Nix’s frailty in front of goal exposed in Sydney
WELLINGTON: Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay cut a frustrated figure following his side’s third defeat of the ALeague season.
The Phoenix was beaten 21 by reigning champion Sydney FC in Sydney, as All Whites forward Kosta Barbarouses scored both of Sydney’s goals.
As was the case in its previous two losses, Wellington again had more shots on and off target than its opponents.
‘‘It’s frustrating, disappointing the boys don’t reward themselves with the opportunities they create,’’ Talay said.
‘‘I think the first 1520 minutes we played some really good football, created a couple of good opportunities and, like I said pregame, this game was about being clinical in front of goal because it’s a very tight game against Sydney FC always.’’
He concedes his team’s struggles in front of goal are ‘‘a little bit’’ of a concern.
‘‘But the main thing is we’re in the right areas and we’re getting in those areas. If we weren’t getting in those areas I think it’d be a major concern, but we’re there or thereabouts.
‘‘I think it’s going to come to one of those games when they all do click and they are clinical. Might be a big scoreline.’’
Captain Ulises Davila scored the Phoenix’s only goal in secondhalf stoppage time and now accounts for half of Wellington’s six goals this season.
‘‘We rely on all of our players to create opportunities. Uli had a good game today and created a lot of opportunities,’’ Talay said.
‘‘We hit the post two times in the game as well, so you know, a lot of the other players need to step up, as well. They’re in the right areas, they just need to put that ball in the back of the net.’’
Reno Piscopo set up Davila’s stoppage time goal after coming off the bench to make his first appearance of the season.
‘‘Obviously we were planning on 30 minutes. Turned out to be 45 and the main thing is he got through it,’’ Talay said.
‘‘Reno is a different player. He gives a bit more creativity and gives us a bit of dribbling, as well. because he likes to run at players.’’
Piscopo replaced striker Tomer Hemed at halftime as the Israeli was ‘‘feeling a bit tight, so we didn’t take any risk’’.
The Phoenix have more concern for young midfielder Cameron Devlin, who was forced off the field late in the firsthalf with a knee injury.
‘‘I’m not too sure where he’s at. He came off feeling his knee, but we’ll find out in the next couple of days where he’s at.
‘‘Cammy’s one of those ones that doesn’t want to come off the park and obviously it must have been hurting him for us to take him off.’’
The Phoenix next hosts the top of the table Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, the first of three matches in eight days. — RNZ