Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano said he was “very, very proud” of Barbarouses.
“Last year I built around him. This season I tried to do the same with just a different dynamic and partnership. I think we’ve found it a little bit harder to create.
“Also, teams are putting a bit more of a focus on Kosta. They’re double-teaming him or man-marking him ... so he’s finding it harder to make those chances.
“For me, the most important thing is getting the ball to him so he can capitalise, and I think we’ll get there.”
Struggling to find enough fit players for the match, Italiano gave young striker Luke Supyk his first A-League start, coming in for defender Matt Sheridan who was concussed in the scoreless draw against Sydney FC last Wednesday.
Italiano was relieved to come away with the first win of the year.
“Happy’s not the word, I’m more satisfied,” he said. “We’ve had a really rough six to seven weeks.
“We dug in. At halftime I just reassured them there was enough opportunity to capitalise in some areas and gave the old famous ‘if we get one, we can get two’.
“I thought we could have hurt them a little bit earlier, but when confidence is at a minimum we’ll take that.”
Alby Kelly-Heald made some vital saves, savouring his first win as an A-League goalkeeper.
The Phoenix play defending A-League champions the Central Coast Mariners in Christchurch on Saturday.
– RNZ
