Wellington Phoenix coach Des Buckingham says the Kiwi side can be satisfied with their recent revival despite the disappointment of Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Perth Glory.
The Finals Series aspirants coughed up 2-0 and 3-1 leads in Auckland as they missed a chance to add to last weekend’s morale-boosting win in Brisbane.
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“Whenever you put yourself in a position where you’re two goals in front, especially at home, it’s disappointing to come away with a point,” Buckingham said.
“But I think it’s important we put it in the context of two tough games. I think if you had said prior to the Brisbane game that we would come away from the next two games with four points, everybody at this football club would have taken it.
“We spoke about building some momentum and we showed again some good signs that these players can play.”
Phoenix took full flight in the first 45 minutes at QBE Stadium as Gui Finkler and Roy Krishna both netted well-worked goals, before Kosta Barbarouses restored their two-goal advantage shortly after the restart.
However, Perth fought back with two further goals of their own in the final half hour to ensure Wellington remain two points off the top six.
“I think they’re still alive,” Buckingham said of his team’s top six chances.
“I think it’s important we go to Western Sydney Wanderers next week and pick up another win, another three points, and we take seven points from what are three very important games.
“We need to put ourselves in that position to kick-on at the back end of this month.”
