At a glance
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Benwaine 7’) Western United 1 (Lachie Wales 27’).
played in New Zealand.
In a statement yesterday, the Phoenix said they would ‘‘make a further announcement regarding the venue and kickoff times for its remaining two home matches when these details have been confirmed’’.
■ Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay was left seething after his team was held to a frustrating and costly 1-1 draw in a feisty encounter against 10-man Western United in Launceston on Thursday night.
The Phoenix were desperate for a third consecutive win to stay in the hunt for the top six and Talay said it felt like an ‘‘opportunity missed’’ after failing to capitalise on their numerical advantage when Western were reduced to 10 men before halftime when defender Brendan Hamill copped a second yellow for catching Waine with his elbow while competing for a header in an aerial duel.
‘‘When we were 11 men [versus 10] we were casual, we were a little bit sloppy. I thought we made some poor decisions and the execution wasn’t good as well,’’ Talay said.