Wellington Phoenix 1-1 Melbourne Victory: Vargas Salvages Point For Ten Man Victorians

Late show saves Merrick's men.

Dec 4, 2009 8:38:31 AM

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Nick Ward, Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory (Getty Images)

A late Rodrigo Vargas equalizer has rescued a point for the ten-man Melbourne Victory, the defending champions managing a 1-1 draw away against the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium this evening.
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Midfielder Nick Ward was sent from the pitch just before half-time, the Phoenix taking the lead through a characteristic Tim Brown goal.

They paid the price though for sitting deep and looking to contain the Victory in the closing stages, the visitors fighting hard and grinding out what could be another crucial point in the title race.

An open first half was devoid of goal-scoring opportunities as both sides cancelled each other out in the final third.

Carlos Hernandez’s harmless early volley and a comfortable early save from Langerak from a Paul Ifill strike probably the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock, outside of a driven effort by Hernandez that dipped over the crossbar later in the half.

The evenly contested clash change completely though on 40 minutes, Melbourne midfielder Nick Ward sent off for a second bookable offence, for the second time in the match unable to contain the impressive Troy Hearfield and bringing him down as he approached the penalty area from the right flank.

A lovely move from the Phoenix – enjoying their numerical advantage – ended the half, Locchhead and Daniel combining stylishly down the left touchline, the former hitting the by-line but seeing his low cross turned over the crossbar by Adrian Caceres.

It was the Victory though who should have taken the lead on 52 minutes, Carlos Hernandez leading a counter-attack out of his own penalty area, the ball moving through substitute Tom Pondeljak before Archie Thompson’s effort was turned away at the near post by the legs of Mark Paston.

Almost immediately Paul Ifill had an identical chance at the other end of the pitch but drew a similar response from goalkeeper Mitch Langerak.

With Hernandez and Thompson beginning to combine promisingly, the Victory were looking increasingly threatening and again came close to breaking the deadlock moments later.

The Socceroo was this time the creator, cutting the ball back for Hernandez, who saw his goal-bound effort diverted wide by the lunging body of Troy Hearfield.

That brave block proved to be yet another turning point in an entertaining clash, the breakthrough for the Phoenix coming on 58 minutes.

Leo Bertos brought down the ball and cut in onto his left foot, curling a dangerous ball into the area, headed home by the typically late-arriving Tim Brown.

It was the All White’s fifth goal of the season and his side might have had the second of their evening had substitute Costa Barbarouses realized he had time and space to finish from close range just four minutes later, instead rushing a headed effort and Langerak obliging

The Pheonix would pay for their wastefulness and indeed for opting to sit deep and try to defend their lead for the closing stages of the match, Carlos Hernandez first forcing Paston into a sharp low save before centre-back Rodrigo Vargas gave his side a hard-earned 86th minute equalizer.

Leigh Broxham delivered the corner, Vargas leaping and directing an intelligent downward header past Paston and into the far side of the net.

They might have had a comical late winner as well, Thompson forcing a mistake from Paston and his centre-back Ben Sigmund, the bouncing ball coming off the latter’s shins and trickling agonizingly past the left upright with Paston well off his line.

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com

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