Phoenix suffers third defeat in a row

Western United, Sydney FC and now Perth Glory is the side that defeats Wellington Phoenix in their three first matches at 2019/20 A-League season. The experience of the 37-year old midfielder Diego Castro made a crucial impact for the game result.

The English marksman Gary Hooper was expected to be in the starting eleven for the Phoenix, but started in the bench. Walter Scott was selected by head coach Ufuk Talay to replace the suspended Liberato Cacace.

Phoenix started very well the match, pressing high the current A-League Premiers and having several corners that could not end up in any result for the home side. Despite their efforts, it was to be the Uruguyan Bruno Fornaroli to score the first goal of the match: after a superb play by Diego Castro, the veteran just rolls the ball for Fornaroli to find the nets of Stefan Marinovic at the 11th minute.

The goal surprised Phoenix that was having offensive approach in the starting minutes of the game. The defense of the home side seemed fragile since the goal suffered. The South Korean Kim Soo-beom had the perfect chance to increase the lead but was denied by a magnificent effort by Stefan Marinovic. Marinovic also needed to make another terrific save in a header of Bruno Fornaroli – keeping the scoreline 1-0 and his team alive in the game.

A defensive mistake at the 33th minute allowed Bruno Fornaroli to receive the ball inside area, the defense does not clear it away, the Uruguayan flicks back to area and finds Chris Ikonomidis, that with a powerful finish does not give a chance another save by Marinovic: Glory now ahead by 2.

The first half ended with a 2-0 advantage for Glory. The Perth side controlled the first half after scoring – Phoenix could not do much to challenge their control in the opening half of the game.

The second half started with a Nix decided to cut the deficit and the attacking third was much more occupied by the home side. The time for Hooper was coming, but Ufuk Talay decided to keep him for the final fifteen minutes. Phoenix created decent chances to score, especially with the Mexican midfielder Ulisses Dávila. The striker David Ball also was lively for the home side alongside his attacking partner Jaushua Sotirio.

Talay introduced Reno Piscopo in the place of Alex Rufer and in the final fifteen minutes finally Gary Hooper made his debut in place of Callum McCowatt. Ben Waine was also introduced in the game in place of Jaushua Sotirio. The pressure of Phoenix continued, but the scoreline kept the same until the 95th minute, when after a crossing David Ball flicks the ball to Hooper that is pushed by Dino Djulbic inside area – the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The effort of Phoenix resulted in a goal too late – Dávila took the penalty perfectly and reduced the scoreline to 2-1.

With another loss in the competition – all three matches of the season – Phoenix situation starts to worry their fans. They will need a positive result in their next match at AAMI Park in Melbourne against Melbourne City, next Sunday at 6pm NZT.

Gary Hooper introduction in the game, from the few chances he had to make impact, could provide a good signs of his quality: created a good chance for Ben Waine and suffered the penalty that Dávila scored. The expectations to see more of the new import striker in the next matches can increase the chances of better results for Wellington Phoenix.

Phoenix is the unique team in the league that is yet to draw or win a match, staying at the bottom of the page – 11th place – with 5 goals conceced and 2 goals scored, both from Ulisses Dávila.