Wellington Phoenix have secured their first win of the Hyundai A-League season following an entertaining 5-2 victory over Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.
In a free-flowing encounter, Phoenix fell behind early courtesy of a Xavi Torres goal before strikes to Dario Vidosic and Goran Paracki gave them a 2-1 advantage at the break.
Glory equalised through Shane Lowry early in the second half before a goal to Gui Finkler and a double from Andrija Kaluderovic secured a deserved victory for the Nix.
STORY OF THE GAME
*In an end-to-end opening, Glory took the lead inside 10 minutes with Xavi Torres punishing Phoenix after Keegan Smith was adjudged to have handled a back-pass inside the box.
*The goal sprung the Phoenix into action and they restored parity with Dario Vidosic finding the net less than five minutes later.
*The game settled as the first half progressed with Perth enjoying the better of the contest with Diego Castro and Chris Harold prominent for the visitors.
*But against the run of play, Phoenix took the lead with Goran Paracki punishing a shocking error from Glory’s Scott Neville.
*Phoenix defender Dylan Fox, a late replacement for Scott Galloway, was forced off just before half-time with a suspected hamstring strain.
*Glory raced out of the blocks at the start of the second half and grabbed an equaliser through Shane Lowry before Phoenix hit back almost immediately through Gui Finkler.
*Both teams continued to look dangerous but it was Phoenix who all but sealed the result with Andrija Kaluderovic netting from the penalty spot with 15 to play.
*Kaluderovic put the icing on the cake in the dying minutes with a well-taken header to give Phoenix their maiden win of the season.
GOALS
0-1: Torres, Perth Glory, 9’
After being awarded an indirect free kick inside the area, Diego Castro teed up Xavi Torres with the Spaniard curling a delightful strike into the top corner, leaving Smith with no chance.
1-1: Vidosic, Wellington Phoenix, 13’
Roy Krishna pounced on a loose ball before teasing a cross into the area with Vidosic rising highest to bury a clinical header from close range.
2-1: Paracki, Wellington Phoenix, 34’
Glory’s Scott Neville gifted the Phoenix the ball on the edge of the box with Krishna teeing up Paracki who slotted expertly from a tight angle.
2-2: Lowry, Perth Glory, 47’
Nichols found space on the right flank and whipped in an inviting cross which Lowry nodded past the helpless Smith.
3-2: Finkler, Wellington Phoenix, 52’
Krishna was released in behind before squaring to Finkler who showed great composure before slotting under Reddy.
4-2: Kaluderovic: Wellington Phoenix, 74’
Phoenix were awarded a penalty following a Glory handball inside the box and Kaluderovic made no mistake from the spot, coolly tucking the ball into the bottom corner.
5-2: Kaluderovic: Wellington Phoenix: 87’
Substitute Adam Parkhouse whipped in a neat ball into the box with Kaluderovic wriggling free of his marker to bury a superb header.
FULL TIME | What a win for @WgtnPhoenixFC!
Highlights: https://t.co/EJ5BqxcUHd#WELvPER #ALeague #RemembranceRound pic.twitter.com/FKYVmJcHdT
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) November 12, 2017
