Australian Hyundai A-League ----- Wellington Phoenix MM

[farhanzaki]

HISTORY

During the later stages of the 2006-07 season, the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) removed the New Zealand Knights's (NZK) A-League licence due to club's financial and administrative problems and poor on-field performance. After the resignation of the NZK board, FFA transfer the licence to New Zealand Soccer (NZS -now New Zealand Football) to administrate the rest of the club's season before it's subsequent dissolution.

FFA then invited NZS by giving a provisional A-League licence to sub-let the licence to a suitable New Zealand team to enter the A-League 2007-08 season. The FFA provided an application deadline to NZS which was subsequently delayed to give more time for potential applicants in New Zealand to apply along with NZS support.

After much delay, the final money amount needed for the final application came from Wellington Property Businessman Terry Serepisos in the last moments of the bid giving much the relief to the New Zealand football fans. The club's majority owner and chairman Terry Serepisos provided NZD $1,000,000[citation needed] to ensure the beginnings of a new New Zealand franchise and a continuation of New Zealand's participation in the A-League. Football Federation Australia (FFA) finalised a three year A-League licence to New Zealand Football who then sub-let the licence to the Wellington-based franchise. The Wellington franchise was confirmed on March 19, 2007.

The name for the new club was picked from a shortlist of six, pruned from 250 names suggested by the public, and was announced on March 28, 2007. Serepisos said of the name: "It symbolises the fresh start, the rising from the ashes, and the incredible Wellington support that has come out".

In November 2007, Sony NZ Ltd came on board as the team's principal sponsor.

WELLINGTON PHOENIX FC

League : A-League
Full name : Wellington Phoenix Football Club
Nickname(s) : Phoenix, The Nix, The Ashes
Founded : 2007
Chairman : Terry Serepisos
Manager : Ricki Herbert

Ground : Westpac Stadium, Wellington (Capacity 34,500)
Difficulty : Pro
Goalkeeper Difficulty : Semi-Pro
Half-time : 4 Minutes
Game Speed : Normal

[llionf9t]

nice start! KIU

[farhanzaki]

BOARD EXPECTATIONS
League : Finish in the top half
Domestic : N/A
International : N/A
Extra 1 : N/A
Extra 2 : Extend the contract of V. Lia to at least 3 years

SPONSOR DETAILS - Peel
Funding : $7,700 +48% win bonus
Loyalty – Show loyalty : $150,000
League – Top half finish : $62,000
Domestic Cup – Each cup round survived : $25,000
Int. Cup – N/A : 0 €
Extra – Most cleansheets of league : $120,000

STAFF LEVEL
Striker Coach : 1
Midfielder Coach : 1
Defence Coach : 1
Goalkeeper Coach : 1
Negotiator : 1
Scout : 1
Medical Staff : 1
Stadium Manager : 6

YOUTH ACADEMY
Name - Pos/Foot - OVR - Age - Nation - Wage - Contract Length
Olivier Mosse - LB/L - 44 - 16 - Andorra - $320 - 1yr

FINANCIAL PREDICTION
Current Budgent : +$1,230,000
Predicted Expenses : -$368,940
Predicted Income : +$3,001,450
Predicted Budget : +$3,862,510

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by farhanzaki

BOARD EXPECTATIONS
League: Win SPL (A-League...)
Cup: Win Scottish Cup (There isn't a cup in Australia...)
International : N/A
Extra 1 : Upgrade your Stadium Manager
Extra 2 : Win all rival games

Apart from this, good start!

[farhanzaki]

SQUADS
Pos : Name (OVR-Age)
GK : Mark Paston (59-30)
RB : Steven Old (56-21)
CB : Cleberson (58-29)
CB : Karl Dodd (57-26)
LB : Tony Lochhead (55-25)
CDM : Ross Aloisi (64-34)
RM : Tim Brown (57-26) LC
LM : Daniel (60-27) RC
CAM : Felipe (58-26) FK
ST : Shane Smeltz (62-25)
ST : Vaughan Coveny (65-35) PK / CPT

SUBS
GK : Glenn Moss (60-24)
DF : Steven O'Dor (56-20)
MF : Jeremy Christie (60-24), Michael Ferrante (57-26)
FW : Royce Brownlie (57-27)

RES
GK : Jacob Spoonley (51-20), Jerry Hansenn (51-17)
DF : Juan Cortés (49-16), Chunn-Hee Yoon (51-17),
MF : Richard Johnson (54-33), Vince Lia (57-22), Farhan Zaki (53-17), Frédéric Seigre (53-16), Robert Milner (50-16)
FW : George (49-29), Costa Barbarouses (54-17), Greg Drapper (46-17), Gustavo Albelda (50-16), Kieran Harewood (49-17)

*Names in italic are created players*

[farhanzaki]

Originally Posted by Tottenzan

Apart from this, good start!

oops... anyway, i already edited it...

[farhanzaki]

Wellingt. Phoenix
Paston
Old - Cleberson - Dodd - Lochhead
Aloisi - Brown - Daniel - Felipe
Smeltz - Coveny
----------
Pavón - Gordon - Donovan
Klein - Beckham - Vagenas
Jazic - Veris - Abel Xavier - Albright
Cannon
LA Galaxy

1" The referee starts of the match in front of the record breaking attendance in any football match in New Zealand.

4" [BOOKING] Felipe is shown a yellow card after rough tackle from behind on Klein. Veris took the free kick from own half.

6" [GOAL] Beckham makes a perfect pass to Donovan whose first time shot hits the back of the net.

16" Coveny shots from the right side of Galaxy's goal but Cannon managed to get down on it.

25" Pavón and Donovan pass and move manage to break Phoenix' defences but Donovan weak shot unable to beat Paston.

33" Coveny shot from the edge of the box but Cannon tip the ball away and then punches away the resulting corner kick.

35" Rain start to fall on the pitch.

38" [GOAL] Poor defending by Galaxy's fullback left Semltz dribbling towards the goal from Felipe pass before he scored the equalising goal, eventhough the goalkeeper got a touch on the ball.

45" The referee signals for 2 minutes of added time.

HALF TIME
1(1) Goals (Assists) 1(0)
5(4) Total Shots (On Target) 2(1)
1(1) Fouls (Booking) 0(0)
1 Corners 0
0(0) Free Kicks (Penalties) 0(0)
83% Passing 80%
62% Possession 38%

45" [SUBS] Buddle -> Gordon. The referee starts the second half.

48" Pavon pass found Buddle who find himself an opening and shot from the penalty spot, but Paston manage to hold the ball.

54" Dodd committed a foul on Buddle. Abel Xavier takes the free kick.

55" Buddle break through Phoenix's defence but putd the ball just wide of the right post.

56" [SUBS] Ferrante -> Daniel, Christie -> Brown

64" Smeltz manage to breakthrough Galaxy's defence after a wonderful 1-2 pass with Covenry but somehow he misses the goal.

66" [GOAL] Coveny's lofted pass into the box found Smeltz who chest the ball down and volley it into the abck of the net.

81" Donovan found another opening but still fail to put the ball past Paston.

82" A beautiful counter attacking play by the Phoenix resulting in another goal, with Smeltz scoring the first hat-trick for the new team.

84" [SUBS] Brownie -> Felipe

90" 3 minutes of added time signals by the fourth official.

FULL TIME
3(3) Goals (Assists) 1(0)
8(6) Total Shots (On Target) 5(3)
3(1) Fouls (Booking) 0(0)
1 Corners 0
0(0) Free Kicks (Penalties) 0(0)
83% Passing 80%
58% Possession 42%

FINAL SCORE
WPHX 3-1 Galaxy

[tino2k7]

kutgw mate

[farhanzaki]

30: Wellingt. Phoenix vs Newcastle UTD Jets

[farhanzaki]

Wellingt. Phoenix
Paston
Old - Cleberson - Dodd - Lochhead
Aloisi - Brown - Daniel - Felipe
Smeltz - Coveny
----------
Mário Jardel - Bridge
Denni - Drovandi - Eagleton - Musialik
Kohler - Griffiths - Durante - North
Covic
Newcastle UTD Jets

1" The referee starts the first match of the season.

7" [GOAL] A wonderful counter attacking play by the Jets and superb dribbling skills by Bridge puts the visitors ahead with a low shot past Paston.

16" Mário Jardel finds an opening but Paston manage to save (caught) the ball.

21" Eagleton pass from the right found Mário Jardel but his first time shot from the edge of the box fail to hit the target.

30" Phoenix' strikers still fail to break through Jets' tight defense.

34" Eagleton low cross from the right is claim by Phoenix' goalkeeper.

40" Felipe lofted pass found Coveny behind the defense but Covic just got to his volley to give them a corner kick. Daniel take the corner kick but Bridge manage to clear the ball away.

45" Only 1 minute of injury time is added.

HALF TIME
0(0) Goals (Assists) 1(0)
2(1) Total Shots (On Target) 3(2)
0(0) Fouls (Booking) 0(0)
1 Corners 0
0(0) Free Kicks (Penalties) 0(0)
80% Passing 92%
48% Possession 52%

45" The home side is looking for an equalizing goal as the referee starts the second half.

54" Aloisi committed a foul on Bridge. Musialik takes the free kick.

57" Smeltz creates an opening from Coveny through ball but the keeper push the ball away for a corner kick. Brown takes it short to Brown but Durante got in the way of his shot.

59" [SUBS] Ferrante -> Daniel.

69" Covic tips away Smeltz shot from 20 yards for another corner kick for the Phoenix. Again Brown takes it short to Ferrante whose cross into the box is claim by the keeper.

75" Phoenix still fail to find any opening to score the equalizing goal while the Jets still looking to double their lead.

78" [SUBS] Lia -> Brown, Cortés -> Old

81" [BOOKING] Lochhead is shown a yellow card for a tackle from behind on Bridge. Denni strikes the free kick high from 30m.

90" Referee signals 2 minutes of added time.

90+2" Bridge shot from miles out but Paston just got something on it to give the Jets a corner kick. Drovandi takes it long and manage to find Eagleton, but his header hits the crossbar and Cortés clear the ball away.

FULL TIME
0(0) Goals (Assists) 1(0)
5(3) Total Shots (On Target) 6(3)
2(1) Fouls (Booking) 0(0)
3 Corners 1
0(0) Free Kicks (Penalties) 1(0)
81% Passing 89%
49% Possession 51%

FINAL SCORE
WPHX 0-1 Jets

[farhanzaki]

2: Perth Glory vs Wellingt. Phoenix
6: Wellingt. Phoenix vs Sydney FC
9: Mel. Victory vs Wellingt. Phoenix

[farhanzaki]

PERTH GLORY 1-2 WELLINGT. PHOENIX
R - Moss - L
- Cortés - O'Dor - Dodd - Yoon -
- Aloisi - Zaki - Seigre - Felipe -
- Draper - George -
----------
- Harnwell - Rukavytsya -
- Lazaridis - Danze - Colosimo - Bertos -
- Topor-Stanley - Tarka - Foxe - Coyne -
L - Petkovic - R

Wellington Phoenix won their first match of the season after defeating Perth Glory by 2 goals to 1.

Perth had to made an early substitute after Lazaridis was injured from Cortés' hard tackle but he somehow managed to escape without a booking.

The first part of the first half was dominated by Perth but Phoenix' tight defensing prevent them from getting anywhere near the goal. However, Perth best chance soon came with Harnwell low cross managed to find Bertos on the other side who then shot from close range but Phoenix goalkeeper somehow managed to block the shot before Yoon clear the ball away.

Phoenix then started to push deeper into Perth goal and almost opened the scoring after half an hour when Felipe who received a wonderful through ball from Draper failed to beat the keeper. From then, Phoenix increased the pressure and few minutes before half-time they finally break the deadlock.

Felipe lofted pass into the box found Seigre who volleyed it straight to the keeper before Draper scored from the rebound.

Just like at the start of the first-half, Perth dominates the start of the second-half but they still can't find their way into the Phoenix goal. In the 71st minutes, a beautiful counter attacking play by Phoenix almost double their lead but somehow George miss the target after he was 1-on-1 with Petkovic. However, Petkovic goalkick was stolen by Draper who then played a wonderful 1-2 pass with George before he blasted the ball into the net, after it hits the crossbar.

Perth then played more aggrasively but Harnwell shot the ball high after he was clean through. 8 minutes before time, Rukavytsya close the gap for Perth to 1 goal after a superb solo effort to beat 2 defenders before beating the goalkeeper, but it was too late for them to make a comeback.

Perth v WPHX
1(0) Goals(Assists) 2(2)
4(1) Total Shots(On target) 6(4)
0 Corner Kicks 2
0(0) Fouls(Booking) 1(0)
1(0) Free Kicks(Penalties) 0(0)
82% Passing 84%
47% Possessions 53%

[hectic18]

Nice stuff, this mm thread liks pretty good!

A big LOL @ having to extend vince lia's contract though :P

[farhanzaki]

WELLINGT. PHOENIX
R - Paston - L
- Mosse - O'Dor - Dodd - Lochhead -
- Chriestie - Lia - Daniel - Ferrante -
- Smeltz - Coveny -
---------- ----------
- Patrick - Brosque - Tsattalios -
- Corica - Zadkovich -
- Middleby - Popovic - Milligan - Rudan - Fyfe -
L - Bolton - R
SYDNEY FC

1” The referee starts the match.

4” Lia’s cross straight into the hand of the keeper

8” Smeltz pass found Coveny who then turn, get into the box and shot but Bolton manage to save it for a corner kick. Lia take it long before the keeper takes the ball.

14” Smeltz cross from the right channel is claim by the keeper.

20” Mosse cross into the box but Rudan headed it away for a corner. Daniel takes the corner but Tsattalios headed it clear.

25” Mosse cross again from the right but this time Fyfe headed the ball away for another corner. Milligan then easily clear away Daniel’s corner.

28” Brosque’s cross finds Patrick but the linesman has rised his flag for offside.

30” Corica shoot the ball high from 30m although he could still move closer towards the goal.

42” Lia’s shot just a little over the crossbar.

45” Patrick cross the ball in from the right side but O’Dor manage to intercept it.

45+1" The referee signals of 1 minute of injury time.

HALF TIME
0(0) Goals (Assists) 0(0)
3(2) Total Shots (On Target) 1(0)
3 Corners 0
0(0) Fouls (Booking) 0(0)
0(0) Free Kicks (Penalties) 0(0)
80% Passing 90%
60% Possession 40%

45” Kick-off

50” Phoenix dominates in possession but still unable to break Sydney’s defenses.

56” Coveny find an open space and shot the ball just clear of the crossbar.

58” [SUBS] Johnson -> Daniel, Brownlie -> Smeltz

59” Coveny shoot from 15 yards but Popovic manage to block the shot.

65” Sydney gaining more possession but can’t get any closer to Phoenix’s goal.

74” Tsattalios escaped his marker but miss the target by a few inches.

76” Now Brosque escaped his marker but still miss the target by a few centimeters.

79” Brownlie breakthrough Sydney’s defenses but Bolton manage to block his shot away for a corner kick. Tsattalios then intercept Lia’s low cross and clear the ball away.

85” [GOAL] Fyfe intercept O’Dor pass to Ferrante before pass the ball to Brosque who has escaped his marker before shooting from the penalty spot to give Sydney the long awaited lead of the match.

88” [GOAL] With 5 minutes to go, Phoenix push deeper into Sydney’s half before they were awarded with a penalty after Popovic recklessly pushed Brownlie just inside the penalty box. Phoenix’ captain, Coveny took the penalty calmly and score the equalizing goal.

90" 3 minutes of injury time is added

90+2” Phoenix dominates the last few minutes and almost took the lead when Brownlie shot was tipped away by Bolton. Coveny take the resulting corner kick short to Johnson.

FULL TIME
1(0) Goals (Assists) 1(1)
8(4) Total Shots (On Target) 4(1)
6 Corners 0
0(0) Fouls (Booking) 1(0)
0(1) Free Kicks (Penalties) 0(0)
84% Passing 81%
64% Possession 36%

FINAL SCORE
WPHX 1-1 SFC

[farhanzaki]

MEL. VICTORY v WELLINGT. PHOENIX

R - Paston - L
- Old[62][Cortes/63] - O'Dor - Dodd - Yoon -
- Aloisi[71] - Brown[Johnson/63] - Zaki[Ferrante/63] - Felipe -
- Smeltz - Albelda -
---------- ----------
- Leandro Love - Thompson -
- Berger - Broxham - Patafta - Muscat - Keenan -
- Milicevic - Vargas - Kemp -
L - Theoklitos - R

Ricki Herbert was right about Gustavo Albelda when he brought the young Spanish to Wellington Phoenix after he scored a hat-trick in his debut against the champion, Melbourne Victory.

Victory started the game strongly with Muscat early FK was just a little over the bar. Patafta and Broxham were a constant threats on the wings with their dangerous crosses into the box, but Phoenix keeper and defenses were able to deal with them.

Victory best chance came in the 25th minutes. Leandro Love managed to escaped his marker and was 1-on-1 with Paston who somehow managed to block Love's first shot before the striker shoot the ball again high over the bar.

6 minutes later, Albelda took Felipe's lofted pass behind the defense but he looses control of the ball before Theoklitos took the ball into his hands. He then throwed the ball to Milicevic but Smeltz intercepted it and quickly pass to Albelda whose shot the ball straight into the back of the net.

The champion then put more pressure on Phoenix defense and eventually was awarded a free kick after when Aloisi mistimed his tackle on Berger. Muscat pass it short to Berger inside the box but his first-time shot hit the bar before Yoon cleared the ball away.

A few minutes past the hour in to the game, thr first yellow card was shown to Old after a harsh tackle on Broxham. Milicevic took the free kick high and found Broxham inside of Phoenix box and shot the ball but Paston managed to block the shot.

Minutes later, Aloisi was booked following a tackle on Leandro Love just outside of the penalty box. Muscat took the free kick wide of the left post.

In the 76th minutes, Victory finally able to find the equalizer after a wonderful run by Patafta down the left side of Phoenix box before he crossed the ball low into the box which found Love who quickly shot for the equalizing goal.

But 6 minutes later, Phoenix was back infront after Albelda carved his way into Victory's box before shooting the ball past the keeper. 1 minute into the injuey time, Leandro Love again managed to escaped his marker but his shot was just a little too high.

With just seconds to go, Victory gave away a free kick after Vargas mistimed tackle on Albelda. Albelda himself took the free kick from 20 meters and slot the ball in beautifully near the tight post.

FINAL SCORE
MelFC 1-3 WPHX

Man of the Match
Gustavo Albelda (Wellingt. Phoenix)

MelFC v WPHX
1(1) Goals(Assists) 3(1)
10(4) Total Shots(On target) 9(7)
2 Corner Kicks 2
2(0) Fouls(Booking) 4(2)
2(0) Free Kicks(Penalties) 1(0)
76% Passing 80%
50% Possessions 50%

[farhanzaki]

LEAGUE TABLE (#/TEAM/P/W/D/L/GD/PTS)
1: Newcastle UTD Jets : 5/3/1/1/2/10
2: Adelaide United : 5/3/0/2/0/9
3: Wellingt. Phoenix : 4/2/1/1/2/7
4: Perth Glory : 5/2/1/2/1/7
5: Mel. Victory FC : 5/2/1/2/0/7
6: Queendland Roar : 5/1/2/2/-2/5
7: Sydney FC : 5/0/4/1/-1/4
8: CC Mariners FC : 4/0/2/2/-2/2

TEAM OF THE MONTH
Covic
J.Keenan - S.O'Dor - K.Dodd - J.North
E.Berger - Felipe - Denni - M.Osman
A.Thompson - N.Rukavytsya

TOP SCORERS
1: N.Rukavytsya (Perth) - 4
2: G.Albelda (WPHX) - 3
3: S.Smeltz (WPHX) - 3
4: N.Burns (AUTD) - 3
5: P.Agostino (AUTD) - 2

ASSISTS
1: S.Ontong (AUTD) - 3
2: V.Coveny (WPHX) - 2
3: Felipe (WPHX) - 1
4: K.Muscat (MelFC) - 1
5: K.Patafta (MelFC) - 1

CLEAN SHEETS
1: A.Covic (Jets) - 4
2: J.Petkovic (Perth) - 2
3: C.Bolton (SFC) - 2
4: M.Theoklitos - (MelFC) - 2
5: D.Vukovic (CCMFC) - 1

[farhanzaki]

7: Wellingt. Phoenix vs CC Mariners FC
11: Adelaide United vs Wellingt. Phoenix
14: Wellingt. Phoenix vs Queensland Roar
18: Newcastle UTD Jets vs Wellingt. Phoenix
21: Wellingt. Phoenix vs Adelaide United
25: Sydney FC vs Wellingt. Phoenix

[farhanzaki]

WELLINGT. PHOENIX (3rd/7pts)
R - Paston - L
- Old - O'Dor - Dodd - Lochhead -
- Aloisi - Brown - Daniel - Felipe -
- Smeltz - Coveny -
---------- ----------
- Petrovski - Mrdja -
- Brown - Porter - Gumprecht - Osman -
- Hoffernan - Vidmar - Wilkinson - Clark -
L - Vukovic - R
CC MARINERS FC (8th/2pts)

1” The referee starts the match.

3” [BOOKING] The referee show a straight red card to Felipe for a late challenge on Clark.

10” The Mariners controls possession but still unable to score against the 10-men Phoenix.

13” Smeltz breaks away from Mariners' defenders and fires a shot but Vukovic just manage to push the ball away.

20” The game looks very much balance at the moment with both sides exchanging possession.

28” [GOAL] Smeltz headed the ball into the Mariners' goal from Coveny wonderful cross from the left side to put the Phoenix 1 goal ahead.

33” Petrovski cross from the right chanel almost got into the goal but Paston managed to pulalalala away. Osman then take the following corner which managed to found Brown but his header hit the crossbar and no one was there for the rebound.

41” Mistimed tackle by Lochhead on Brown who then take the free kick high from 19 meters.

43” Petrovski run past Dodd but Paston blocks his shot for a corner kick for the Mariners. Osman take the corner again after his first was cleared away by Daniel, but Brown header is block and clear away by Dodd.

45” The referee signals 1 minute of added time.

45+1” [GOAL] Smeltz through-ball found the unmark Coveny but his quick shot is block by Vukovic. Daniel take the free kick but Clark clear the ball away. Gumprecht take the ball and starts a counter attacking run towards Phoenix goal but Daniel foul him. The referee gave an advantage play since Mrdja keep the ball before he fires a shot from the left side of the goal to beat two defenders and the goalkeeper for the equalizing goal.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2045/2572840174_aea48deefd_o.jpgFelipe's early sent off

HALF TIME
1(1) Goals (Assists) 1(0)
4(4) Total Shots (On Target) 5(2)
2 Corners 3
3(1) Fouls (Booking) 0(0)
0(0) Free Kicks (Penalties) 1(0)
77% Passing 80%
49% Possession 51%

45” The referee starts the match.

47” Mrdja amazing run down the left before fires a shot which just miss by the left post.

52” Phoenix players start to mount more pressure on Mariners defenses.

57” Gumprecht clears away Old's cross from the right.

70” Gumprecht again clears away Phoenix cross but this time from Brown.

72” Aloisi shoot from way out but Vukovic easily saves it.

77” Smeltz breaks away from Mariners' defenders and shot from the edge of the box which force the keeper to make a superb diving save. Coveny take the following corner but Gumprecht again clear the ball away.

79” Osman run down the left side and cross into the box, but Grumpecht once again save the Mariners with a clearing header.

83” Mrdja clear off his marker but hit his shot on Christie.

87” Mariners attacks down the left but Brown's cross is straight into the hands of Paston.

90” The referee signals 2 minutes of added time.

90+2” Coveny plays a wonderful 1-2 pass with Smeltz to break through Mariners defense but Vukovic somehow manage to get a hand on the shot.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/2573021464_e800475a06_o.jpgMrdja's equalizing goal proved to be an important goal for the Mariners to get one point away.

FULL TIME
1(1) Goals (Assists) 1(0)
7(6) Total Shots (On Target) 7(2)
4 Corners 4
4(1) Fouls (Booking) 0(0)
0(0) Free Kicks (Penalties) 1(0)
77% Passing 74%
51% Possession 49%

FINAL SCORE
WPHX 1-1 CCMFC

[The Stig]

Put some more pictures in and it will be better

[hectic18]

Good work on beating those Vics :P

[farhanzaki]

(3rd/9pts) ADELAIDE UNITED v WELLINGT. PHOENIX (4th/8pts)
Beltrame [GK] Paston
Alagich, Costanzo, Valkanis, Cassio [DF] Cortes[63], O'Dor, Dodd, Mosse[66]
Dodd, Ontong, Mullen, Petta [MF] Christie, Zaki[63], Seigre[63], Ferrante
Burns, Giraldi [FW] Smeltz, Harewood
Sarkies [SUBS] Johnson, Lia, Aloisi

Wellington Phoenix won their first rival match against Adelaide United in a 5 goals thrilling match.

Phoenix took the lead early in the 5th minutes when Harewood breaks away from United's defense after he received a wonderful through ball from Ferrante before slot the ball low into the left side of the net.

10 minutes later, Smeltz almost double Phoenix lead after he escaped the off side trap and recaived Zaki's chip through ball but he volleyed it high. The game then became a midfield battle with both teams cancelling each other out.

7 minutes before the break, the score was levelled. Dodd intercept a high pass from Paston and quickly pass to Petta, who was already running towards the goal. Petta shot landed on the crossbar but Giraldi quickly volleyed from the rebound straight into the back of the net.

The first part of the second half was a little dull, with Phoenix dominating in possession but didn't made any forward move until the 63rd minutes when Mosse delivered the corner kick straight to Smeltz who netted the ball in from close range.

Mosse then was shown a yellow card following a late challenge on United's Burns.

Phoenix lead only lasted for 5 minutes when a poor defending by Phoenix defenders make way for Petta to shot from a tight angle. Although Paston managed to block it, the ball deflacted directly to Giraldi on the other side of the post who easily headed it in.

The 20 minutes of the second half saw both sides trying to get the winning goal but neither did. With 3 minutes of injury time added. Phoenix made one final push towards United's goal and eventually managed to score the winning goal.

Smeltz run towards the goal, and although Giraldi managed to made him loss control of the ball, United's defense was slow to clear the ball away and Smeltz quickly took the ball back and slotted it in near the left post.

FINAL SCORE
AUTD 2-3 WPHX

MAN OF THE MATCH

Shane Smeltz (Wellingt. Phoenix)


AUTD v WPHX
2(2) Goals(Assists) 3(2)
6(3) Total Shots(On target) 12(7)
0 Corner Kicks 2
2(0) Fouls(Booking) 2(1)
0(0) Free Kicks(Penalties) 2(0)
71% Passing 86%
42% Possessions 58%

[farhanzaki]

Next match (14 Oct. 2007)
Wellington Phoenix against Queensland Roar

[farhanzaki]

(2nd/11pts) WELLINGT. PHOENIX v QUEENSLAND ROAR (7th/5pts)
Paston [GK] Griffin
Old_O'Dor_Dodd_Lochhead [DF] Griffin_Moore_Ognenovski_McCloughan
Yoon_Barbarouses_George_Felipe [MF] Packer_Seo_Tiatto
Brownlie_Coveny [FW] Lynch_Milicic_Reinaldo
Albelda_Ferrante_Christie [SUBS IN] Marcinho

1” The referee starts of the match.

5” [GOAL] Seo through ball found Reinaldo who turn and run towards Phoenix goal before chip the ball over Paston who had to come off his line to try to stop him.

9” Coveny found an opening and shot from 20 yards but the keeper parry the ball away. Brownlie take the following free kick well but the keeper manage to stop Felipe's header.

23” Griffin easily save Brownlie chip shot after he manage to escape his marker.

27” Barbarouses cross from the right chanel but Moore headed it clear.

30” Reinaldo break through the Phoenix defense but his shot hits the crossbar.

35” Tiatto cross from the right side of Phoenix goal is cleared away by Lochhead.

38” Phoenix players play long passes and almost equalize if Brownlie shot was cleared away by Moore.

42” [GOAL] Milicic breaks away from his marker and easily slot it into the net to double Roar's lead.

45” Lochhead mistimed tackle on Milicic and give away a free kick to Roar. McCloughan take the free kick short to Lynch whose shot is block by Paston.

45” The referee signals 2 minutes of added time.

HALF TIME
0(0) Goals (Assists) 2(1)
4(2) Total Shots (On Target) 5(4)
1 Corners 0
1(0) Fouls (Booking) 0(0)
0(0) Free Kicks (Penalties) 0(0)
79% Passing 72%
50% Possession 50%

45” Trailing by two goals, the homeside looking find at least two goals as the referee starts of the second-half.

49” [GOAL] Ognenovski foul Brownlie inside of the box and the referee is signalling for a penalty kick. Coveny score from the spot.

55” Coveny break through but Ognenovski intervene and clear.

60” Phoenix dominates the game at the moment but still fail to find any opening.

70” Felipe's pass found Coveny but the linesman raised his flag.

71” [SUBS] Christie/Ferrante/Albelda -> Lochhead, George, Coveny. Marcinho -> Seo.

83” [GOAL] McCloughan free kick is cleared away. Brownlie pick the ball up and quickly pass to Albelda who has found an opening, run towards Roar's goal, get 1-on-1 with the keeper and slot the ball easily low into the net.

88” Felipe's lofted pass found Ferrante behind the defense but Griffin just got his fingers on Ferrante's volley.

90” The fourth official signals 4 minutes of injury time to be added.

90+1” Milicic breaks away from his marker but Paston parry his shot away.

90+3” [GOAL] Brownlie's amazing footwork fooled his marker before he got into the box and fires from the penalty spot to put Phoenix ahead for the first in the game right at the end.

FULL TIME
3(0) Goals (Assists) 2(1)
9(7) Total Shots (On Target) 7(5)
3 Corners 1
3(0) Fouls (Booking) 1(0)
0(1) Free Kicks (Penalties) 1(0)
83% Passing 79%
59% Possession 41%

FINAL SCORE
WPHX 3-2 Roar

MAN OF THE MATCHHis pass which leads to Phoenix equalizer and his late winner made him the Man of the Match.

[Mariners!!!!!!]

Good to see an A-League MM on these forums, KUTGW!

[hectic18]

Ahh unlucky to lose despite dominating possession