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A-League Men
2024-25
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WEL vs WUN
A-League Men
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Men
Men
Wellington Phoenix
vs
Western United
1
FT
1
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Facts Only
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Full-Time: 1 - 1
The Wellington Phoenix have opened their season with a draw against Western United. Make sure you switch over for live coverage of the final match of opening weekend between Macarthur and Perth Glory. It's been a pleasure bringing you all the action from Sky Stadium this afternoon. For now, Harrison Ryburn signing out.
Western United will definitely be the happier of the two sides, travelling back across the ditch with a share of the points. Like their opponents they weren't great though, lacking an attacking outlet in particular, and struggling to create anything aside from the goal. The intensity that the subs made late on off the bench proved pivotal though, adding the impact that helped get the equaliser. A 'smash and grab' effort in some aspects as such from John Aloisi's men.
A mixture of good and bad from the Wellington Phoenix, which is probably to be expected for the first game of the season. They played out from the back at every opportunity and were patient in possession at times, building on the style that coach Giancarlo Italiano implemented to much success last season. Long balls over the top created a few chances at the start of the second half too, and the hosts will probably feel they could've had a second goal, with Barbarouses lifting his effort over the top of the crossbar from point blank range. To concede with fifteen minutes to play, having largely kept Western United containted for the majority of the contest will also be dissapointing, and it's clear there's progress that can and needs to be made moving forward.
Fulltime in Wellington and it finishes all square between the Phoenix and Western United. Kosta Barbarouses opened the scoring moments before the break to edge the Nix ahead, but the visitors found a response and levelled the contest with fifteen minutes to play through Angus Thurgate. Wellington were probably the slightly better side, but a share of the points is well merited, and both teams will feel they've still got a lot of progress to make moving forward.
90+4'
CHANCE! Walker wins a free kick just inside his own half, and it's quickly launches long over the top of the defence for Payne. The fullback takes it down and finds himself with just the keeper to beat at the top of the box, only to fire straight into the arms of Sutton on his left foot.
90+2'
Thurgate takes out Nagsawa and picks up a yellow. It comes back for Oluwayemi to clear, who finds Ball on the right flank. Neither side look like they're going to have enough for a winner with just 120 seconds left on the clock.
90+2'
A. Thurgate
+4
90'
Play is switched for Shamoon on the left, but he comes under pressure from Al-Taay and loses possession away over the sideline. The Phoenix throw is intercepted by Botic, who sends a long ball into the box, only for Oluwayemi to come off his line and collect.