The Wellington Phoenix finally showed what they are capable of with a stunning 5-0 win over the Melbourne Victory in a game that left most speechless.
The result is the Phoenix’s best so far this season and has closed the gap between them and the logjam of teams stuck in the middle of the table.
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The Phoenix came out all guns blazing with the team’s dynamic Costa Rican duo managing to secure all three of the Nix’s well-deserved goals in the first half.
Carlos Hernandez broke through the Victory’s defence first with a well-placed strike from just inside the box finding the bottom left corner, giving Wellington the early 1-0 lead.
The celebration and relief could be recognised instantly on Hernandez’s face as many had begun to doubt his ability to score.
With that goal came a fire from within for the Nix that the Victory could not seem to put out.
Michael Boxall and Stein Huysegems were the next to create opportunities with a great drive from Boxall saved by Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe.
The deflection from Coe opened up to a shot from Huysegems but two dedicated but desperate Victory defenders managed to keep it out.
The 39th minute saw the Victory receive their first chance of the first half through a free kick that went straight over the top of the goal.
Then came the second of the dynamic Costa Rican duo, Kenny Cunningham.
Appearing from almost thin air in the 40th minute of the game, Cunningham shot a perfect volley shot that went up over Coe’s head and down into the back of the goal.
Leaving everyone breathless, the goal finally backed why Ernie Merrick signed him and he could be on his way to proving his critics wrong.
The game looked set to go to the half at 2-0 until Hernandez received a penalty from a bad tackle that bought him down inside the box.
With baited breath, the crowd waited until finally Hernandez took the shot, sending Coe the wrong way and securing Hernandez’s second goal of the match.
Not only was the 3-0 lead the Phoenix’s biggest ever lead over the Victory, it’s the biggest lead they have had all season.
The second-half saw the Phoenix come out slower than in the firsthalf, giving the Victory a chance in the 49th minute to put something on the board.
However, Glen Moss then came to the party, saving a well=placed header from Archie Thompson to keep Victory at nil.
The introduction of Jeremy Brockie in the 80th minute added a late spark to a contest that seemed destined to ease to the end.
In the 84th minute, Brockie finally broke his scoreless drought, putting away a magnificent goal that took the Phoenix to 4-0.
Just when the game seemed to be coming to an end, Stein Huysegems showed he did not want to be left out of the attacking frenzy and scored the fifth and final goal of what can only be called the game of the season so far for the Phoenix in the 88th minute.
Victory coach Kevin Muscat will have a lot to work on with his chargers as the Victory look towards an Australia Day clash with rivals Sydney FC while the Phoenix will look to continue their climb up the middle of the table away to Adelaide.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Glen MOSS, 2. Manny MUSCAT, 5. Michael BOXALL, 9. Kenny CUNNINGHAM, 10. Stein HUYSEGEMS, 12.Tyler Boyd, 13. Albert RIERA, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 21. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 22. Andrew DURANTE Subs 15. Leo Bertos 20.Lewis Italiano (GK), 23.Matthew Ridenton, Roy Krishna. 11. Jeremy BROCKIE
Melbourne Victory: 1. Nathan COE (GK), 2. Pablo CONTRERAS, 3. Adama TRAORE, 6. Leigh BROXHAM (C) 7. Guilherme FINKLER, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 14. James TROISI, 16. Rashisd MAHAZI, 17. James JEGGO, 23. Adrian LEIJER. Subs: 20. Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 22. Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 26. Jordan BROWN, 27. Christopher CRISTALDO, 31. Dylan MURNANE.
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