Garcia and Kosta Petratos into the side that defeated the Wanderers last week.

Prediction
There will be goals in this one, but whether they’re likely to cancel each other out.

Draw 2-2.

Will the Glory make it five on the trot, or will the spoils go to the Phoenix in their late-season surge for a finals spot? Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEDT).