Phoenix fights but only draw against Sydney

Phoenix gave huge fight against the top table side Sydney FC at WestPac Stadium, but could not keep their lead in the second half to grab another win in the A-League 2019/20 season. The team kept their unbeaten run extending it to six matches without a defeat.

Sydney pulled ahead in the scoreline after a defensive lapse of concentration between Stefan Marivonic and Luke DeVere that allowed the English striker Adam le Fondre to score the first goal of Sydney. It did not take long for the New Zealanders to level the score – David Ball provided a superb assist to the young Reno Piscopo to score his first A-League goal for Phoenix and equalize the match.

Phoenix kept their pressure ahead and the same Piscopo gave an excellent to cross to the Mexican midfielder Ulises Davila, the player scored for Phoenix to put his team ahead in the scoreboard – it was the seventh goal of the season for Davila, the top goalscorer of the Wellington in the season so far.

Sydney created chances still in the first half, but all of those were well managed by the Phoenix defense. The reality changed early in the second half with the introduction of Sydney star player Milos Ninkovic, the Serbian suffered a foul in the right side of the attack. Brattan crossed it to the area and an unfortunate touch of Phoenix captain Steven Taylor made the ball touch his own nets to give Sydney the equalizer.

Sydney had some chances to score their thrid goal, but It was Phoenix that created the most opportunities. Liberato Cacace made a superb play in a run in his side of the pitch, he found Davila just close the goal but unfortunately for Phoenix the Mexican could not give a final touch strong enough to score. The introduction of the striker Gary Hooper in the final ten minutes of the game proved not enough for Phoenix to find a winner.

Phoenix has now 12 points in the standings of the Australian top-tier football league keeping at the 6th position in the run. Their next match will be in the next Saturday – 28/12 – against Western United away from home.