Jaushua Sotirio strikes late to give Wellington Phoenix their first win

Substitute Jaushua Sotirio responded from his bench to hand Wellington Phoenix their first A-League win of the season.

The forward, abandoned by coach Ufuk Talay after a futile performance last weekend, maintained his composure to score a goal in the 88th minute to beat the Central Coast Mariners 2-1 in Gosford on Sunday.

Alex Rufer ran a ball over the Mariners defense and Sotirio used his speed to get behind defender Stefan Nigro and kept his cool to launch a well-spotted shot around goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.

The narrow victory was Phoenix’s first in the 2020-21 A-League season and snapped an eight-game winless streak dating back to July of last year.

READ MORE:
* Hopeful All Whites Gianni Stensness plays a central role in the Mariners’ rise
* Former golf prodigy Ben Old strives for Wellington Phoenix’s contract
* Ufuk Talay wants Wellington Phoenix to ‘rise from the ashes’ after a winless start

“You want your substitutes to come in and have an impact and for him to come and score the winner, it was very effective for us,” said Talay.

“The most important thing is that we go with the three points. The three points are very important to build trust in the group.

“The first half I thought we were very good, we played very good football. The second half was totally different, but I’m happy that the guys can fight and work and get the final result. “

The game, played in wet conditions, looked destined for a teammate at the slate after teenage forward Alou Koul scored on a corner kick to disallow captain Ulises Dávila’s elegant first goal.

Dávila combined with Tomer Hemed to open the scoring with a low shot from far in the 15th minute, but Koul punished his vague set-piece defense at level from a free header in the 41st.

The draw was a crucial turning point in the game. The Phoenix were in control for most of the first half, retaining most of the possession and patiently building through midfield, but lost their bearings for most of the second half and it was the Mariners who seemed most likely to kick and find a late winner.

Mariners captain Oliver Bozanic, who required treatment after his shoulder came off at halftime but played bravely despite the pain, forced Marinovic to pull off two strong saves from long range.

But it was Sotirio who had the last word, scoring on Phoenix’s only shot on goal in the second half, a goal that Mariners coach Alen Stajcic described as a “fool’s punch” given the hosts’ dominance in the second. half.

“In the second half, the thought process behind the arrival of Jaushy was that Central Coast had a lot of the ball and you’re more vulnerable when you have the ball, and he has a lot of pace to get behind,” Talay said.

“We won the ball there, Rufer played the ball over the top and it was a great shot from Jaushy.”

Wellington Phoenix 2, (Ulises Davila 15 ‘, Jaushua Sotirio 88’) Central Coast Sailors 1 (Alou Koul 41 ‘)

HT: 1-1