Phoenix Pay The Penalty

Despite an unconvincing display the Western Sydney Wanderers have secured a top two finish in the A-League, and have the ability to win the A-League Premiership next week, after Wellington Phoenix gifted the Wanderers a 2-1 victory with two penalties in each half. Shinji Ono took the lead with his penalty while Mark Bridge calmly scored from the spot for the winner after Jeremy Brockie's equaliser for Wellington.

The RBB conducted their silent protest against baseless Hatamoto & Football Federation Australia ban orders, and this produced an eerie atmosphere in the first 20 minutes of the match. FourFourTwo Australia has more detail on the protest here at this link.

The match itself was very physical, but open with numerous shooting opportunities for both sides. This was despite the Parramatta Stadium pitch being disgraceful compared to it's pristine pre-NRL condition. How Parramatta Stadium can justify, or be allowed to have three games of Rugby League on the pitch as the Wanderers have vital matches and a home final to come is beyond my comprehension.

After only 5 minutes western Sydney were on top, Mark Bridge lifting a ball over the top of the Wellington defence for Labinot Haliti to run onto. The hero of Gosford paused only to let the ball drop, giving just enough time for Glen Moss to race out of his goal and spread himself wide to deny Western Sydney the opening goal. The first chance for Wellington came after a long ball that gave Jeremy Brockie space to attack down the right flank. He found himself on the byline and attempted to blast a shot past Ante Covic, the narrow angle causing the ball to flash across goal and go out for a throw-in.

As Western Sydney worked the ball back up the pitch moments later Tony Lochhead was guilty of an infringement and gave away the first penalty. The destructive duo of Hersi and Polenz combined once more, Hersi working the ball for the inside run of Polenz who returned the ball through a back heel that went just behind the flying winger. His ability to keep the ball under his control attracted a very sturdy challenge from Lochhead in his attempt to clear, he tripped Hersi clearly and referee Strebre Delovski instantly pointed to the spot. Shinji Ono took on the responsibility as he has done so all season, Moss going the wrong way but unlikely to have saved the shot even if he had picked correctly, the powerful and well directed penalty giving Western Sydney a 1-0 lead after just 6 minutes.

Aaron Mooy and Ono combined in a one-two pass on the edge of the area, Mooy cutting the ball onto his left foot and unleashing a low drive that Moss covered easily. Paul Ifill then created a chance for Dani Sanchez, getting the better of Adam D'Apuzzo then clipping to the near post region. With Beauchamp and Topor-Stanley both on the heels, Sanchez was able to leap for a free header, only to hit it well over the bar.

Mateo Poljak was pole axed when his face intercepted a Wellington cross. As the crowd chanted for the RBB and their calls were answered with the end of the silent protest, Shinji Ono was the recipient of a lucky bounce in the 6 yard box, his over the shoulder shot difficulty in execution and missed high. Jeremy Brockie then hit back for Wellington. A very dubious foul by D'Apuzzo, compounded with referee Strebre Delovski, the linesman and fourth official not spotting Ifill stealing 10 meters, allowed Manny Muscat the opportunity to launch a long bomb into the heart of the Wanderers defence. The pass managed to evade all, Leo Bertos using his pace to turn and fire the ball into the box, Brockie drawing level with McBreen in the Golden Boot race as he cut across Topor-Stanley to stab the ball home.

Minutes later Haliti was put clean through on goal by an Aaron Mooy lobbed through-ball, but the finish was not of the quality that won the match in Gosford and it screwed wide to his right. From what moment on Wellington had the better of the attacking opportunities, Ben Sigmund having the best chance, getting onto the end of another long ball into the box, he rose over Polenz, it had Covic beaten but not Topor-Stanley who cleared it off the line.

Shinji Ono made way for Dino Kresinger due to tightness in the hamstrings, forcing a tactical reshuffle that saw Bridge play as the central attacking midfielder, Haliti move wide left and Kresinger up front as usual. The first major action of the second half resulted in a second penalty and goal for Western Sydney. Hersi attacked Tony Lochhead, cut inside and played an aimless ball into the middle, Vince Lia stuck his arm out, his body in a horribly awkward position and inexplicably handled the ball. Mark Bridge took on the responsibility with Ono off the field, a carbon copy of the Ono penalty, Paston going the wrong way yet again.

In front of Australian manager Holger Osiek, Topor-Stanley rose to hit a free header off a Mooy corner, but could only fire it at Paston. Bridge put a wonderful chance over the bar after faking a run and pulling away to the penalty spot, Hersi's ball just slightly behind, causing Bridge to lean back and forcing the shot high. As the 72nd minute marker ticked by Ifill had his own chance float high, Covic punching a long cross only as far as Wellington's midfield maestro, his lob only just high.

As time ran down Western Sydney failed to score the killer third goal despite heaping pressure on the Wellington goal, their opponents could sniff an upset draw and it nearly came to fruition through Brockie. He managed to control the ball on the edge of the area and manufacture a volleyed shot on the turn, the effort having Covic beaten all ends up, the three points were rescued by the crossbar. Wellington weren't able to create any more solid chance and the end of the game signalled that Western Sydney had moved potentially one game away from their maiden A-League Premiership.

Western Sydney have moved 5 points clear of Central Coast Mariners with only 3 rounds to play. Western Sydney face Melbourne Heart a day before Central Coast play Brisbane Roar, meaning that if the Wanderers could secure an away win in Melbourne the Mariners would have to win to keep the title race alive.

The Wanderers next match is against Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park, Melbourne, on Saturday the 16th of March at 5:00pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time.