A-League: Krishna stars in Phoenix win

Roy Krishna has continued his stellar form to inspire Wellington to a 2-0 win over Central Coast.

Roy Krishna of the Wellington Phoenix, left, scores a goal during the round-six game between the Central Coast Mariners and Phoenix.

Roy Krishna has continued his stellar A-League soccer form to inspire Wellington to a dominant 2-0 win over a disappointing Central Coast in Canberra.

Krishna showed off his signature speed in the 49th minute on Saturday to net his fourth goal in three games before putting one on a platter for teammate Hamish Watson soon after.

The Phoenix overcame the loss of five international players to record back-to-back wins for the first time in 13 months, temporarily lifting themselves to seventh spot on the table.

The visitors took advantage of the freeflowing affair in the Mariners’ adopted home ground in Canberra, firing off seven shots on target compared to just two for the hosts.

For Central Coast, the defeat in front of a poor GIO Stadium crowd of 5497 continued a drought of more than 930 days since recording successive victories of their own.

Wellington started underdogs for the match, having lost regular first-teamers to New Zealand duty, including Kosta Barbarouses, Glen Moss and Andrew Durante.

But they made a mockery of their understrength unit to create more chances against a loose Mariners defence that struggled to contain the Phoenix’s speed and wizardry in the front third.

Central Coast goalkeeper Paul Izzo had his hands full from start to finish, denying two early chances to Watson and another to Krishna over the opening 20 minutes.

Free-kick specialist Gui Finkler also crashed one set piece into the woodwork, while Scott Galloway succumbing to a first-half hamstring strain didn’t help either.

The home side weren’t without their own opportunities, with Fabio Ferreira twice cannoning free kicks into a wall before halftime, and Roy O’Donovan spurning a decent chance just after.

However, Wellington were in control for most of the match and edged ahead when Krishna flew onto a long ball from Watson, took a touch past an advancing Izzo and finished acutely.

The 29-year-old then returned the favour to Watson seven minutes later, latching onto a Finkler through-ball and teeing up a goal into an open net.

AAP

Roy Krishna of the Wellington Phoenix goes past Paul Izzy of the Central Coast Mariners, left, to score a goal.

Roy Krishna as he scores.