Soccer: Rookie leads the way as Phoenix outclass Victory

Marc Rojas. Photo / Getty Images

Led by another inspirational performance from rookie Marco Rojas, the Wellington Phoenix put on their best game face to outplay Melbourne Victory at Westpac Stadium last night.

The 9500 fans were again treated to some sublime soccer by the home team and left to wonder "what if" when comparing their deeds here with what they produce on the other side of the Tasman.

The first 45 minutes was a replay of the opening half the Phoenix turned in against the Newcastle Jets in their last outing at the stadium.

With one massive difference.

Pre-Christmas, the home side turned that domination into a match-breaking 3-0 lead. Last night, with around 60 per cent of first half possession, the Phoenix came up empty.

They led the "attempts" 10-1 (eventually 23-4) but only on a couple of occasions was Victory goalkeeper Michael Petkovic actually forced to make a save.

It was a firecracker start to the keenly-awaited fixture which pitted two of the only three coaches to tot 100 Hyundai A-League games against each other. The Victory were seeking to stretch their winning run to a club record five. They went away disappointed. Dejected.

While Herbert enjoyed what he was treated to, vastly experienced Victory boss Ernie Merrick despaired as his players failed to match the intensity the hosts brought to the ground.

Within 34 minutes Merrick had gone to his bench calling in Marvin Angulo and unleashing returning Danny Allsopp in an attempt to provide such much-needed attacking spark. In a frantic opening 25 minutes, eight corners, 6-2 to the Phoenix, were forced. None threatened to break the deadlock.

Rojas was again in the thick of it. He played an amazing 17 balls into the Victory penalty area in the first half alone but his endeavours went unrewarded as Tim Brown, Dylan Macallister, Andrew Durante and Nick Ward failed to break the deadlock.

Phoenix goalkeeper Danny Vukovic had an armchair ride behind his rejigged back four of Troy Hearfield, Ben Sigmund, Durante and Tony Lochhead on his return from injury.

Lochhead's return enabled Manny Muscat to return to his preferred midfield role where he, Brown and Vinnie Lia feasted on the 50-50 challenges which invariably went their way.

The second half was more of the same with one vital difference. After being denied by two world class Petkovic saves, the Phoenix finally, in the 68th minute, got the goal they absolutely deserved.

Lochhead found Rojas with a long ball on the left. Rojas fired to the far post from where Macallister, in his best match for the club, got his foot up to beat Petkovic.

Four minutes later the roles were revered with Macallister the provider for Rojas who was rewarded with a richly-deserved and superbly-struck goal for 2-0.

The Victory, without three of their stars - captain Kevin Muscat rested, Archie Thompson injured and Robbie Kruse on international duty - could not match the Phoenix who reminded their fans of what they did with a late season rattle a year ago.

The Phoenix play Central Coast Mariners away on Sunday and runaway leaders Brisbane Roar a week later in Brisbane.

Phoenix - 2

Melbourne - 0