Wellington Phoenix
1
Match Complete
Perth Glory
2
| U. DA!vila |  | 95' | ||
| 57' |  | A. Grant | ||
| D. Ball | | 55' | ||
| A. Rufer | | 53' | ||
| 33' | | C. Ikonomidis | ||
| 25' | | G. WA 1/4 thrich | ||
| 11' | | B. Fornaroli |
| 14 | Shots | 13 | ||
| 4 | On Target | 8 | ||
| 11 | Fouls | 13 | ||
| 8 | Corners | 4 | ||
| 1 | Offsides | 1 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
Match result:
Perth Glory put in a professional display to record their first win of the A-League season against Wellington Phoenix, taking the match 2-1.
The Phoenix started the match off strongly but failed to convert their chances and Perth opened the scoring instead in the 11th minute through Bruno Fornaroli.
Diego Castro found the ball with some space, as became a trend throughout the match, and ran at the hapless Nix defence and cut a ball in for the Uruguayan to finish.
Perth went on to dominate the first half following their goal, and with that uplifted confidence, they doubled their lead courtesy of Chris Ikonomidis, this time assisted by Fornaroli.
The second half was better by the Phoenix, but with a two-goal advantage, Perth were happy to hold their lead and didn’t push numbers forward.
Although they often got the ball into dangerous areas, there was never someone to put the finishing touch and kickstart a comeback.
Wellington’s consolation goal came late on as new marquee signing, Gary Hooper won a penalty after he was hatched down by Dino Djulbic in the box while they were contesting a header.
Ulises Davila took the penalty, but it was too little too late.
Perth now have finally recorded their first win, and the premiership winners will be hoping this kickstarts their campaign following a stuttering start to their season.
As for the Nix, although they have shown signs of life in their opening matches, they’re still without a point after three matches.
Sooner or late, Wellington will need to match the result with the performance.
Final score
Wellington Phoenix 1
Perth Glory 2
Match preview:
Yesterday’s clash of Sydney has overshadowed the almost certainly better matchup of the weekend – the Distance Derby, between Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4pm (AEDT).
Perth Glory have taken an arduous nine-hour journey to go across the ditch for this fixture and it would sting badly if they were to make that long trip back home without anything but three points.
Both teams have struggled so far to find their rhythm in this A-League campaign and neither of them have recorded a win.
This is perhaps more surprising for last season’s dominant force, Popovic’s Glory, and they will be desperate to finally get a win on the board.
What’s going wrong is not entirely clear in these early days — three points was snatched in the death against Brisbane in the first round and then a scrappy draw with Western United last week.
Although they have lost their opening two games, Wellington are not a bad team and have challenged both Western United and Sydney FC so far.
The suspension of Liberato Cacace will certainly hurt Phoenix’s cause, but they will be boosted by the arrival of former Premier League striker Gary Hooper, who is expected to feature for the first time in Wellington colours.
Prediction
Going for a big call here, but I just have this funny feeling that Wellington will upset last season’s Premiership winners, with Nix playmaker Ulises Davila announcing himself to the A-League.
3-1 to the Phoenix.
Where: Westpac Stadium
When: 27 October 2019, 4pm AEDT
Betting odds: Wellington Phoenix $3.25, Draw $3.60, Perth Glory $2.15
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Wazza was brought in to toughen up the culture and bring some yoof through. So yes he thought he’d stamp his authority. It works with yoof who don’t want to jeopardise their playing career and will go along with the coach but experienced players don’t want to be shouted at by a no-name coach.
Griffo
Roar Guru
The part I do get is that Joyce appeared to want to be the biggest person on the room. Which isn’t saying he demanded respect vs isolating anyone who appeared a bigger name or influence than he was. At what point do you support the coach over (an apparaently) toxic environment not all (by appearances) the players own making? Hopefully the worst is in the past for you guys now. We had that quiet a few years ago and it is a pile of .... that you don’t have control over.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Next game
TPC
Roar Rookie
Very happy with that, when the game was there to be win we were all over them and probably with 2 in the bag after about 70 mins it was all about protecting the lead and taking the 3 pts home.
Shabab Hossain
Expert
That's all from me today everyone. Thanks for joining The Roar's coverage of the A-League, doesn't end here either with the New Melbourne derby about to start. See you again next week! Cheers.
Shabab Hossain
Expert
Perth Glory put in a professional display to record their first win of the A-League season against Wellington Phoenix, taking the match 2-1. Phoenix started the match off strongly but failed to convert their chances and Perth opened the scoring instead in the 11th minute through Fornaroli. Diego Castro found the ball with some space, as became a trend throughout the match, and ran at the hapless Nix defence and cut a ball in for the Uruguayan to finish. Perth went on to dominate the first half following their goal, and with that uplifted confidence, they doubled their lead courtesy of Chris Ikonomidis, this time assisted by Fornaroli. The second half was better by the Phoenix, but with a two goal advantage, Perth were happy to hold their lead and didn't push numbers forward. Although they often got the ball into dangerous areas, there was never someone to put the finishing touch and kickstart a comeback. Wellington's consolation goal came late on as new marquee signing, Gary Hooper won a penalty after he was hatched down by Dino Djulbic in the box while they were contesting a header. Ulises Davila took the penalty, but it was too little to late. Perth now, have finally recorded their first win and the Premiership winners will be hoping this kickstarts their season following a stuttering beginning to their season. As for the Nix, although they have shown signs of life in their opening matches, they're still without a point after three matches. Sooner or late, Wellington will need to match the result with the performance.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Good effort by Perth to get three points.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Whaddyaknow Nix with a penalty at the death and Perth began protecting the lead with a heavy defensive block. :happy:
Griffo
Roar Guru
Defensively I’d say that is Poppa’s trademark. Nix with plenty of attack though and Reddy great last line of defence.
95'
Shabab Hossain
Expert
FULL TIME Wellington Phoenix - 1 Perth Glory - 2
Shabab Hossain
Expert
90 + 4' - Ulises Davila gets one back from the spot. Bottom right corner, Reddy goes the right way but pinpoint accurate, no stopping that. Now the Phoenix rush back to restart. Wellington Phoenix - 1 Perth Glory - 2
Shabab Hossain
Expert
Clear cut penalty, no doubt about it. VAR doesn't even have to check. Wellington Phoenix - 0 Perth Glory - 2
Shabab Hossain
Expert
90' + 3 PENALTY WELLINGTON PHOENIX Piscopo puts in a ball into the box which Ball heads into the centre for Gary Hooper who he is taken down by Dino Djulbic. Wellington Phoenix - 0 Perth Glory - 2
Shabab Hossain
Expert
90 + 2' - Ben Waine receives the ball out wide and puts in a cross which reaches Hooper. His back to goal so he has to twist to get a shot off but it's deflected out of the box and the following cross is clutched gratefully to by Reddy. Wellington Phoenix - 0 Perth Glory - 2
Shabab Hossain
Expert
90 + 1' - Feel like they've lost that spark in the last few minutes, the Nix. Resigned to defeat at this point. Wellington Phoenix - 0 Perth Glory - 2
Stevo
Roar Rookie
The inability to break through a defensive wall. How many times have I heard that in the A-league.
Shabab Hossain
Expert
90' - 4 minutes of added time. Wellington Phoenix - 0 Perth Glory - 2
Shabab Hossain
Expert
89' - Perth Glory SUB - Osama Malik (ON) Dino Djulbic (ON) Wellington Phoenix - 0 Perth Glory - 2
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Correct but Wazza was a one man wrecking ball. The most troubling part of the whole sorry saga is why our overlords just stood back and let a record goal scoring player and fan favourite be treated like cr@p. It still troubles many supporters.