Phoenix rise to the occasion
MAYBE IT was the dew. Whatever the cause, the second leg of yesterday’s Football United Tour double header was a far slicker affair.
Never mind the result, a 1-0 win to Newcastle United over the Wellington Phoenix, it was more important that we got to see some quality football, after the stodge served up earlier by Sydney FC and West Ham United.
That was a game best forgotten, unlike this main course.
This had pace and intent and a good degree of intensity for a friendly, with a sizeable crowd of 30,968 and atmosphere to match.
The quality of both teams’ final touch, or pass, probably let them down, but you’d have to conclude this has been a worthwhile exercise for Phoenix owners Welnix.
The only shame is that the start of the A- League season is still months away.
It would be great if it could start next week, with interest is at some sort of peak, instead of October.
The Phoenix were more than worthy foes for Newcastle.
From the outset Albert Riera was looking as good on the ball as anyone, while Tyler Boyd and Tom Doyle, on the overlap, were prepared to run at defenders.
Jeremy Brockie will be remembered for spurning a host of chances, but at least he was lively, and putting himself in positions to score.
If you do that often enough the goals will come.
It was 41 minutes before either side could conjure one, when Newcastle’s Yoan Gouffran lobbed a header into the back of the net.
From a corner, the ball had been played short to Vurnon Anita, who hung one into the mixer.
Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss was enticed, but couldn’t get there, and Gouffran’s effort slipped quietly over the goal line.
Newcastle had played some nice stuff to that point and continued to, without ever really threatening Moss’ goal.
The same couldn’t be said for Brockie, who had a first- half header hit the post ( only to be ruled offside), then couldn’t convert opportunities in the 56th and 63rd minutes.
Rob Elliott palmed the first one past the post before getting the better of a situation that had looked entirely in Brockie’s favour.
Ben Sigmund put him through one-on-one with the big Irishman.
Brockie had time – perhaps too much – to pick his spot and couldn’t slip his left-footed shot past the advancing goalkeeper.
Brockie stood rooted to the spot for some time, obviously trying to work out why he hadn’t scored.
It was just as surprising from the stands, but Brockie will get goals if he stays positive and patient. The same for the Phoenix. They can play, they’ve shown that, but it’s doing it over an entire A-League season that’s this summer’s challenge.
Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick was delighted with the results of the tour – on and off the pitch.
‘‘Overall it’s just been a terrific tour,’’ Merrick said.
‘‘Two terrific EPL sides, the football was entertaining and unlucky not to be more goals tonight. Their goalkeeper pulled off a couple of great saves, Jeremy Brockie did everything right. 31,000 people here at Westpac Stadium – I’m over the moon. And the way our boys played, I actually think our boys played better football tonight than they did against West Ham [in Wednesday’s 2-1 win]. They continually built up from the back, kept possession really well and created goal- scoring chances up front. It was one of those nights where the ball wouldn’t go in the net but our football tonight was a step up from last week against a very slick outfit.’’
Newcastle goalkeeper Elliott concurred, heaping the praise.
‘‘I thought they were excellent,’’ Elliott said.
‘‘Backed by the crowd, they put us under pressure the whole time. I thought it was a really good game. You could say we were slightly lucky to win 1-0.’’
Meanwhile Auckland’s Onehunga Sports booked their first ever Chatham Cup semi- final appearance with a come- frombehind 2-1 victory over Hamilton’s Melville United yesterday.
Semi-finalists in 2013, Melville led 1- 0 at halftime after a 25th minute goal through Tewi Te Pou before the Auckland club, founded in 1957, levelled via former New Zealand U-20 international Sean Lovemore while substitute Daniel Culpan completed the turnaround with seven minutes to go.
The remaining three Cup quarter-finals will be played today. Defending champions Cashmere Technical of Christchurch travel to Dunedin Technical, Wellington’s Island Bay United host Napier City Rovers and Central United entertain Hamilton Wanderers.