Saturday nights not all right for Phoenix
The Wellington Phoenix have got Saturday Night Fever — and there is no obvious cure in sight.
The Phoenix slumped to a 1-0 loss to Adelaide last night, bringing their recent mini resurgence to a swift halt.
The result continued a bizarre run for the Phoenix, who haven’t taken three points on a Saturday night in the capital for almost a year. And the scoreline was a fair reflection of the contest, with Adelaide dominant and a class above for most of the match.
Alex Rufer hit the crossbar in the final minute, but generally the hosts lacked a cutting edge. There was plenty of hustle, and moments where the ball bobbled and bounced around the Adelaide penalty area, but there wasn’t the necessary quality.
It meant Andrew Durante’s record equalling 278th A-League game was far from memorable for the captain. He gave his usual wholehearted effort but was caught out for the goal and also picked up a booking.
The Phoenix’s recent form, with wins over Melbourne Victory and Newcastle, had given hope that something can be salvaged from this season. And Adelaide arrived in Wellington seemingly vulnerable, on a three-game winless streak and missing influential skipper Isa´ıas.
Roy Krishna (hamstring) was a late scratching, replaced by Adam Parkhouse. Coach Darije Kalezic elected to use Goran Paracki in central defence, in place of the suspended Marco Rossi.
Adelaide’s goal was a calamity for the home side. Some clever interplay near halfway released George Blackwood, after Durante and Paracki were lured forward. Neither could reel in the Adelaide striker, who produced a tame shot which rolled between Lewis Italiano’s legs. Italiano should have done better, but the goal exposed the lack of pace and understanding between the makeshift defensive pairing.
The Phoenix had numerous set piece opportunities in the first half but no clearcut chances. The visitors were much slicker in possession, with the Phoenix relying on counterattacks, as has been their formula during the recent run of success.
But without Krishna’s pace, they lacked outlets. Andrija Kaludjerovic struggled after an early knock, and never looked likely to break his scoring drought, before being replaced just before the hour mark.
The Phoenix lifted in the second half with more energy and intensity, and a Matthew Ridenton cross shaved the Adelaide crossbar before Durante went close with a header. But they couldn’t summon the necessary invention for an equaliser, and remain bottom of the A-League.
Wellington Adelaide 1 (G. Blackwood).