Source: Radio New Zealand
Wellington Phoenix striker Ifeanyi Eze. photosport
Wellington Phoenix have squandered a two-goal advantage and missed a late penalty in a roller-coaster 2-2 home draw against Melbourne City.
Wellington’s 500th A-League match result was exactly the same as their first, having drawn 2-2 with Melbourne Victory in their inaugural competition fixture in 2007.
Coach Giancarlo Italiano was in no mood to reminisce, believing his side deserved the three points, paying a heavy price for defensive lapses late in the match.
“I don’t know what to make of that game to be honest,” Italiano told media.
“I’m disappointed. I feel as though if we play that game 20 times, that won’t be the result.”
The result doesn’t help the ninth placed home side in their bid to climb into the top six, with Brisbane and Melbourne City both still two points ahead of them in sixth and seventh respectively on a congested table.
Striker Ifeanyi Eze scored once in each half to put Wellington in control but the visitors scored twice in a five minute period, with their second coming via a dreadful mistake in possession from Bill Tuiloma.
Seasoned All Whites international Tuiloma was composed in his first match for the Phoenix but his error was highlighted by Italiano.
“The second goal was just comical. I’m not going to sit here and blame anyone for it. Bill [Tuiloma] got caught in possession, but I thought he was outstanding for the rest of the game.
“I thought with the ball he gave us a different dimension, especially in the first half under pressure.”
Manjrekar James had a chance to win the match for the Phoenix in stoppage time but his penalty was saved.
“But the penalty isn’t the reason we ended up drawing, it was that five minutes where we should have just done a little bit better,” Italiano said.
Wellington face another crucial home match on Friday, against the eighth-placed Melbourne Victory.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
