It’s always a tough game travelling to Wellington and this match was no different as Brisbane Roar came away with a point from a tense 0-0 draw with the Phoenix.
Both teams were without key players but that was no excuse as the match swung from end to end with great saves from both keepers, strong defence, tireless midfield efforts, the woodwork and a little luck conspiring to keep the match scoreless.
The result extended the Roar’s undefeated run ahead of Friday’s highly anticipated clash against reigning Champions Melbourne Victory and then the huge home game against the resurgent Adelaide United on Friday, 22 January (7pm kick off).
To book tickets to that match, click here.
The positives to come out of the match for the Roar include proof that this squad has the depth to challenge for honours this season.
When you have players of the quality of Javier Hervas and Steven Lustica coming off the bench – at a time when three players are overseas on Olyroos duty – things look good for the second half of the season.
And what about that pile-driver of a left foot shot from Hervas late in the game that was blocked by Phoenix defenders and Thomas Broich’s header onto the cross bar and late shot on the turn that was parried away?
Surely it is only a matter of time before both these players, and others, get on the score sheet.
Cheer the boys on against the Victory and then be there at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, 22 January to make sure we get the three points against the Reds.
Goals
Unfortunately there were none and that was due, in part, to the superb game by Wellington keeper Glen Moss, strong defence by the Roar, and an inability by both teams to finish off some good build up play.
Talking point
When was the last time you can remember a referee awarding a penalty and then over-turning the decision and giving the defence a free kick? That’s what happened in this game and we’ll leave you to decide from the replays whether the match officials got it right, or not.
Quote unquote
Brisbane Roar Head Coach JOHN ALOISI (on the penalty decision): “I didn’t see (the) push and there was a handball, so I think that was a penalty.
“The referee was only 10 metres away and he whistled for the penalty. The assistant referee was a lot further (away). It was a bit strange that he over-ruled the referee.”
Aloisi on the game: “We felt we created quite a few good opportunities.
“You always want to win your football games. We play – home or away – to win. You don’t want to get too frustrated with the players because they performed overall quite well. They stuck to our structures and we created enough opportunities to score. Hopefully next time if we create those chances, we can go on and win the football game.”
What’s next
The Roar travel to Melbourne with a short turnaround this week to take on the Victory on Friday in a double header at AAMI Park with the Youth side. Then they are back home on Friday, 22 January to take on the fast-improving Adelaide City. To secure your seats for that match, click here
Match stats
Hyundai A-League Round 14 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, Sunday, 10 January 2016
Wellington Phoenix 0
Brisbane Roar 0
Half time: 0-0
Crowd: 7774
Brisbane Roar FC: 3.Shane STEFANUTTO, 7.CORONA (18.Javier HERVAS 72′), 10.HENRIQUE (20.Shannon BRADY 82′), 11.Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (8.Steven LUSTICA 74′), 13.Jade NORTH, 14.Daniel BOWLES, 17.Matt McKAY (c), 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS.
Unused substitutes: 5.Corey BROWN, 36.Andre JANNESE (gk)
Yellow cards: Daniel BOWLES 39′, CORONA 57′
Red cards: Nil
Wellington Phoenix FC: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 3.Justin GULLEY (9.Tom DOYLE 69′), 5.Troy DANASKOS, 6.Dylan FOX, 7.Jeffery SARPONG (11.Kwabena APPIAH 66′), 10.Michael MCGLINCHEY,, 12.Blake POWELL, 14.Albert RIERA, 17.Vince LIA, 1, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.Matthew RIDENTON (28.Joel STEVENS 82′).
Unused substitutes: 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 25.Tamupiwa DIMAIRO,
Yellow cards: Dylan FOX 55′. Blake POWELL 56′
Red cards: Nil
Referee: Stephen Lucas; Assistant Referee 1: Glen Lochrie; Assistant Referee 2: Simon Lount; Fourth Official: Alex King.
