Wellington skipper Andrew Durante says his club is hurting after Sunday’s 3-2 loss at the hands of Victory, but he believes the team can still turn around their Hyundai A-League season.
Tenth placed and with just one win this season, Phoenix gave up a 2-0 lead at the break to lose 3-2 to a Besart Berisha-inspired Melbourne Victory at Westpac Stadium.
While it was a hugely entertaining game, Durante was left to lament what could – and perhaps should – have been on Sunday as his side desperately chase wins.
“Second half, I thought it was fairly even. They took their chances really well,” a disconsolate Durante told Fox Sports.
“First half I thought we were strong. We had a game plan to be aggressive, be on the front foot, win the second balls and we did that.
“I’m a little bit lost for words at the moment. It’s obviously very frustrating for the fans and the players.”
Phoenix remain tenth on the ladder.
They must now regroup and prepare to face in-form Roar in Brisbane next Saturday.
John Aloisi’s men are by contrast on a high following their 2-0 win over Wanderers this season.
Phoenix must start to win games in order to mount a challenge on the six.
Durante, 35, however remains cautiously optimistic that Darije Kalezic’s men can turn it around.
“You can see the players are giving everything. It’s not a lack of trying,” Durante, clearly frustrated, addedl.
“It’s just not happening at the moment and it’s extremely frustrating at home as well we’re not winning games.
“It’s not good enough and I feel for the fans.
“We’re hurting, we’re hurting as a club at the moment but we can turn it around and there are plenty of points left to go and we can turn this around.”
