Wellington Phoenix unable to cope with Brisbane's humidity and experienceBRISBANE - Sunday, 29 November 2009The visiting Phoenix were tonight unable to repeat the performance of the heat in Newcastle last week when they outlasted their opposition 1-0, and the old heads of Craig Moore (ex Rangers), Charlie Miller (ex Celtic) and Danny Tiatto (ex Man City), Sergio Van Djk (ex Eredivisie) showed the Wellingtonians where their experience countered against the still learning coach, Ricki Herbert. It was also a warning for the side to heed the warnings of the humidity of Brisbane, and the yellow flag of an away encounter in Perth, especially when a team has youthful pace and skill to boot as well. 2010-11 Hyundi A-League [rd16]:
It wasn't so much humiliation, but being able to field the necessary changes to gather the badly needed points for either side. The Phoenix certainly let themselves down by not scoring a second, at least, which they were never likely to again score - as they failed to add to the early goal against Newcastle - as the experienced Ange Postelglou showed when he brought on Tiatto and took off a tiring Miller, then threw on the younger legs of Mitch Nicholls. In addition, they also lacked the skill needed for patience - an ingredient which the home side showed in abundance, and coach Ange Postelglou displayed with his subs off the bench, as he also showed with the big match experience the home side had. On Brisbane's Suncorp, that sort of patience was needed in the heat and humidity. Honours were even at the interval, but the pace and skill of teenager Tommy Oar was creating problems for the Phoenix right-hand defender, Muscat - and what happened in the second half proved to be killer blow, following Reinaldo' second goal which resulted from a Miller through ball placed to perfection, and placed at speed. Then followed the Van Djik free-kick, which was a practiced move - as two Roar players criss-crossed behind the Nix wall, and left 'keeper Reece Crowther completely unsighted - until too late as the ball flashed away from him into the top corner of his left. A move that was even better than that on Wellington's Basin Reserve when South China took a similar free-kick against Wellington back in 1955, except that this one was near perfection! Brisbane Roar: 20. Griffin McMASTER (GK), 2. Andrew PACKER, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Craig MOORE (c), 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Charlie MILLER (17. Mitch NICHOLS 78'), 11. REINALDO (6. David DODD 86'), 14. Adam SAROTA, 15. Matt McKAY (18. Danny TIATTO 64'), 21. Tommy OAR Subs Not Used: 1. Liam REDDY (RGK)
Wellington Phoenix: CROWTHER (GK), M MUSCAT, LOCHHEAD, T BROWN, BERTOS (78' ---- Adrian CACERES), IFILL, GREENACRE (70' ---- Costa BARBAROUSES), DANIEL (62' --- Troy HEARFIELD), LIA, SIGMUND, DURANTE (capt) Subs Not Used: 30. Jonathan GOULD (RGK)
Brisbane's win tonight will bring back the off-form Roar, who have been unable to cope with this season's campaign - which had already seen the departure of former Australian coach, Frank Farina. The Phoenix had a chance of recording their first-ever win over Brisbane, but instead failed to display enough fortitude to maintain their improving record, and keep the Roar at the bottom of the table. Coach Ricki Herbert now has the problem of lifting the spirits of the team in wake of the loss, who now meet leaders Melbourne Victory next Friday who over-ran Gold Coast United 4-0 last Friday. The saving grace will be the fact that they will be at home, abeit without Manny Muscat who was red carded for dangerous use of the elbow. Worse was to follow, as Muscat was then banned for the next 3 matches by a Citing Commission; and to top it all, the club has now been asked to explain the reason why the team should not be disciplined for surrounding the match official when the red card was shown. In addition, it is understood that the match also saw defender Ben Sigmund receive his 5th caution which rules him ineligible for the Melbourne fixture. The next few weeks will also decide how the side manages its campaign to qualify for the play-offs, but also if they have the necessary attitude to now intensify their play to match that needed to be in the Last four, as well. Their next opponents, Melbourne Victory who visit Westpac Stadium on Friday, have shown all that ability, having won the two of the last three titles. HYUNDI A-LEAGUE TABLE 2009-10 [rd 16]
Related Links and Stories No Appeal on Muscat Ban
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