Wellington Phoenix traveled to Australia to play against Melbourne City and lost by 3-2 in the fourth round of 2019-20 Hyundai A-League.
The first goal of the match was scored by Gary Hooper after a David Ball’s assist. It was the first goal scored by the former Celtic forward for Phoenix. Melbourne City managed to turnaruond the game to 2-1 in the first half after Connor Metcalfe and Scott Galloway netted for the Citizens. Galloway’s goal was a marvelous one with a freaking left-footed shot from out of the box.
Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay made some changes in the dressing room for the second time. Callum McCowatt and Jaushua Sotirio replaced Reno Piscopo and Gary Hooper respectively. In the middle second half a penalty was awarded for Melbourne City after the Video Assistant Referee upheld an incorrect hand ball decision. Craig Noone netted the penalty kick to increase City’s lead to 3-1. Louis Fenton got very angry with the referees once the ball cleared hit his chest and not his arm.
After suffering the third goal, Mr. Talay sacked Wynton Rufer’s nephew Alex Rufer and sent young forward Ben Waine to the pitch. Waine was one of the best players of OFC Olympic Qualifier held in Fiji recently and he showed why he won the Silver Boot in the U23 Qualifier by scoring a goal in the late second half for Nix, his first ever goal in A-League.
But Waine’s goal was not enough for Wellington Phoenix that lost by 3-2. Nix remains in the last position in A-League with four losses in four matches.
Oceania Football Center 