Wellington Phoenix missed a golden opportunity to climb back to the top of the A-League table after an entertaining goalless draw with Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Sunday.
In an end-to-end game, the in-form Nathan Burns took one of the season’s worst penalties after City defender Safuwan Baharudin clumsily fouled Louis Fenton in the box, striking directly at Tando Velaphi.
Erik Paartalu almost nicked all three points for City at the death when he headed Aaron Mooy’s free kick into and over the crossbar.
The result sees Melbourne undefeated in five consecutive games having had the better run of play for the majority of the match.
Melbourne City
Tando Velaphi (GK) – 8: Kept his cool and stopped a woeful penalty from Burns before denying him again midway through the second half.
Connor Chapman – 5.5: Looked shaky at times in his first game back from a lengthy suspension.
Kew Jaliens – 8: Has established himself as one of City’s most important players in recent weeks and continued that form. Received a yellow card for a poor foul and was replaced by Paulo Retre in the second half due to a leg injury.
Safuwan Baharudin – 5: Gave away a penalty for a clumsy challenge in the first half with a foul that almost cost his side a point.
Patrick Kisnorbo – 6: Was not called upon too often. Another day at the office for the City skipper.
Jonatan Germano – 6.5: Had an early attempt on goal when he caught Glen Moss off his line but could have easily played Harry Novillo in on goal instead.
Erik Paartalu – 6: Almost won the game for City late in injury time with a free header that clipped the bar.
Aaron Mooy – 8.5: Always looks threatening and this match was no different. Set up a number of good opportunities with the best coming late for Paartalu.
Robert Koren – 6: Threatened early with a bullet from outside the box that was tipped over by the diving Moss. The Nix goalkeeper denied him a second time after the break.
Harry Novillo – 5.5: Struggled to pose the same attacking option he has provided in recent weeks. Removed early in the second half for David Williams.
Josh Kennedy – 5: Only real chance of the game came early but Moss blocked his shot. His days in City’s starting XI could be numbered having only found the net once for his new side.
Substitutes
Paulo Retre – 6.5: Made a strong block to cut out a Wellington cross and looked solid in place of Jaliens.
David Williams – 6: Threatened at times running along the wing and moved into a more central position when Kennedy was subbed off.
Jacob Melling – N/A: Barely touched the ball but received a yellow card late in the game.
Wellington Phoenix
Glen Moss (GK) – 8.5: Made at least five crucial saves to deny City all three points, the best of them blocking two of Koren’s shots.
Manny Muscat – 5.5: There when called upon without impressing.
Andrew Durante – 6.5: Made some key interceptions and worked well in unison with Michael Boxall in keeping Kennedy at bay.
Louis Fenton – 6: His early thrust into the penalty area drew a foul from Safuwan. Provided a match-winning chance late in the game for Kenny Cunningham.
Michael Boxall – 6.5: Nullified Kennedy’s influence from set pieces alongside Durante.
Alex Gorrin – 6.5: Helped click Wellington’s midfield into gear in the second half and contributed to a number of scoring opportunities. Brought off for Vince Lia late in the match.
Roly Bonevacia – 6: Had a shot on goal early in the second half which was blocked. Substituted in second half injury time.
Albert Riera – 7: Came to life with the Phoenix midfield for a period during the second half and provided their final third with multiple chances.
Nathan Burns – 6: Struck a penalty horribly wrong into the safe hands of Velaphi. Also missed a golden opportunity in the second half with the whole goal to aim at but was denied again.
Roy Krishna – 5.5: Failed to have any real influence and was removed for Cunningham midway through the second half.
Michael McGlinchey – 6: Nullified effectively by the City defence and was strangled of opportunities.
Substitutes
Kenny Cunningham – 6: Had a chance to win it late for the Nix but failed to bury a header that should have found the back of the net.
Vince Lia – N/A: Brought on for Gorrin but had little influence on the game.
Kwabena Appiah-Kubi – N/A: Played for no more than a couple of minutes.
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