Roly
Bonevacia's form resurgence has continued with a match-winning
performance against Melbourne Victory.
The
midfielder started his second-straight match in the No 10 position
ahead of Gui Finkler and repaid the faith his coaches showed in him,
scoring the first goal in his side's 3-0 win at Westpac Stadium
on Tuesday night.
The
Dutchman had looked out of sorts earlier in the season playing
holding midfield, but these last two games he's been back to his
pulsating best free from the shackles of those defensive duties.
While
he was the standout, it was also by far the Phoenix's best team
performance of the season. The entire back four, in combination with
goalkeeper Glen Moss, kept the Victory scoreless for only the second
time this season, while the holding midfield duo of Vince Lia and
Alex Rodriguez were tireless without the ball and shifted it quickly
when the had it.
But
it was Bonevacia pulling the strings in the front third, which
he was rewarded for when he breaking the deadlock in the 33rd
minute.
VInce
Lia found Roy Krishna in acres of space down the left wing, with
the Fijian whipping in a great low cross for Bonevacia to
get a toe on to deflect past Lawrence Thomas.
It
was good reward for the Phoenix after being the better side in the
first half.
Melbourne
came into the match in second and unbeaten in their last nine,
including a six-game winning streak, but they looked strangely
short on ideas in the front third in the first half. Part of the that
was the Phoenix's organised defence, but they were loose in
possession and managed just two shots, both off target.
They
were better in the second and would have equalised 15 minutes in
if it wasn't for Glen Moss. The Phoenix shotstopper
produced one of the saves of the season to keep out Leigh
Broxham's volley direct for a corner which was destined for the
top corner of Moss' net.
That
came after Krishna fired a long-range effort inches wide of Thomas'
goal in what was an developing into an entertaining second
spell.
There
was a moment of contention 20 minutes from time when Thomas came
out to clear a Phoenix through ball, but used his arm. Shane Smeltz
was lurking for a possible goal-scoring chance, but referee Kris
Griffith-Jones opted for a yellow card, which appeared to be the
right decision.
Rather
than sit back over the closing stages, the Phoenix continued to
push for a second goal. They had a host of great
opportunities before Jacob Tratt popped up with his
first ever A-League goal in the 90th minute, rising high above
the defence to meet a Michael.
McGlinchey
cross and earn his side all three points.
Kosta
Barbarouses then sent the 5865 fans in attendance into dream
land with a superb strike from the edge of the box deep in stoppage
time which whistled into the bottom corner.
It
was a stunning turnaround from the Phoenix after being beaten 6-1 by
the Victory on October 31. With the win the Phoenix move into fifth,
ahead of Perth Glory on goal difference.
Meanwhile,
the Phoenix are expected to confirm on Wednesday a friendly match
against Beijing BG, to be played at Westpac Stadium on February 14.
0 comments:
Post a Comment