Wellington Phoenix
1
Match Complete
Melbourne Victory
1
| 79' |  | S. Roux | ||
| 73' | | J. Donachie | ||
| 67' |  | K. Honda | ||
| R. Krishna | | 57' | ||
| A. Rufer | | 51' | ||
| 32' | | K. Barbarouses |
| 18 | Shots | 19 | ||
| 4 | On Target | 5 | ||
| 17 | Fouls | 12 | ||
| 13 | Corners | 12 | ||
| 0 | Offsides | 1 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
The A-League heads to Auckland at the beginning of Round 19, with an intriguing Friday night fixture seeing the Wellington Phoenix host the Melbourne Victory at Eden Park. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:35pm (AEDT).
The Phoenix find themselves in an intriguing situation at the moment, and this home game could be crucial for the club in moving a step closer to a finals berth.
They sit sixth after 18 rounds of action, and despite their being nine games to go for all clubs, many pundits are starting to think the top six is already locked in.
Their draw last week away from home against the Newcastle Jets was huge, especially considering the Jets are seventh and a win would have shut the gap to just five points.
Alas, it didn’t happen and the Phoenix are sitting pretty comfortably.
Wellington have sometimes struggled in front of goals this year, and that’s reflected in just having 25 goals in 18 games, but they do have potential on the pitch, led by Roy Krishna.
He will have to be on fire against the Victory with pace to burn on the wing if they are to break down one of the best defences in the competition, led by Georg Niedermeier and former Socceroo Carl Valeri.
While the Victory’s defence has been good, their 40 goals are the real reason they sit atop the A-League table. Their attack has been explosive at the worst of times, and that’s with Keisuke Honda injured for a fair chunk of time.
Honda, along with Ola Toivonen and Kosta Barbarouses are the most dangerous attacking line in the league, and if the Wellington defence – as good as it’s been – aren’t at their absolute best with Filip Kurto having a blinder in goals, then the scoreline could rack up, because the Victory will almost certainly dominate possession if they are anywhere near their best.
Even with that top three though, they did go down to the Perth Glory 2-1 in a nailbiter last Sunday.
That being said, it’ll be all about the counter-attack for Wellington and again, the pace of players like Krishna, the in-form David Williams and attacking midfielder Sarpreet Singh if they are to get on the board and give this game a real shake.
Prediction
It’s a tough game to tip this. The Victory have weapons all over the park and that’s proven on the table, but they might be a bit sluggish to start on the road. I tend to think the Phoenix might burst out to a lead, then get reigned in with the sides sharing the points at the end of 90 minutes.
Phoenix 2 – Victory 2.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the match from 5:35pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment throughout the course of the coverage.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:35pm (AEDT)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
TV: Live, Fox Sports 505
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports, My Football app
Betting: Victory $2, Phoenix $3.25, draw $3.75
Overall record: Played 20, Victory 12, Phoenix 6, draw 2
Referee: Peter Green
Wellington Phoenix (squad)
1. Filip Kurto (GK), 20. Oliver Sail (GK), 4. Mandi Sosa, 5. Ryan Lowry, 6. Dylan Fox, 7. Cillian Sheridan, 9. Nathan Burns, 11. David Williams, 12. Antony Golec, 13. Liberato Cacace, 14. Alex Rufer, 15. Michal Kopczynski, 16. Louis Fenton, 18. Sarpreet Singh, 21. Roy Krishna, 22. Andrew Durante, 23. Max Burgess, 27. Steven Taylor
Melbourne Victory (squad)
1.Matt Acton (GK), 20.Lawrence Thomas (GK), 2.Storm Roux, 3.Corey Brown, 4. Keisuke Honda, 5. Georg Niedermeier, 6.Leigh Broxham, 7.Kenny Athiu, 9.Kosta Barbarouses, 10.James Troisi, 14.Tommy Deng, 15.Raul Baena, 16.Josh Hope, 17. James Donachie, 19. Rahmat Akbari, 24.Elvis Kamsoba, 25.Anthony Lesiotis
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Wow, over 23000 at Eden Park according to the local paper today. Maybe it should be the NZ Phoenix, a little more nomadic or flit between two cities. Amazing difference when theteam is performing. Last time at Eden Park the ceowd was under 6000.
Haydos
Guest
Thanks Wellington. Perth now have the chance to go 3 games clear at the top.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yup, great game that.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018-19 A-League season. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Right now, it's time to flick over and join Lucas Gillard for his live coverage of a likely fatigued Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City in the second game on this Friday evening of football. Otherwise, I'm going to be back in about 15 minutes with the NRL All Stars clash between the Australian Indigenous and New Zealand Maori side. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME In front of a regular season record crowd for the Wellington Phoenix at Eden Park, they have drawn with the Melbourne Victory after 90 minutes of high-intensity football. In a game which never slowed down from start to finish and was end-to-end both ways, there was only a goal a piece during the second half, although the Victory might consider themselves fortunate to have taken a point away from Auckland. The Victory had the better of the chances in the first half, but couldn't find a way to put a goal away, with the game fairly even. Wellington then got the first goal on the board through Roy Krishna, with the Phoenix looking extremely dangerous on the counter attack throughout. David Williams and Sarpreet Singh, alongside Krishna were very dangerous. Keisuke Honda made a difference for the Victory, but still couldn't find a goal outside of a controversial penalty awarded in the 66th minute. In the end, nothing to split these sides for the third time this A-League season. Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Wow, didn't that come alive in the second half!! Great crowd, very good entertainment.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME A long ball forward for the Victory. It's partially cleared, the Victory can't go forward again, and for the third time in this A-League season, the Victory and Phoenix have drawn. Wonderful exhibition of football that at Eden Park in front of a huge crowd for a Friday night. Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 4' - Not a bad cross here from Honda, but Fenton wins the race to that ball, the clearance goes back to halfway and that's probably going to be it. Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 4' - Just an excellent game of football this. Here come the Victory again though with a throw-in near the corner flag. Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 3' - Cacace now runs at Roux, goes around him and Deng clears this time. The ball comes straight back, but Thomas makes the catch with 90 seconds to go - or thereabouts. Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 2' - Counter attack for the Victory. Kamsoba down the left wing, then he finds Troisi, but instead of going for glory, tries to find a teammate and turns it over with two minutes to go. Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 2' - Rufer takes the shot around the wall and into the gap, but Thomas saw it coming and makes a good catch. Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP PHOENIX!
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 1' - Foul on the edge of the box for the Phoenix here. Sheridan taken down by Donachie. This could be it for the Phoenix. Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90' - FOUR MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME Will we find a winner here? Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90' - Into the final minute of regulation. Rufer puts it into the pack, Thomas punches, then Troisi clears up the field. Free kick fort he Victory as well. Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
89' - Another corner. Nice run from Cacace and Deng deflects behind. Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
89' - Durante with a foul on Honda and that sets up a free kick. Taken quickly, then a through ball for Athiu is behind for a goal kick. Tell you what, a one-all draw is probably the fair result from this game. You feel like there are goals coming, but this has been relatively evenly matched for both sides throughout. Phoenix 1 Victory 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
88' - SUB: Phoenix - Max Burgess (on), Mandi Sosa (off) Kamsoba now with a shot on the back of the corner, but it's been deflected, back out and the follow up shot from Kamsoba off the non-prefered foot is over the bar. Here is the Phoenix sub. Phoenix 1 Victory 1