Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert was left ruing his side’s missed chances following its 1-1 draw with Perth Glory in New Zealand on Saturday night.
After a dull first half, the match sparked to life in the second period with both sides registering goals. The Phoenix dominated proceedings, but were left frustrated after they failed to convert a number of good chances.
“Ultimately, it felt like a couple of points lost tonight to be fair. But at least we got something from it, other nights we might have got nothing,” Herbert said.
A lot has been made of the form of Shane Smeltz, who did not have a particularly strong game, but Herbert was quick to deny suggestions that his side struggle when Smeltz is not playing at his best.
“It’s hard to hang it on him every week … other people in the squad contribute and Tim (Brown) added his third of the season tonight,” Herbert said.
“I also think it’s fair to point out that we were probably a bit tentative tonight, given that we’d come off being hit for six (goals) last weekend.”
Phoenix skipper Tim Brown echoed his coach’s sentiments, and highlighted the level of frustration that the players felt out in the middle.
“As Ricki said, it was probably a case of a few points lost. We just have to get our heads down and work out how to win these sorts of games as these will be very important heading into the finals. Next Friday will be a massive game for us,” he said.
Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell, thought his side might have done enough after they took the lead against the home side against the run of play.
“I thought we had done enough to win the game after we scored. The Phoenix had put us under pressure, but I felt that once we got that goal, we’d be able to hold on. Ultimately, it spurred them into action and Tando [Velaphi] made some good saves to keep us in the game,” Mitchell said.
Perth came into the match off the back of an impressive win over the Melbourne Victory last week, and were full of confidence heading into the fixture.
“We knew Wellington would be up for a good game and they would have improved from the game against Adelaide, but we felt confident we could come here and get three points,” Mitchell added.
Given the result, Perth’s chances of making the top four are looking increasingly slim, but Mitchell has not ruled out an assault on the finals.
“While there’s still a chance mathematically, we have to believe we can do it. Obviously, today was not the result that either side wanted, but I still have belief in the side,” he said.
