KEY POINTS:
Melbourne Victory had outstanding goalkeeper Michael Theoklitis to thank after beating Wellington Phoenix on penalties to win the Pre-Season Cup soccer final in Wellington last night.
Theoklitis produced an exemplary display during and after regulation time as Melbourne prevailed 8-7 in a penalty shootout when the teams were locked at 0-0 after 90 minutes.
A scrappy affair never rose to any memorable heights as both sides lacked a clinical touch in front of goal, forcing the shootout in which Melbourne quickly gained an advantage when Shane Smeltz sent the Phoenix's opening effort well over the bar.
Nick Ward then transgressed for Melbourne, likewise sending his shot too high as the teams were 4-4 before sudden death shots came into play.
The Phoenix blinked first, as Theoklitis dived low to his right to block the effort of defender Karl Dodd.
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert said he could not be too despondent about the shootout result, as it was "like the toss of a coin."
Instead, he was taking heart from the display during normal time and thought his team was unlucky not to claim the cup.
"I think from a dominance point of view we probably had our noses in front and should have won it," he said.
" For us, it was about putting on a decent performance and giving some guys time on the pitch and we did that."
The performance against some of last season's best A-League performers in the Pre-Season Cup augured well for the new season, he said.
"Across the park, the whole group has worked really hard over the last four or five months...and our form has been very good. I'm pleased with it. I think we are all looking forward to the 17th."
It was a cruel ending for the Phoenix, who had gone close to edging in front in the 67th minute when a snap volley by Richard Johnson had Theoklitos at full stretch to his left.
Theoklitis was called on again 13 minutes later when he required a full length dive to his right to deny a low, diving header from Smeltz.
Nothing separated the teams at halftime after neither managed to engineer genuine scoring chances despite both adopting a 4-4-2 formation.
The Phoenix had the better of the opening quarter when they used width and the pace of midfielder Leo Bertos on the right to good effect.
Striker Adam Kwasnik had three opportunities within the opening 16 minute but on no occasion did he make Theoklitos sweat.
Melbourne, the 2006-2007 A-League champions, began stringing together some passes in the latter stages of the half when Danny Allsopp and Ney Fabiano started to assert themselves.
Neither team were at full strength tonight due to injuries, Olympic Games commitments and, in the case of the Phoenix, a suspension being served by regular skipper Andrew Durante.
The Phoenix qualified for the final after beating Sydney FC 3-2, Central Coast Mariners 1-0 and drawing 1-1 with Queensland Roar.
Their first A-League match of the new season is at home against Queensland Roar on August 17.
- NZPA
