A brace from striker Roy Krishna has inspired Wellington Phoenix to their first win of the season after outclassing Newcastle Jets 2-0 at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.
Both sides struggled in the early stages in blustery conditions but it was the Phoenix who settled the quicker and took the lead midway through the opening stanza with Krishna netting his second in as many games.
The hosts continued to press and doubled their advantage just before the break with Krishna punishing the Jets on the counter attack after a sloppy turnover on the halfway line.
Newcastle fought desperately to grab a goal as the game progressed but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities as the Phoenix held on for a comfortable victory.
GOALS
1-0 Wellington Phoenix: Roy Krishna, 21’
Kosta Barbarouses produced a surging run into the box before unleashing a thumping strike which was well saved by Jack Duncan but the rebound fell to Krishna who tapped home from close range.
2-0 Wellington Phoenix: Roy Krishna, 42’
The hosts pounced on a Jets turnover inside their own half with Barbarouses’ neat through ball teeing up Krishna with the Fijian firing a powerful strike past the onrushing Duncan.
OPTA DATA
– Wellington’s victory snapped a run of six straight losses on home soil
-The defeat is only the second time in seven visits the Jets have failed to secure points in New Zealand.
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