A-League 2015-16: Wellington Phoenix 2-0 Melbourne Victory, Round 9

WELLINGTON returned to the A-League’s top six with a crucial 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory in Auckland on Saturday.

A-League Rd 9 - Wellington v Melbourne

THE streak is over, long live the streak.

But Wellington’s 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory at Auckland’s QBE Stadium was overshadowed by the farcical circumstances in which the match was played — a terrible pitch and a bizarre strip clash often making it impossible to tell the teams apart.

Victory had been on a six-game win streak in all competitions, but was thwarted by a Phoenix team that refused to be pushed around by the defending champions.

Danny Vukovic should not have been beaten at his near post for Roy Krishna’s 18th minute opener, but there were no question marks over Wellington’s second just before half time, which came after a brilliant burst from midfield by Krishna that was then poked home by Roly Bonevacia.

Roy Krishna leads Leigh Broxham to the ball.

While that goal was easy on the eye, there was little else that was aesthetically pleasing.

Both Victory coach Kevin Muscat and Phoenix counterpart Ernie Merrick would have been fuming at the state of the surface.

The ball was bobbling constantly, sand continually shot up from the ground and the pitch even appeared to have been painted in parts.

But if that wasn’t already bad enough for the 10,852 in attendance — as well as the television audience — the decision to allow such a clash of jerseys was utterly baffling.

Phoenix wore a one-off silver strip, which would have been fine if Victory wasn’t wearing its white away shirt in combination with its blue home shorts.

At a time when the game is being brought to its knees by fan boycotts, the calamities were just another bad look for Football Federation Australia.

It was a spiteful match, one which referee Alan Milliner struggled to stay on top of.

But Milliner didn’t even finish the night, succumbing to a left hamstring strain in the 76th minute, an injury which could well have been attributable to the pitch.

Credit must be given to the way the Phoenix approached the game.

Barely a month ago they lost 3-0 to Victory at Etihad Stadium.

The kit clash caused a stir.

Wellington’s front three of Krishna, Bonevacia and Michael McGlinchey continue to cause havoc and the trio was central to Wellington’s goals.

Played through on goal, Krishna appeared to have squandered his 18th minute chance with a poor first touch, yet somehow squeezed his shot between Vukovic’s left arm and the near post.

It was a poor moment for the Victory goalkeeper, but he redeemed himself somewhat about 10 minutes later when a stunning bit of close control from Bonevacia set up a one-on-one chance which was saved.

But there was no stopping the Dutchman’s close range poke home in the 44th minute, which came after Fijian flyer Krishna stormed towards goal from midfield and then played the ball left to McGlinchey.

The Kiwi international then squared in to the box where Krishna again struggled with his first touch, but Bonevacia was on hand to finish the job.

Victory players didn’t adapt to the surface early, but the second half was an improvement.

Kosta Barbarouses was a shining light, but should have done better with a 50th minute chance.

Fahid Ben Khalfallah found the back of the net five minutes later, but an offside Besart Berisha was adjudged to have interfered with play.

Ollie Bozanic nearly scored from a 65th minute corner, but his header was saved by Glen Moss, who almost gifted Victory a goal soon after by dropping a cross, but Berisha couldn’t capitalise.

Originally published as A-League 2015-16: Wellington Phoenix 2-0 Melbourne Victory, Round 9