Little luck as Phoenix downed in Adelaide

The Wellington Phoenix last night underlined the old sporting adage that little goes your way when you’re propping up the table.

Playing in Adelaide, the Phoenix should have had a penalty when Nathan Burns was fouled inside the first four minutes.

Referee Peter Green remained silent and the ball fell to Roy Krishna, whose soft shot was deflected slightly on to the post. And that was as close as Wellington came to scoring until Logan Rogerson won and converted a soft penalty in the 84th minute.

By that time, though, the Phoenix were three down and the game was over as a contest.

The Australian commentators and pundits covering the match were unanimous that the Phoenix should have had an early spot kick. Taking the lead so soon could maybe have changed the course of the game.

Then again, probably not, because Wellington’s penchant for alarming defensive lapses would have likely rendered a one-goal headstart only a minor irritant for the hosts.

After seeing off that early threat, Adelaide dominated the rest of the match. The Phoenix held out for most of the first half but then folded.

Olly Sail, Wellington’s fourth goalkeeper this season, made three handy saves in the opening half hour but was badly exposed when an unmarked Johan Absalonsen headed home at the near post just before the break.

When Ben Garuccio fired into the roof of the net on the hour mark and Nathan Konstandopoulos netted two minutes later, it was game over. Adelaide 3 ( Johan Absalonsen 42, Ben Garuccio 61, Nathan Konstandopoulos 63)

Wellington 1 (Logan Rogerson 84 pen). Halftime: 1-0.