Football: Phoenix disappoint at second Sydney showdown

Sydney FC and the Phoenix were evenly matched in the end. Photo / Getty Images

Sydney FC 0
Wellington Phoenix 0

The problem with setting high standards is that it's both surprising and disappointing when they're not met.

Wellington had played such attractive football at times this season they had become compulsory viewing for round-ball fans in this country. But their performances in their Sydney double-header over the past week has been poor by their standards.

They were undone 2-1 by Western Sydney at the weekend, a performance that drew harsh criticism from their coach Ernie Merrick, and drew a blank tonight against the Wanderers' cross-town rivals Sydney FC.

Merrick would have been less than impressed with what he saw against Sydney FC. His side worked hard in midfield, kept their shape well at the back and sometimes got into good positions but gave the ball away far too cheaply in the final third and failed to find any rhythm.

It meant they rarely threatened with the best chances falling to Roly Bonevacia in the 33rd when he sliced his shot wide and Alex Rodriguez who hit the base of the upright from an acute angle midway through the second half.

The home side haven't exactly been free-scoring this season, having scored only eight goals in eight games, but they looked a lot more threatening, especially on the break. Glen Moss pulled off one terrific save to tip a Filip Holosko shot around the upright early in the match and Alex Brosque had his late shot hit the upright and run harmlessly across the face of goal.

The flow of the game wasn't helped by plenty of niggle or constant whistle. There were 41 fouls in the match, 29 by Sydney, and in the process Bonevacia topped the charts for being the most fouled player in the league this season.

The Dutch midfielder has become such a key player for Wellington, he attracts close attention and was largely marked out of the game last night before being substituted with 10 minutes remaining.

Wellington at least picked up a point away from home that keeps them mid-table and notched their first clean sheet in 11 games, but what they produced in the Sydney double header is not what we have come to expect.

They now have a week before hosting the high-flying Melbourne Victory next weekend in Auckland, when Wellington's place in the A-League will once again come under the spotlight.