Wellington Phoenix fails at Season Home Opener

The Wellington Phoenix could not secure a positive result at their first match in the 2019/20 A-League season after a 1-0 defeat against the newcomers Western United FC. The New Zealand based club had chances to draw or even win the match but could not find the nets of their former goalkeeper Filip Kurto.

Ufuk Talay promoted seven debuts in the pick of starting team for the season opener: Stefan Marinovic, Luke DeVere, Matt Steinmann, Ulisses Dávila, Callum McCowatt, Jaushua Sotirio and David Ball. During the game the All-White Tim Payne also made his A-League debut alongside Junior Socceroos Reno Piscopo.

The English forward David Ball had a very good chance in the first half but the ball just passed near the post. Wellington kept a good defensive shape while Stefan Marinovic just made some easy stops. The young prospect Liberato Cacace hit a 30-meters shot that made the opposition goalkeeper to make a brilliant defense. But, at the 34th minute, a lapse of concentration of Phoenix defense allowed the veteran striker Besart Berisha to find nets unmarked inside the 6-yard box.

Wellington Phoenix fighted hard to bounce back in the second half and created decent chances to score. The addition of Tim Payne in the place of Louis Fenton at the Right Back position increased the fire power in the wings. David Ball was replaced by the youngster Reno Piscopo that showed some quality coming from behind as an attacking midfielder, while one of the New Zealand top prospects, Ben Waine, had a very important with a header that was close to the goal.

Ulisses Dávila, the Number 10 and former Chelsea FC midfielder, had a fantastic chance to score in the injury time with an indirect free-kick inside the penalty box. Unfortunately, the Mexican could not find the target and the game ended up with the first defeat of the season for the New Zealand side. Dávila is one of the highest hopes of Phoenix for season, but in this match against Western United the fans have all reasons to be dissapointed.

The Nix will be playing next Sunday – 20th October – their second match in A-League 2019/20 against the title holders Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval, 8pm NZT.