Wellington Phoenix’s Isuzu UTE A-League campaign continues to get better courtesy of a sharp 3-0 victory over Brisbane Roar on Wednesday.
Earlier this month the Nix were bottom of the A-League, struggling for cohesion on their third COVID-hit season played away from home.
But after a professional effort at Leichhardt Oval, Ufuk Talay’s men are back inside the top six.
Ex-Manchester United defender Scott Wootton got Wellington moving with his first goal for the club before creative midfielders Gael Sandoval and Reno Piscopo found the net to continue their fine run.
The Nix have claimed 10 points in 10 days as they catch up from a long COVID-enforced break, showing Talay has used the break wisely.
In Sydney, Talay named an unchanged side for the third straight game, with both teams enjoying strong chances in the opening half hour.
Clayton Lewis, who put in a fine shift, sent a rocket just inches wide from distance and soon after the All Whites midfielder struck a sharp free-kick onto the post as Roar gloveman Macklin Freke watched helplessly.
At the other end, Oliver Sail pulled off a diving one-handed save to deny Henry Hore’s piledriver from outside the box.
Set-piece specialist Lewis created the opener with a curling corner for Wootton to head home.
None of the Brisbane defence tracked the towering defender as he followed the flight of the cross, least of all the error-strewn Kai Trewin.
The Roar had one last gasp before Wellington took over with Hore their best on the night, hitting the post after a fine run.
A minute later Sandoval produced a strike of the finest quality, bending his effort past Freke to score his third A-League goal in five matches.
Using the most of their momentum, Piscopo capped a team effort on 68 minutes by firing past Freke at the near post.
All four of the Wellington’s starting attackers – Sandoval, the tireless David Ball, speedster Jaushua Sotirio and Piscopo – were involved in the move as the Nix found their groove.
With star striker Gary Hooper yet to be integrated back into the team, these are encouraging times for Wellington who are yet to win silverware in their 14-year history.
The result also confirms Brisbane as one of the league’s worst travellers, with one win from their last 10 away matches leaving the Roar 10th.
LIVE FEED
By Matthew Comito for KEEPUP
FULL-TIME: WELLINGTON 3-0 BRISBANE
That was a comprehensive display from the ‘Nix, who move into the top six with their fourth win in five games.
GOAL! Piscopo with the calm touch on Wellington’s third (6.50pm AEDT)
It’s three to the ‘Nix at Leichhardt Oval.
Reno Piscopo adds the third with a composed finish after some good work from Sotirio down the right side of the box, who looks a settled member of this Wellington XI.
Sotirio cut back a cross to Piscopo arriving at the back post, who took two touches before burying the ball past Freke.
GOAL! Sandoval doubles the advantage (6.45pm AEDT)
Wellington’s Mexican star has done it again – that’s three goals in five games for Gael Sandoval as he finds the top corner!
It’s a cruel moment for Brisbane who concede a second the minute after striking the post.
Sandoval was found by Jaushua Sotirio on the left flank, creating space outside the box before opening up his body to curl the ball into the top-right corner.
OFF THE POST! ‘Somehow Wellington scramble it away’ (6.43pm AEDT)
“He’s trying to bang open this Wellington door – and he’s still unable to do so!” Said Paramount+ commentator Ben Homer as Henry Hore cut onto his left foot to hammer a shot off the post.
An hour gone without many genuine chances, the Roar have looked most threatening with Hore on the ball. His shot on goal caused a mad scramble in the box but his teammates were unable to help the rebound reach the back of the net.
GOAL! Wootton’s maiden ‘Nix goal puts home side on top (6.00pm AEDT)
It’s a first goal in his third Isuzu UTE A-League match for Scott Wootton, who puts Wellington ahead with a back-pedalling header just beyond the half-hour mark.
Lewis put the ball toward the back post from a corner and the delivery looked to have too much heat on it, but Wootton got his head to the ball to sneak it past Freke’s near post.
Huge save by Sail to deny Hore (5.54pm AEDT)
Henry Hore is a player in form, and his strike angled toward the top corner was a near-certain goal if not for the intervention from Oli Sail in between the sticks for Wellington.
Hore turned on the edge of the box and his shot had power, pace and accuracy – but Sail leapt across to his left to tip the ball out for a corner.
Lewis long-bombs threaten Brisbane’s goal (5.36pm AEDT)
Paramount+ co-commentator Daniel Georgievski described Clayton Lewis’ left peg as “delicious” after the ‘Nix midfielder launched a rocket from outside the box which had Macklin Freke concerned as he leapt across to try and save the strike aimed toward goal.
The ball faded late past the left-hand goalpost – but minutes later Lewis was at it again, sizing up a free-kick from a deadly position and striking the post as he continues to threaten from range.
KICK-OFF: ‘Nix and Roar engage in battle at Leichhardt Oval (5.27pm AEDT)
A neat piece of trickery by Phoenix star Reno Piscopo has the home side on the front foot early doors.
A powerful Josh Laws header from a swinging cross flew over the bar in Wellington’s first sight on goal in the 2nd minute of playas they look to get on top of the Roar from the start.
PRE-GAME
It’s game 250 in the Isuzu UTE A-League for journeyman Scott Neville as he lines up as part of a Brisbane Roar squad on the rise.
TEAM NEWS
Both teams name unchanged starting XI’s from the weekend as Jaushua Sotirio and David Ball continue to lead the line for the ‘Nix, whilst Luke Ivanovic returns to Brisbane’s bench looking to make his first appearance since January 15.
