Source: Radio New Zealand
Western Sydney Wanderers celebrate a goal against Wellington Phoenix. photosport
Wellington Phoenix have been stunned 1-0 at home by the lowly Western Sydney Wanderers to end their hopes of winning the women’s A-League minor premiership.
The listless defeat at Porirua Park on Sunday also leaves doubt over whether coach Bev Priestman’s team can secure a top-two finish which would hand them a bye in the first round of the play-offs.
It is a second straight loss for the Phoenix who will be second or third heading into next Friday’s final-round match away to fourth-placed Adelaide United, with plenty on the line.
They will need to improve their intensity and their quality after a wasteful display in which they struggled to put together coherent attacks.
Mackenzie Anthony of the Wellington Phoenix shoots. photosport
They paid the price in the 78th minute when Wanderers substitute Yuan Cong found the net to bring life to a mediocre contest.
The Chinese striker controlled a long ball superbly and volleyed at goal before pouncing on the reboud after the shot was blocked by goalkeeper Victoria Esson.
As with last week’s loss to Central Coast, the Phoenix came to life in the closing stages but it was too late as they suffered a sixth defeat of what has been a resurgent season.
They are guaranteed a first-ever playoff birth but could yet finish as low as fourth after having looked capable of a possible first-placing finish as recently as three weeks ago.
The Wanderers – who had lost their last five encounters against the Phoenix – climb off the bottom of the table.
Melbourne City are now guaranteed to be minor premiers.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
