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WEL vs MVC
A-League Men
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Men
Men
Wellington Phoenix
vs
Melbourne Victory
1
FT
0
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 1 - 0
That wraps things up here on Tribe, thanks for joining us. Can Auckland make it two wins for the New Zealand sides in the Unite Round today? Join us for all the coverage of their game against Macarthur starting soon.
So Wellington Phoenix join Melbourne Victory at the top of the A-League ladder with 10 points after this game. Both could drop down if Auckland gain another positive result later today against Macarthur. The Phoenix have a bye next week so will spend the next fortnight preparing for a massive second New Zealand derby against Auckland. Revenge will be on their mind. Melbourne Victory will look to bounce back when they face a local derby away to Western United at AAMI Park next Sunday.
Melbourne Victory will be disappointed to fall to their first defeat of the season here, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. They dominated the possession and chances and might leave wondering how they go away empty-handed. Daniel Arzani had the best chance of the first half when his low strike was cleared off the line before Bruno Fornaroli stepped off the bench and almost bent a free kick in to make it 1-1. Victory's central striker Nikos Vergos then Jing Reec did very little to trouble the Phoenix defence, with all the threat coming from out wide. With 10 points from their previous four games, this wasn't a performance to alarm Patrick Kisnorbo. He will be keen to see his side take their chances and show more of a clinical touch in the final third next week though.
Once again the Phoenix proved today that it's not about the quantity of chances but the quality, as Marco Rojas set up Kosta Barbarouses for the crucial winner against both of their former clubs. Paulo Retre was a big presence in the centre of midfield today, while Isaac Hughes and Scott Wootton were at the heart of another massively disciplined defensive display. Josh Oluwayemi made a fine late save from a Bruno Fornaroli free kick to maintain the lead and ensure all three points go back across the Tasman.
Wellington Phoenix put on a superb defensive showing before striking late to take a huge three points off the previously undefeated Melbourne Victory. They may have had the better possession, territory and chances but Kosta Barbarouses was the only player who could find the back of the net late on. A masterclass reminiscent of last season!
90+5'
Alex Rufer is pulled back by Zinedine Machach inside the Phoenix half. They will be in no rush to take this free kick as Josh Oluwayemi sends his side forward.
90+3'
OFF THE WALL THEN OVER! Bruno Fornaroli's strike cannons off the wall but loops into the area dangerously. Scott Wotton nods it down but straight to Ryan Teague. He snatches at a strike and leaning back fires over the bar away to the left from 12 yards.
90+2'
Victory are unsurprisingly camped in the Phoenix half. Isaac Hughes helps a sloppy direct pass forward by Fabian Monge clear. Kosta Barbarouses can't nick the ball off Zinedine Machach and trips him over in a central position away to the right. This will be another shooting opportunity from Bruno Fornaroli just over 25 yards out.
There's FIVE additional minutes for Wellington Phoenix to hold on and Melbourne Victory to try and find a late equaliser.