Melbourne Victory fell to a 4-1 loss to the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League on Wednesday.
Summary
Wellington scored twice in each half at WIN Stadium in Wollongong to secure the three points before Elvis Kamsoba’s late goal for Victory.
Tomer Hemed, David Ball, Ulises Davila and Clayton Lewis were on the scoresheet for the Phoenix.
While Victory dominated early possession, it fell behind in the 11th minute, Hemed finishing off a counter-attack after a Davila pass.
Ben Folami curled an effort over the crossbar for Victory in the 14th minute before the 21-year-old had another shot saved down low by Phoenix goalkeeper Oli Sail.
Victory continued to build promising moments and Callum McManaman saw a strike fly off target just after the half-hour mark.
Kamsoba was the next to threaten for Victory.
Jacob Butterfield intercepted a pass and played in the attacker, who eventually drew an excellent low save from Sail from just inside the area.
But Wellington doubled its lead when Ball scrambled in nine minutes before half-time, despite an apparent Alex Rufer handball in the lead-up.
The Phoenix went close again four minutes prior to the break as Lewis saw a 20-yard effort cannon off the crossbar.
Sail denied Victory again just before half-time, making a brilliant reflex save to deny Folami from close range after the forward received a pass from Kamsoba.
Victory goalkeeper Matt Acton was forced into a strong stop to begin the second half, saving a powerful James McGarry strike onto his post.
Davila added a third for Wellington shortly after the hour-mark, curling in from 25 yards after a pass from McGarry, before Lewis made it 4-0.
Kamsoba pulled a goal back for Victory, lobbing Sail after getting on the end of a Jake Brimmer pass for his first goal of the season.
Player in focus
Key moment
Result
Hyundai A-League 2020/21
Wellington Phoenix 4 (Tomer Hemed 11′, David Ball 36′, Ulises Davila 62′, Clayton Lewis 68′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Elvis Kamsoba 76′)
Wellington Phoenix: Sail (gk); Fenton, Taylor, Payne, McGarry; Davila (c) (Waine 90+1′), Rufer, Lewis (Sutton 90+1′), Piscopo (Devlin 45′); Ball (Sotirio 81′), Hemed (Lokolingoy 72′).
Melbourne Victory: Acton (gk); Roux (Bello 77′), Ansell, Anderson, Traore; Brimmer, Butterfield; McManaman (Barnett 86′), Kruse (c), Folami (Kirdar 57′); Kamsoba (Lawrie-Lattanzio 77′).
Yellow cards: Traore 65′, Kruse 70′, Fenton 74′, Butterfield 90+1′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBA
Venue: WIN Stadium
Next up
Victory is back in New South Wales on Saturday when it faces the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
