Defective Phoenix irk Talay
Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay is counting on returning strikers David Ball and Tomer Hemed to fix the team’s finishing woes after crashing to the bottom of the A-League table.
Ball is poised to return to the starting XI for Sunday’s game against Newcastle Jets after completing his two-game suspension, while Hemed is expected to feature via the bench after shaking off a hamstring injury.
Their returns are a welcome boost. Without their two firstchoice strikers, the Phoenix managed just one shot on target from 18 during Wednesday night’s 2-0 loss to previous cellar dwellers Melbourne Victory.
They were punished for their toothless display in front of goal when Victory’s towering striker Rudy Gestede outjumped Alex Rufer to score twice from cornerkicks delivered by Jake Brimmer either side of halftime.
Talay summed up his frustration in the post-match press conference when he said if the A-League dished out awards for failing to convert chances and conceding soft goals, the Phoenix would win them both.
They have now conceded four goals from corners and eight from set-pieces in their first eight games.
‘‘If there was an award for a team that can get into the box and not score, we’d win that,’’ Talay said.
‘‘And if there was an award for allowing cheap goals from setpiece then we’d win that as well.
‘‘I’m very, very disappointed. From set-piece, especially when the ball is dead, you have time to adapt to the situation and it’s just tracking your runner and blocking players.
Melbourne Victory 2 (Rudy Gestede 45+3’, 49’) Wellington Phoenix 0. HT: 1-0.
‘‘It’s something that we spoke about and worked on before the game so that’s why it’s very disappointing for me to concede two goals like that.’’
Attacking midfielders Ulises Davila and Reno Piscopo regularly threatened Victory’s injuryravaged defence but the Phoenix’s only shot on target came from a Piscopo snapshot that was easily saved by Victory’s All Whites goalkeeper Max Crocombe.
Their best chance came when Piscopo laid the ball off for Rufer on the edge of the box. However, the midfielder, who is still searching for his maiden A-League goal, skied his shot over the crossbar.
‘‘I thought we played some good football. We got into good areas. But we have 18 shots and only one on target, and that’s where you get the result from,’’ Talay said.
‘‘It comes down to the attributes of the players. A bit of finesse, a bit of quality in the final third. We get into good areas but we don’t capitalise on our opportunities.’’
Wednesday’s defeat has left the Phoenix with one win from eight games. They are six points adrift of the top six but have the ability to make up significant ground if they can reverse their poor form and beat the sixthplaced Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium.
‘‘Bally will be back from suspension and hopefully Tomer can join us as well and give us a few minutes within the game. That’s promising that we’ll get two strikers back for the Newcastle game.’’