Wellington Phoenix coach Des Buckingham is confident skipper Andrew Durante won’t dwell on the error which cost his side a point in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Brisbane Roar.
Durante failed to deal with a ball over the top in the 87th minute which led to Jamie Maclaren’s tap-in winner at Westpac Stadium.
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Buckingham said he hadn’t spoken to Durante after the match as the New Zealand international was still signing autographs for fans.
“There is so much good stuff Andrew does on the pitch and off the pitch,” Buckingham said.
“A mistake unfortunately has cost us a goal. It’s not solely down to Andrew, there is a lot of stuff that has built up towards that.
“He’s made one mistake, it’s not solely his responsibility for the loss.
“He’s a strong enough character to not let that affect him.”
Wellington were threatening more regularly in the second-half but Buckingham believes the pressure was released when Jacob Tratt’s heavy challenge on Corey Brown left the Roar fullback needing treatment.
“We actually really got control of the game,” the Phoenix coach said.
“There was an unfortunate stoppage and I hope [Brown] is okay – it was a mistimed tackle from Jacob, nothing more – and that sort of took the momentum and the sting out of what was building a promising attack for us.”
