Wellington Phoenix
1
Match Complete
Adelaide United
3
| 84' |  | I. S. CortA(C)s | ||
| 64' |  | K. IlsA? | ||
| A. Rufer | | 62' | ||
| 47' | | K. IlsA? | ||
| 45' | | T. Doyle | ||
| A. S. PeA+-a | | 14' |
| 13 | Shots | 15 | ||
| 4 | On Target | 5 | ||
| 15 | Fouls | 19 | ||
| 6 | Corners | 5 | ||
| 2 | Offsides | 1 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
The Wellington Phoenix host Adelaide United at Westpac Stadium in Round 5 of the 2018-19 A-League season. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm (AEDT).
After something of a promising start for the Phoenix in the 2018/19 season, things have started to look a little shaky in the shaky isles after consecutive losses to Melbourne City and the Wanderers.
Mark Rudan looked to have established a harder edge to the Wellington defence yet the men in yellow have conceded five goals in their last two matches and find themselves seventh on the A-League table.
Adelaide looked to be heading in the other direction after a comfortable win against the Mariners three weeks back yet stumbled badly against competition leader Perth last time out.
As such, this is something of a tough match to line up with Marco Kurz’s side still struggling to finish in front of goal and without the heroics of Craig Goodwin, it is hard to see where the goals will come from moving forward.
Goodwin has made a spectacular start to the season and does need support up front if the Reds are to make a serious charge towards the finals in the coming months. The return of Nikola Mileusnic might just do the trick for Adelaide.
Wellington welcomes Nathan Burns back into the squad for this match and with similar problems up front, he could be a boost for Wellington’s chances.
Being able to ignite the front three and find some fluency in attack is the greatest challenge facing Rudan right now.
With Sarpreet Singh, Roy Krishna and David Williams sniffing around the box, there appears enough quality to produce goals yet their returns have been moderate so far.
Prediction
I am expecting a much needed and improved performance from the Phoenix in this clash and Adelaide may find it tough to break down what has been a committed and solid defence in Wellington, led by Steven Taylor at the back.
Wellington Phoenix 1, Adelaide United 1
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 5:35pm (AEDT).
Where: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
When: Saturday 24th Novemebr 2018, 5:35pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Wellington Phoenix $3.60 Draw $3.60 Adelaide United $3.00
Wellington Phoenix
1. Filip Kurto (Gk), 4. Mandi Sosa, 5. Ryan Lowry, 6. Dylan Fox, 8. Mitch Nichols, 9. Nathan Burns, 11. David Williams, 13. Liberato Cacace, 14. Alex Rufer, 15. Michal Kopzcynski, 16. Louis Fenton, 18. Sarpreet Singh, 19. Tom Doyle, 20. Oliver Sail (Gk), 21. Roy Krishna, 22. Andrew Durante (C), 23. Max Burgess, 27. Steven Taylor.
Adelaide United
2. Michael Marrone, 3. Scott Galloway, 4. Ryan Strain, 5. Taylor Regan, 6. Vince Lia, 7. Ryan Kitto, 8. Isaías Sánchez (C), 10. Ken Ilsø, 11. Craig Goodwin, 16. Nathan Konstandopoulos, 17. Nikola Mileusnić, 20. Paul Izzo (Gk), 22. Michael Jakobsen, 23. Jordan Elsey, 26. Ben Halloran, 30. Isaac Richards (Gk), 32. Carlo Armiento, 33. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Adelaide United has beaten the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium to the tune of three goals to one and now moves to third position on the A-League ladder. Despite falling behind within the first 15 minutes, the Reds slowly but surely worked their way into the game and eventually took control. It sent the home side to its third straight loss after the home fans were filled with hope early in the match. Mandi Sosa found the net early for the home side after collecting the left overs from a corner and the Phoenix did well throughout the remainder of the first half. Well, almost. Just before the break, Tom Doyle deflected a vicious cross into his own net; the crowd was stunned and the scores were level. It was a disappointing moment for Mark Rudan's men, who had stifled the Red's attack for much of the half. Before people had downed their half-time beers, the Reds had taken the lead from a Ken Ilso header and his second goal in the 64th minute effectively sealed the match for the visitors. Mark Rudan was noticeably frustrated on the sideline and Marco Kurz well pleased with his team's effort on the road. It will be back to the drawing board for the Phoenix; requiring much more potency in attack and the Reds will be starting to feel that they can make a real impact on the A-League this season. Final Score Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Adelaide now temporarily in 3rd.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the blog. The match report will follow in five minutes. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
95' Goodwin fires late on goal. Kurto saves and that is it. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
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Expert
94' Late throw for the visitors. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
94' Free kick to the visitors in midfield. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
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Expert
94' Seconds remain. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
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Expert
94' Galloway fires on goal but it is high and wide. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
93' Isaias on the attack late for the Reds. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
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Expert
92' That will be it for the home side. Despite an early lead, they were not good enough tonight and the Reds slowly built into the match; eventually taking control. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
91' Rufer with a shot for the home side yet it is well wide of the mark. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
91' Four minutes of added time? From where?
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Expert
90' Goal kick Wellington.
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Expert
90' Final minute of normal time as Halloran fires wide after a clean break from the Reds. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
89' Not long to go as the Reds possess and go all the way back to Izzo. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' The Phoenix fire a ball into the box yet there is no one there to finish and the Reds will play out from the back. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
87' The long ball forward for Williams doesn't quite work and the Reds have another goal kick. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
86' Durante is fouled and time is running out for the home side. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
86' Wellington come back at the visitors again. Wellington Phoenix 1 Adelaide United 3