Soccer: Phoenix fall to late strike

Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Wellington Phoenix crashed to a surprise 1-0 loss to ASB Premiership side Auckland City in Auckland yesterday.

A brilliant goal from replacement midfielder Sam Burfoot in the 86th minute was enough to take the game for the Oceania club champions, against a Phoenix side that dominated possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Auckland City deserved the win, as they had most of the best chances, particularly in the first half. It's not the first professional scalp for the ASB Premiership side either, as they beat the Central Coast Mariners in a similar pre-season friendly two seasons ago.

Results are of secondary importance in pre-season matches, with coaches wanting to work on tactics and patterns but it will provide a great fillip for the Auckland side.

The Phoenix fielded most of their youngsters and were missing Paul Ifill and Carlos Hernandez but coach Ernie Merrick will be disappointed with his team's inability to make more of their possession.

Merrick fielded four trialists as well as youth players Luke Adams and Joshua Brindell-South.

Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx opened with his strongest possible line-up, with former Croatian age group international Mario Bilen used as a shield in front of the central defence.

Auckland carved out most of the early opportunities as the Phoenix took time to settle in the blustery conditions. Two of the best chances fell to Emiliano Tade, with the second in particular a regrettable miss, as he scooped the ball straight into the hands of Jacob Spoonley when clean through on goal.

Marquee signing Roy Krishna, playing in an unfamiliar left midfield role for the first 35 minutes, also had some half chances, prompting one outstanding save from Spoonley.

The Phoenix's best chance in the first half fell to Ben Sigmund, his stinging drive was parried away brilliantly by Tamati Williams. It would have been a sweet moment for Sigmund to score in front of the home fans, as the All White spent several seasons at Kiwitea Street before he turned professional.

Ivan Vicelich limped out with a slight knock after 35 minutes, replaced by the impressive John Irving, who has arrived at the ASB Premiership club via Everton reserves, semi-professional football in Wales and Northern League football in this country.

The Wellington side began to flex their muscles in the second half, with substitutes Tyler Boyd and Manny Muscat adding impetus.

The Phoenix were camped in the Auckland City half for the last 30 minutes, though the home side had late chances to Adam Dickinson and Alex Feneridis before Burfoot's stunning strike.

From an attacking corner, the ball fell to Burfoot just outside the area and the former Western Springs player unleashed an unstoppable drive into the far corner of Glen Moss' goal. Dickinson also produced a great close-range save from Moss two minutes later.

Auckland City FC 1 (Sam Burfoot 86)
Wellington Phoenix 0
HT: 0-0