Wellington Phoenix have taken all three points from this afternoon’s Hyundai A-League clash at Westpac Stadium.
Henrique was the Roar’s only goal scorer in a disappointing result in Wellington, with the home side running out 4-1 victors with three unanswered second-half goals.
An opening half which was starved of opportunities at both ends of the park didn’t come to life until in its final stages with both sides finding late goals.
The Phoenix were the first to trouble the scorers with an attempted clearance from a long throw being inadvertently turned into the net for an own goal, but the Roar weren’t behind for long.
On the cusp of the break, an inch-perfect ball from Jack Hingert was met with a similarly superb shot from Henrique, leaving Filip Kurto with little chance as the ball nestled into the top left corner.
The Roar started the second half strongly & forced Kurto into action with a number of good chances, but it would be the Phoenix who were next to find the net with a well-placed finish from David Williams putting the home side back in front.
That lead was doubled from the penalty spot five minutes later by Roy Krishna before Sarpreet Singh added a fourth for the home side in second-half stoppage time.
The Roar round out 2018 on the road again next Saturday night, facing defending premiers Sydney FC at Jubilee Stadium (6:50pm KO).
STORY OF THE GAME
- Both goals were rarely threatened until a late first-half goal for the Phoenix was cancelled out by Henrique in stoppage time.
- The Phoenix found the back of the net three times in the second-half to take the points with a 4-1 win.
- Shannon Brady played his first minutes of Season 2018/19, replacing Tobias Mikkelsen just after the hour mark.
GOALS
Wellington Phoenix – Own goal – 1-0
A long throw from the left loops over the head of Jamie Young & into the bottom corner via deflections from two Roar defenders.
Brisbane Roar – Henrique 45+1′ – 1-1
Jack Hingert whips in a dangerous cross which finds the Slippery Fish near the penalty spot and he buries a first-time effort.
Wellington Phoenix – Williams 75′ – 2-1
David Williams whips a first-time effort from the corner of the area into the bottom right corner.
Wellington Phoenix – Krishna 80′ – 3-1
Krishna converts from the penalty spot to double the home side’s lead.
Wellington Phoenix – Singh 90+3′ – 4-1
Sarpreet Singh splits the wall with a free-kick from an acute angle and finds the bottom corner.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 9: Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Saturday, 22 December
Wellington Phoenix 4 (o.g. 34′, Williams 75′, Krishna 80′ pen., Singh 90+3′)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Henrique 45+1′
Half-time: 1-1
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