Agony for Durante as late error costs Phoenix
A rare defensive error from Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante handed the Brisbane Roar an important win last night.
Durante was unable to deal with an innocuous long ball over the top with just three minutes left in the match at Westpac Stadium, allowing Brandon Borello to charge towards goal, before squaring to Jamie Maclaren to tap home into an empty net for a 1-0 win.
Not only was it an uncharacteristic error from the skipper, but it came at the end of what had been strong performances from both back fours, including Durante.
Both teams came into the match having conceded 20 goals in 15 games and it looked as though both would leave with clean sheets in a match of few clear-cut chances.
The first half had been a tale of neither side being able to find a good final ball or decisive finish to find the back of the net.
The Roar had the better of possession and got their fullbacks charging deep into the Phoenix half to pin the home team back.
Manuel Arana had the best of the Roar’s chances in the half, including hitting the post from the edge of the area and sending a volley from the edge of the six-yard box sailing wide after a well worked short corner.
It was Roly Bonevacia with the Phoenix’s best effort. He produced a sublime bit of skill to split two defenders on the edge of the box with a swivelling touch, but slipped as he tried to shoot and missed the ball completely.
The Phoenix came out firing in a more open second half.
Kosta Barbarouses started the good play by skinning Luke DeVere on the halfway line before charging towards goal. Unfortunately, his cross to try and find Shane Smeltz at the back post drifted harmlessly away.
Phoenix right back Jacob Tratt had two good chances in quick succession midway through the half. Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo easily dealt with his first oneon-one effort before the defender scuffed his second attempt between defenders as he searched for his second goal in as many matches.
By that point it was the Phoenix looking much the more likely. It was as if they had been playing into a stiff breeze in the first half and the turnaround suddenly allowed them to dominate. In actual fact, Wellington’s notorious wind was strangely absent in what were perfect conditions for football. Brisbane still looked dangerous on the counter as the Phoenix pushed men forward in search of a winner. Borello and Dimitri Petratos both forced Phoenix ‘keeper Glen Moss into excellent saves with their shots from the edge of the box.
It was then left to Maclaren to seal the win after coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute – his goal silenced the 6449 fans in attendance and would no doubt leave Durante feeling sick to his stomach.
The win moves the Roar into a clear fourth, while the Phoenix are in fifth, but could drop as low as seventh if results don’t go their way later this weekend.
The bad news continued for the Phoenix late on as Marco Rossi picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning he will miss the trip to Adelaide United.