While the Wellington Phoenix never looked like losing to an under-manned Perth Glory side in the wind and rain at Westpac Stadium on Sunday night, skipper Andrew Durante admitted taking all three points had been more satisfying than his side’s performance.
“Result-wise we’re very happy. Four goals and a clean sheet it’s not too bad considering we didn’t play that good,” the defender said.
“We were really patchy today. We did some really good things then we’d fall away and they would come at us a bit.”
“I guess you can’t really complain too much with a result like that. If you can win 4-0 and not play at your best then you-re doing something right.”
It was the third clean sheet in a row at home for the Phoenix, and the second since the return from injury of Tony Lochhead at left-back.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence,” said Durante. “He gives us a lot of balance in the squad.”
“He’s looking good. In the second half especially he got up and down a lot and delivered some good crosses.”
“He’s important there. It frees Manny (Muscat) up in midfield and Manny does a great job for us in there.”
The win, courtesy of a Tando Velaphi own-goal and goals from Dylan Macallister, Vince Lia and Chris Greenacre, lifted the Phoenix from eighth to seventh spot, just a point behind Melbourne Heart, and keeps them well and truly in the race for the play-offs.
But they had little time to dwell on the success with attention soon switching to the rescheduled game against Brisbane Roar on the Gold Coast on Wednesday night.
“We’ve got to go to Brisbane and get some points. I think that’s important for us too,” said coach Ricki Herbert, who hinted at some changes to his starting side for the match at Skilled Park.
“Greenie will be champing at the bit to get a run and Daniel could probably start for us. Maybe we give Marco (Rojas) a little bit of a break. May be he can come home and do some damage here (against the Newcastle Jets).”
“It will be really important that we try and put our best foot forward against Brisbane. Why can-t they be beaten?”
