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| Paul Ifill celebrates the only goal of the game Photo: FFA website |
Wellington Phoenix
have held onto an early Paul Ifill goal to defeat Sydney FC 1-0 at the SFS on
Saturday evening. Sydney however had a host of chances and dominated possession
but were unable to put the ball into the back of the net.
Sydney had the first chance of the game inside the first
three minutes. The ball fell for Joel Chianese who played in Bruno Cazarine but
the Brazilian fired over from the edge of the box.
Five minutes later Cazarine made a great run and headed
Scott Jamieson’s cross towards goal but Mark Paston made a great save.
On 13 minutes Wellington, with their first chance of the
game opened the scoring. Tony Lochhead put in a brilliant ball into the box
which Ifill headed home past Ivan Necevski.
Ten minutes later Sydney and Chianese should have had a
penalty. Chianese was brought down in the box by Paston but the referee Peter
Green gave Chianese a yellow for simulation.
On 34 minutes Nick Carle could have equalised but chose to
fire with power at the near post but fired wide.
Just before the break Brett Emerton found Cazarine in the
box with a great ball but the Brazilian’s downward header was well saved by
Paston. Paston then jumped up to save Cazarine’s follow-up effort to keep
Wellington in the lead.
Early into the second-half Ifill from an acute angle poked
his effort narrowing wide.
Soon after Sydney were still chasing for an equaliser when Emerton
curled a great free-kick just wide of Paston’s upright.
On the hour mark Jamieson got on the end of Pascal
Bosschaart’s ball and cut the ball back but the Phoenix defence did well to
clear.
Seconds later Sydney had two chances. First with Emerton who
shot towards the bottom corner but Paston got down saving well.
From the follow up Emerton corner Paston punched off the
line before Chianese’s effort on the half-volley was deflected wide.
On 65 minutes Necevski made a great save to deny Chris Greenacre’s
near post flick after Ifill’s low cross.
With ten minutes to go second-half substitute Terry Antonis
fired powerfully wide of the post.
In stoppage time Michael Beauchamp could have stolen a point
but the former Central Coast Mariners’ header was brilliantly saved by Paston.
Seconds later Beauchamp stayed up front and as the Paston
failed to punch the bell fell for Beauchamp but the defender scooped his effort
over the bar.
But Wellington were able to hold on for the victory.
Wellington jump Perth Glory whereas Sydney stays in seventh on goal difference
behind Melbourne Heart. But Heart both have games to play later in the round.
Piece also here
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