Phoenix escape heat of Newcastle with all the pointsNEWCASTLE - Sunday, 22 November 2009The Wellington Phoenix today claimed all the points in the 40 degree heat of Northern NSW, amidst fire danger, and will thankful for the cooler home climate when they return from across the ditch - and now have retained 6th spot on the table, but in doing so did record their first away win of the season. In addition, they have also opened up a 3-point gap on Adelaide United who currently lie 7th. WELLINGTON Phoenix's first away win of the season has come at a critical juncture and coach Ricki Herbert is aiming to ensure his men ride a wave of confidence into the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 playoffs. The 1-0 win against the Newcastle Jets on a hot evening in the Hunter Valley saw the New Zealand-based club climb to fifth on the table as the competition heads into the business end. It was another gutsy performance from the Phoenix, with a solid defensive effort setting the platform for the win at EnergyAustralia Stadium following Paul Ifill's 14th-minute goal for the visitors. 2010-11 Hyundi A-League [rd15]:
The classy Briton poked home Tony Lochhead's cross to ensure the Phoenix's first win on the road since round 11 last season against Sydney FC, although they've looked good value for away wins in several matches thus far this season. Herbert, who sat in a coach's box in the stand at the game to ensure he didn't expose his players to a stomach illness he was suffering, pulled the strings superbly and was thrilled with how his team stepped up to the challenge in the 42-degree Celsius heat. Despite the Phoenix's New Zealand internationals backing up from last weekend's incredible World Cup qualifying win against Bahrain in Wellington, the Phoenix were still able to dominate the Jets across the park. "If we've ever been vulnerable going into a match it was probably this one," Herbert said. "We had a lot of guys back on international duty and that created a degree of disruption to our training, but everyone in the squad came back into training during the week having really lifted and they brought that across to Newcastle. The Wellington side's ability to shut down the Jets after taking the early lead was particularly impressive. "We grafted well after we scored," said Herbert. "Nobody likes going through those sorts of games, those 1-0 affairs that can be a little bit dour, but I think it'll do us a lot of good because we have to learn how to do it if we're to make the playoffs. It's about clearing your line, getting balls away and eliminating mistakes." "We weren't under a great deal of pressure throughout but when they did have chances we were able to snuff them out." Ifill continues to cement his reputation as one of the best players in the competition but Herbert was equally pleased with the work rate and cohesion of all his players from front to back. "We've varied Paul's role, playing him wide on some occasions and more centrally on others. We believed that be playing him in the middle against the Jets he'd be able to cause problems with his pace and technique and that was certainly the case. But this win was more about how the whole team was able to link together going forward and on defence. We managed to hold the ball, shut them down and create opportunities at the other end. It was a true 11-man performance." The heat of Hunter will give the Phoenix a taste of the conditions they are likely to experience in the next game, away to Brisbane Roar on Sunday. Newcastle Jets: 20. Neil YOUNG (GK), 3. Adam D'APUZZO (6. Ben KANTAROVSKI 61'), 4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 7. Jin-Hyung SONG, 8. Matt THOMPSON (c), 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE (2. Angelo COSTANZO 80'), 15. Sean ROONEY (22. Kaz PATAFTA 56'), 17. Fabio VIGNAROLI, 25. Labinot HALITI Subs not used: 30. Dion SHAW (RGK)
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Mark PASTON (GK), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 5. DIEGO, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS (23. Costa BARBAROUSES 71'), 8. Paul IFILL (13. Troy HEARFIELD 85'), 9. Chris GREENACRE, 11. DANIEL (14. Adrian CACERES 63'), 18. Ben SIGMUND, 22. Andrew DURANTE (capt) Subs not used: 20. Reece CROWTHER (RGK) He was unlucky not to grab a second early in the second half when goalkeeper Neil Young managed to keep out another Ifill attempt, whilst Chris Greenacre was unable to add to his season's tally on a couple of occasions, but the woeful Jets side were rather inept except after their bench had been cleared, when good work from both Korean Song and Italian Vigente almost changed things around when Pataska and appeared. The visiting Phoenix side weren't that much better in the second half, when they really should have added a second to settle the game, but the home side appeared to be suffering more from the heat, but appeared to be lacking the solidity provided by midfielder Vince Lia, but the other engine room in vice-captain Tim Brown carried out his duties, supported by Diego. In the last game of the round, second-placed Sydney FC were playing Perth Glory, who could well overtake the Phoenix, depending on the final result. That game has kicked-off as this column goes to print. HYUNDI A-LEAGUE TABLE 2009-10 [rd 15]
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