Phoenix shock Roar to stop the rot
The Wellington Phoenix defied form and history to the Brisbane Roar.
The A-League strugglers came into the match at Suncorp Stadium yesterday on the back of three straight losses and having won just once in Brisbane in almost 10 years. But they produced a gritty performance to beat the fourthplaced Roar 2-1.
They scored goals to Shane Smeltz and Roy Krishna either side of halftime before a backs-to-thewall defensive display over the last 20 minutes sealed the three points.
It wasn’t the greatest start for the Phoenix when Marco Rossi limped off early in the first half with a hamstring injury, replaced by Dylan Fox.
But the excellent Glen Moss would produce a string of saves to ensure his side conceded just one have upset goal. His first real piece of action was to deny Thomas Broich in a one-on-one chance midway through the half. The Phoenix defence had parted far too easily in the leadup to let the German go free on goal.
Brisbane were the more threatening side at that point, gaining 60 percent of possession, but were struggling to find a decisive final ball. It was somewhat against the run of play that Smeltz opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. It was a wonderful cross from left back Adam Parkhouse to the back post, with questionable Roar defending leaving the Kiwi marksman open for a free header and his 91st A-League goal – going clear second on the all-time scorers list.
Parkhouse started the game because regular left back Tom Doyle was stood down for one game, along with Roly Bonevacia and Ryan Lowry, for breaking team protocols. That made the win even more sweet for co-coaches Des Buckingham and Chris Greenacre, who stuck to their guns to drop the trio despite this being a must-win match. Matt Ridenton was the other beneficiary of the trios’ antics, starting in attacking midfield in place of Bonevacia.
The Phoenix started the second half well and produced a good bit of play to go two goals up in the 61st minute.
Smeltz slipped in Kosta Barbarouses down the right side, who played a low first-time cross for Roy Krishna to slam into the bottom corner.
The Phoenix played with fire by shutting up shop with about 20 minutes to go. Brandon Borrello made them pay for sitting back by curling his shot from the edge of the box past a stranded Moss 15 minutes from fulltime.
The goal saw a period of attacking play from the Phoenix capped by a Krishna volley going wide. Smeltz also had a chance to seal it 10 minutes from fulltime, but was stopped by a last-ditch tackle from a Roar defender.
But with five minutes to go they again went into their shells, allowing Brisbane to attack. The fatigue was showing when Parkhouse had to be replaced by James McGarry with severe cramps, but they somehow managed to hold on.
The win lifts the Phoenix to seventh on the ladder, while the Roar remain fourth.