Wellington Phoenix
2
Match Complete
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
0
| L. Cacace |  | 88' | ||
| 86' |  | P. Ziegler | ||
| 73' | | D. McGowan | ||
| 54' | | P. Schwegler | ||
| U. DA!vila | | 15' |
| 8 | Shots | 14 | ||
| 2 | On Target | 2 | ||
| 8 | Fouls | 15 | ||
| 3 | Corners | 6 | ||
| 2 | Offsides | 1 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
The A-League continues this afternoon when the Wellington Phoenix host the Western Sydney Wanderers. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 2:45pm (AEDT).
How quickly things change in football. At the beginning of this season, the Wellington Phoenix were rooted to the bottom of the table, struggling for any semblance of form, while the Western Sydney Wanderers looked like strong contenders after earning several gritty wins.
Coming into this fixture, though, and things look markedly different. The Kiwis occupy fourth spot, a mere four points from finding themselves in second, while the Wanderers lie in eight, far closer to the bottom than the top of the standings.
The Phoenix triumphed in their last two games by a 2-1 scoreline and will be hopeful of making it a third this Saturday. If Ufuk Talay’s men avoid defeat, it would see them equal their best unbeaten run, achieved under Mark Rudan’s stewardship last season.
The Wanderers lost to the Brisbane Roar last time out and Markus Babbel will know the red and black faithful will be getting ever more restless if things don’t improve. He does have influential midfielder Pirmin Schwegler available again after suspension and the former Swiss international could make an immediate return this weekend to help his team.
Expect marquee signings on both sides to feature heavily. Gary Hooper finished off a wonderful team move for the Phoenix against the Central Coast Mariners and looks to be getting fully fit, and Nicolai Muller has been the main source of inspiration for the Wanderers in the last few rounds.
Prediction
Babbel has insisted that he won’t change his tactics to combat the high-flying Phoenix but he’ll need his own players to step up and deliver better individual performances. They have had a longer recovery period than their hosts but Phoenix are absolutely confident in their play currently and should find a win for the home crowd in Wellington.
Game information
When: 2:45pm (AEDT)
Where: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Coverage: Fox Sports, Kayo
Odds: Wellington $2.00, Wanderers $3.50, draw $3.60
Wellington Phoenix predicted line-up
Stefan Marinovic, Tim Payne, Steven Taylor, Luke DeVere, Liberato Cacace, Ulises Davila, Cameron Devlin, Matti Steinmann, Callum McCowatt, David Ball, Gary Hooper
Western Sydney Wanderers predicted line-up
Daniel Lopar, Tarek Elrich, Dylan McGowan, Matt Jurman, Daniel Georgievski, Patrick Ziegler, Pirmin Schwegler, Mohamed Adam, Nicolai Muller, Mitchell Duke, Alexander Meier
conorl
Roar Pro
Thanks for joining us for this game today! Phoenix look a side transformed but it will have been a tough watch for anyone of a Wanderers persuasion.
conorl
Roar Pro
Match report: Wellington Phoenix equalled their club record nine matches unbeaten as they continued their impressive recent form with a 2-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers. The first half was dominated by the men in yellow, their passing crisper and more menacing, with Wanderers ponderous when they did get the ball. The little master Ulises Davila - by far the standout player on the field - deservedly opened the scoring after hitting the post with a similar effort moments before. Gary Hooper expertly laid off the ball to him on the edge of the Wanderers box and the attacker did the rest, taking a quick look up before unleashing a driven shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Wanderers, to their credit, did their utmost to find a way back into the game. Mitchell Duke came close on three separate occasions, with powerful shots that unfortunately couldn't find their target. Phoenix sealed the three points in the later stages, however, when the excellent Liberato Cacace drove forward from left back, jinked into the box past Dylan McCowan and nestled his shot past the scrambling Daniel Lopar. Given their earlier struggles, this win remarkably brings Phoenix into third spot in the A-League table, just one point behind Melbourne City. They next face Brisbane Roar and who would currently count against them finding another victory there? As for the woeful Wanderers, Markus Babbel is a man under massive pressure. They occupy eight position, a mere five points from last spot, and things don't get any easier next weekend when the in-form Perth Glory come to visit them in Sydney.
hog
Roar Rookie
Yeah Baby :silly: :silly: :silly: :thumbup: :thumbup:
conorl
Roar Pro
Match report to follow!
conorl
Roar Pro
FULL TIME: And Phoenix deservedly make it nine games unbeaten in a row! Wanderers improved as the game went on but couldn't find enough. It ends 2-0 to the Kiwis.
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92' - Grozos' shot is deflected wide. Last chance for Wanderers to find a consolation goal.
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Three minutes added on.
88'
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87' - GOAL! - What a glorious goal by the left back Cacace to all but seal the three points for Phoenix. He knocks the ball past this man, cuts in past McGowan and squeezes the ball past Lopar who couldn't get enough on it. Phoenix 2-0 Wanderers
86'
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85' - The referee gives a free kick to ease the pressure on Phoenix. Sullivan had his arms all over his opponent there. Phoenix 1-0 Wanderers
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82' - SUBSTITUTION - Yeboah is taken off for the debuting Auglah for Wanderers.
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79' - Duke runs onto the pass and snaps a sudden volley flashing past Marinovic's right hand post. That's his third excellent opportunity. Phoenix 1-0 Wanderers
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78' - SUBSTITUTION - The tiring Hooper comes off to a great ovation for Waine.
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77' - Duke's cross lands at Grozos at the back post but he can't find a teammate with the reverse pass. He looks frustrated and rightfully so. Phoenix 1-0 Wanderers
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76' - Muller slips in Yeboah who tries to hold onto the ball but Taylor pokes it out for a corner.
73'
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72' - Yellow card is issued to McGowan who cut off Sutton with Phoenix looking to break.
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Sutton has also joined the action, replacing Sotirio for Wanderers.
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Roar Pro
65' - Muller somehow squeezes a shot through a sea of yellow but Marinovic is thankful that it edges just past his left hand post.