Soccer: Wellington Phoenix denied in controversial final against Brisbane Roar in A-League

Wellington Phoenix 1
Brisbane Roar 1

Wellington Phoenix have conceded a late draw to draw 1-1 with Brisbane Roar at McDonald Jones Stadium.

In the quintessential game of two halves, Phoenix dominated the first period and took a well-deserved 1-0 lead through Israeli striker Tomer Hemed, but spent most of the second half on his back foot, eventually succumbing to a draw. in the 86th minute from Golgol Mebrahtu, substitute for Brisbane.

The match ended in controversy with Wellington denied a possible penalty, the ball appeared to hit the hand of a Brisbane defender, but the VAR confirmed the decision of referee Stephen Lucas, who rejected Wellington’s protests. That infuriated Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay, who was involved in heated discussions with Brisbane coaching staff and players after the final whistle.

Talay spoke on the eve of the match about wanting to see more of Hemed. Thus, he promoted his marquee signing to the starting full-back for the first time in the last six games and repaid the faith of his coach by scoring a second goal in the same number of games. It was courtesy of an error by Roar at the end of a deft pass movement from the Phoenix, when Brisbane captain Tom Aldred failed to clear a James McGarry left center, the ball fell to Hemed, who hit home from inside the penalty area.

In torrential rain in Hunter Valley, Wellington dominated first-half possession, chaining passes and employing high pressure without regularly testing Jamie Young in Brisbane’s goal. The excellent Reno Piscopo combined well with both Hemed and Mexican attacker Ulises Dávila and was at the heart of most of his team’s highlights.

The best early opportunity fell to Davila, who fired wide in the 13th minute and Wellington had the ball in the net soon after, but Davila’s shot had strayed out of David Ball’s hand before passing to Young. At the other end, the Phoenix archer, Oli Sail, was rarely worried.

As expected of a team desperate to snap a six-game winless streak, Brisbane increased the pressure in the second half, forcing Wellington to back down and launching wave after wave of attack. Sail was constantly called up from open-play situations and set pieces and a combination of his goalie, last-minute defense and a lucky streak kept the Phoenix in front until Mebrahtu found a center at the far post to finish the tie. with his goal. first touch.

Phoenix have a brief change of course before hosting Melbourne Victory, which is in last place, on Wednesday night. On impulse, last season’s captain Steven Taylor came out of quarantine and will be in contention to appear on his return to the club after a season playing in India.

Wellington Phoenix 1 (Hemed 42)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Mebrahtu 86)