Wellington Phoenix coack Ricki Herbert felt his side showed some opening weekend jitters early in their 1-1 draw with Queensland on Sunday.
Wellington Phoenix coack Ricki Herbert felt his side showed some opening weekend jitters early in their 1-1 draw with Queensland on Sunday.
Herbert said the nervous beginning allowed Queensland to boss the opening period, although he was happy the side built on this and eventually worked their way into the contest.
“I thought we were too cautious to begin with. We took that extra touch that you just can’t afford to take against a side like Queensland,” said Herbert after the match.
“I think in game one, everyone is being a little bit tentative because you are getting the season underway, and no-one wants to make mistakes.”
However, Herbert’s side managed to up the intensity in the second half despite conceding the opening goal to Charlie Miller in the 46th minute.
“My message at half time was to release the shackles and be a bit more positive, and to start playing the way we know we are capable of,” Herbert said.
Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante admitted that several players were nervous to begin with, before Queensland’s second half goal forced them to wake up.
“I think everyone was trying to find their feet in front of the home fans, and it was a little bit scrappy,” Durante said.
“We came out a little bit flat in the second half (as well) but after we conceded that goal, we lifted and equalized not long after, so it was a positive sign that we hit back and showed some character,” he said.
Queensland Roar coach Frank Farina felt his team could possibly have come away with more than a point, given the way his side performed.
“I’m a little disappointed not to take all three [points] to be honest,” Farina said.
“I felt we controlled enough of the match to get the result, but ultimately it wasn’t to be.”
Despite the Wellington’s impressive Pre-Season Cup campaign, Farina insisted his team came to the New Zealand capital with no fear of the home side.
“I’ve always said that the Pre-Season Cup is no gauge of how a team performs throughout the season,” he said.
“The Phoenix came into this match off a good run in that competition, but it didn’t come into our thinking at all.”
